'I wanted to win this gold for my mother': Rinku Hooda triumphs amid grief at Asian Para Games

Para javelin thrower Rinku Hooda (ANI Photo)

The pain of losing his mother was still fresh, and a shoulder injury had disrupted his preparations. Yet, when Rinku Hooda stepped into the arena at the Asian Para Games, he had one goal in mind, to win gold for the person he had lost.The 27-year-old Indian para-athlete fulfilled that promise on Monday, clinching the men's javelin throw F46 gold with an effort of 65.11m. He edged compatriot Ajeet Singh, who secured silver with a throw of 65.02m, while Indonesia's R Saktyono took bronze with 55.30m.

'I wanted to win gold for my mother'

For Rinku, however, the medal was about much more than a place on the podium. It was a tribute to his mother, who passed away on August 8, leaving him to navigate personal grief while preparing for one of the biggest competitions of his season."I was a little disturbed in the last two months. My mother passed away August 8. I am still disturbed. It's okay from outside but it's not the same inside," Rinku told PTI from Nagoya."I wanted to win this gold medal for my mother. So, I would like to dedicate this gold to my mother."Rinku barely had time to come to terms with the loss before returning to training. After completing the 13-day mourning period, he resumed preparations on August 19, initially keeping the intensity low.

"It happened on August 8. And on August 19, as soon as the 13th day (mourning period) was over, I started training. But I started lightly," said Rinku, who trains at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Rohtak.His preparations suffered another setback when he sustained a Grade 1 shoulder tear, forcing him to rest for around 20 days. The injury has since healed, although he continues to use taping as a precaution."I had an injury on my shoulder, a Grade 1 tear. Then I rested for around 20 days.

I have fully recovered from the injury. Earlier, I used to do taping and stuff. I still do taping, but I didn't feel any pain," he said.

From a farming accident to the Asian Para Games podium

Rinku's journey in sport began against difficult circumstances. At the age of three, he lost his left arm in a farming accident when it became trapped in a paddy-sowing machine, eventually requiring amputation.The setback did not take away his passion for sport. While helping his father with farm work, Rinku continued participating in school-level state running competitions.

His introduction to javelin came through Amit Kumar Saroha, an Indian para-athlete who has mentored and coached several young talents.Rinku announced himself on the international stage with gold at the Youth Asian Games in 2015, followed by silver at the World U20 Para Athletics Championships in Switzerland in 2016. He also competed at the Rio Paralympics that year, finishing fifth at just 18.

His medal collection has since grown steadily. He won bronze at the 2018 Asian Para Games and silver at the 2022 edition in China.

At the World Para Athletics Championships, he claimed silver in 2023 before winning gold in 2025.The F46 classification is for athletes with a single above- or below-elbow amputation, or an equivalent impairment.

Paralympic medal remains the ultimate target

Despite his success at continental and world level, one achievement continues to elude Rinku, a Paralympic medal. He finished fifth at the Paris Paralympics in 2024, and the experience has strengthened his resolve to return to the podium at the 2028 Los Angeles Games."I have not won a medal in the Paralympics. So, that is my target now. I will focus more on that. The qualification for the 2028 Paralympics will start five to six months before the Games," he said.