Asian Para Games 2026: Japan’s Ishiyama Completes Medal Set with 400-Meter Gold, Long Jump Bronze

Indian para-athlete Rinku Hooda clinched the gold medal in the men's javelin throw F46 event at the Asian Para Games, completing his country's medal collection. This victory added to his silver from 2022 and bronze from 2018. However, behind his triumphant spirit lies a personal tragedy that continues to shadow the athlete. In an emotional interview to The Free Press Journal, Rinku spoke about his mother's death, which occurred two months prior to the event, adding a bittersweet layer to his joy.

He admitted that although winning gold was immensely satisfying, the absence of his mother made the achievement difficult. Rinku expressed his love for his mother, saying, "I will always miss my mother throughout my life. Whether I win another medal or not, I will always miss her." Despite his success on the field, Rinku acknowledged that the emotional pain had not diminished.

He explained that even though it may appear that he is happy in front of others, the grief remains deeply personal. Rinku also revealed that his preparations were complicated by a shoulder tear he sustained just weeks before the competition, forcing him to miss around five practice sessions. However, after managing his workload carefully and testing his throwing action, he felt more confident and resumed training about two weeks before the event. His focus now is to prepare for the 2028 Paralympics.