Hokato and Soman chase Asian Para Games gold

KOLKATA: Nagaland’s Hokato Hotozhe Sema heads into the Para Asian Games carrying both confidence and a touch of uncertainty. The world No. 2 shot putter in the F57 category was in good shape before an injury disrupted his preparations.“It was a minor injury near the hip region. I did the required exercises and it’s fine now. I am confident of achieving my personal best,” said the Paris Paralympics bronze medallist.While he may not have had the smoothest build-up to the Games, 2026 has still been a memorable year for Hokato. The 42-year-old became world No. 1 in his category and also set a national record with a massive throw of 15.21m at the Indian Open Para Athletics Championships in Bengaluru.But Hokato knows that if he is to stand atop the podium, he may have to get past a familiar face: Soman Rana.Ranked world No. 3, 43-year-old Soman Rana arrives at the Asian Para Games as the reigning Commonwealth Games champion and a two-time World Championships silver medallist, having finished runner-up in 2024 and 2025.The pair have trained together at the Army Paralympic Node in Pune since 2017 under coach Rakesh Rawat, developing both a strong friendship and a fierce rivalry. “We’re very close friends. We eat together, train together and spend a lot of time together. Our coordination is excellent,” said Soman, who suffered a mine blast injury while serving with the 2/8 Gorkha Rifles along the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir on Dec 1, 2006.For Hokato that friendship comes with an added competitive edge. “There is definitely a lot of competitiveness. We train together and help each other improve, but once competition starts, everyone wants to win,” he said.Rawat believes that rivalry has been one of the biggest reasons behind their development on the international stage.“They motivate each other a great deal,” Rawat said. “Training together gives them valuable experience. They are friends and support each other, but once competition begins, friendship takes a back seat and they become rivals. The one who performs best on the day wins.”The coach expects both throwers to be in contention for medals and insists there is little to separate them. “The rivalry between them has helped both improve. They are very closely matched. On the day, it could go either way,” he said.Soman agrees, although his Commonwealth Games gold is likely to provide an added boost. “The gold gave me a lot of confidence. But I’ve been in this sport for many years. My confidence was already there and winning the medal only strengthened it,” he said.While both athletes believe a podium finish is within reach, neither is willing to predict who will come out on top.For Hokato, however, a gold medal would carry special significance. Since winning bronze in Paris, the road has not been easy. His father passed away last Dec, while he has also been overseeing the construction of a house in his village of P. Vihoto in Nagaland and supporting his daughter, who recently began an MBA programme in Pune.On the field, injuries disrupted his season and forced him to miss the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in New Delhi. Yet, despite the setbacks, Hokato has remained focused on recovery and training.“Recovery is crucial. If you don’t recover properly, there’s no point competing. You can travel all that way and still return empty-handed,” he said.Now, he is eager to return to competition and renew his rivalry with Soman on one of para athletics’ biggest stages. For India, it could be an ideal scenario: two close friends pushing each other every day in training before battling for continental glory when it matters most.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.