• Source:JND
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The World Para Athletics Championships are all set to be held later this month at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Athletes from around 100 countries will be seen in action in this event, and it promises to be a nail-biting thriller.

The Indian contingent consists of 73 athletes. This tournament will have 186 medal events, of which 101 are for men, 84 for women, and one mixed category, and the number of events has increased to 15 as compared to the last edition held in Japan.

Rinku Hooda, who usually participates in the F46 javelin throw category, is all set to be seen in action during the upcoming tournament. Hailing from Rohtak, Haryana, Hooda was involved in an accident during his childhood, where he lost his left arm, but was able to find strength in sports.

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Hooda has played for India during the Rio 2016 Paralympics and was one of the youngest athletes in the Indian contingent. And has performed consistently in international events since then, which include the World Para Athletics Championship and the Asian Para Games.

During the 2023 and 2024 World Para Athletics championships, he had clinched the silver medal and now will try to change the colour of the medal this time.

During an exclusive interaction with the Daily Jagran, Hooda opened up about his plans to improve his skills, as the event will be held under familiar conditions in Delhi this month.

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Excerpts:

Q. What are your preparations for the World Para Athletics championships, and what are your thoughts on the same?

Rinku: My preparations are going on, and my event will be held on 29th September, and I will try to clinch the gold medal this time in the championships. I am completely ready. I'll probably be reaching Delhi on foot, running. Abhi aa raha hun bhagta bhagta (I am on my way now). The preparations haven't been different as such, but yes, it's been a busy calendar for me, as I competed across multiple events in 2025, including the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, Khelo India Para Games, National Games, and several others, adding a tad bit more load, but the hard work continues. I'm visualising how I want to cover all bases, but the focus remains on performing and bringing a medal again for India.

Q. How important is this tournament for you since it is considered the setting stage for the LA28 Paralympics?

Rinku: Since this tournament is being held in India for the first time, all the para-athletes will get to learn a lot from this, and all the upcoming youngsters will get to learn a lot from this event. There's still some time to go for the LA28 Paralympics, but all the World Championships leading up to it are really important for my preparations. What I couldn't do at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, finishing fifth, I want to make amends for and win a medal in 2028 for India.

Q. Who is the one para-javelin thrower that you are closest to, and what have you learned from them?

Rinku: As far as my bonding is concerned, I do share a great rapport with all the para-javelin throwers, whether they are from my category or from other categories, and we spend a lot of time together and tell each other about their flaws and mistakes. I try to be on good terms with everyone, even though during competitions, everyone is focused on giving their best, and there is less interaction. I’m good friends with Neeraj (Chopra), Navdeep (Singh), Sumit Antil, and others, and we interact and reflect outside of competitions.

Q. How well has your family supported you in taking up this sport?

Rinku: My family has supported me from the beginning in 2013. They have always backed me and have never stopped me from playing this sport. Whether I am playing in India or abroad, they have never stopped me. Yes, my family, friends, and lots of those related to me will all hopefully be there to support me, and I'll try my best to give them a happy send-off.

Q. What has your journey been like?

Rinku: One day, I was training in para-javelin just like that in the 200m, and it was the first time that I had picked a javelin, and after that day, I started playing this sport. I participated in a debut international event way back in 2015, where I failed to qualify for the next round, and then I went to Switzerland, where I qualified for the Olympics.

Q. What is the one message that you would like to give to the Indian fans ahead of the World Para Athletics Championship?

Rinku: I would like to tell all the Indian fans that this tournament is being held in India for the first time, so I would like everyone to come and support us so that we can win more and more medals for India. Please show up in numbers and motivate all the para athletes competing at the upcoming World Championships. We will try to do our best.