Since the last two months, Rinku Hooda was “disturbed” as his mother passed away in August. But the personal tragedy did not affect his determination to win a gold medal in the ongoing Asian Para Games. He did precisely that in Nagoya on Monday, winning the men’s javelin throw F46 gold. He dedicated the medal to his mother.
“I was a little disturbed in the last two months. My mother passed away on 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.”
The 27-year-old from Dhamar, Haryana, could not get time to spend with his family after the death of his mother as he had to rush for training after the 13-day mourning period.
“It (his mother’s passing away) 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. But a shoulder injury forced him to take rest for nearly three weeks.
“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.
Rinku produced a throw of 65.11m to take the gold, edging compatriot Ajeet Singh. Ajeet managed 65.02m to secure the silver.
Indonesia’s R Saktyono, the only other competitor in the three-man field, took the bronze with a throw of 55.30m. The F46 classification is for athletes with a single above or below-elbow amputation, or an equivalent impairment.
Rinku’s life changed when he was three years old, as he lost his left-arm in a farming accident. He had to undergo an amputation after his arm got stuck in a paddy sowing machine. Rinku won a bronze in the 2018 Asian Para Games and a silver in the 2022 edition in China. He also won a silver and a gold in the 2023 and 2025 World Para Athletics Championships. Now, only a Paralympic medal is missing from his cabinet.