Rinku Hooda Wins Gold Medal at Asian Para Games 2026 in Javelin Men's F46
Indian para-athlete Rinku Hooda has clinched a historic gold medal in the Men's Javelin Throw F46 event at the ongoing 5th Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on October 19, 2026. The 27-year-old delivered a dominant performance at the Nagoya City Mizuho Athletic Stadium, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Star Indian para-athlete Rinku Hooda today, October 19, 2026, delivered a sensational performance to secure the gold medal in the Men's Javelin Throw F46 category at the ongoing 5th Asian Para Games. His triumph in Aichi-Nagoya marks a momentous occasion for India, kicking off the track and field events with a top podium finish. The 27-year-old from Haryana demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, outshining a strong field of competitors at the Nagoya City Mizuho Athletic Stadium. Soumya Kumar Wins Gold Medal at Asian Para Games 2026 in Women's 1500m T12/T13.
Aichi-Nagoya 2026: Games in Full Swing
The 5th Asian Para Games, officially known as Aichi-Nagoya 2026, commenced on October 18, 2026, and will continue until October 24, 2026, across various venues in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan. The opening ceremony, held yesterday at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, set the stage for a week of inspiring athletic prowess. Approximately 3,000 athletes from 45 National Paralympic Committees are participating in 18 sports, all vying for continental glory. India has fielded a strong contingent, aiming to build on its record-breaking medal haul from the previous edition.
Rinku Hooda's Journey to Gold
Rinku Hooda, born on January 1, 1999, has been a prominent figure in Indian para-athletics for years. Competing in the F46 classification for athletes with upper limb impairments, he has consistently delivered impressive results on the international stage. His career highlights include a gold medal at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships with a meet record throw of 66.37m, and another gold at the 2025 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in New Delhi.
His journey at the Asian Para Games has seen him steadily climb the podium. He previously secured a bronze medal at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Para Games and a silver medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games, where he registered a throw of 67.08m. Today's gold medal completes his set of Asian Para Games accolades, solidifying his status as one of the region's elite javelin throwers. Nishad Kumar Wins Gold Medal at Asian Para Games 2026 in Men’s Long Jump T47.
| Rinku Hooda - Key Achievements |
|---|
| Event |
| Asian Para Games 2026 |
| World Para Athletics C'ships |
| World Para Athletics Grand Prix |
| Asian Para Games |
| World Para Athletics C'ships |
| Asian Para Games |
| Rio Paralympics |
| Paris Paralympics |
Indian Stronghold in F46 Javelin
India's dominance in the Men's Javelin F46 event was further highlighted as Rinku Hooda's compatriot, Ajeet Singh Yadav, also competed in today's final, making it a strong showing for the nation. The country's para-athletes have consistently excelled in track and field, with para-athletics being a major contributor to India's medal tally in previous editions of the Games.
This gold medal from Rinku Hooda serves as an immense inspiration and sets a positive tone for India's campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games. With several more days of competition ahead, the nation will be eagerly watching for further triumphs from its dedicated para-athletes.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 19, 2026 04:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
