Hokato and Soman chase Asian Para Games gold

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. 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.