Rinku Hooda

{{Infobox sportsperson

| name = Rinku Hooda

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| nationality = Indian

| residence = Rohtak, Haryana

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|1|1|df=y}}

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| country = {{IND}}

| sport = Para-athletics
Javelin throw

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| nationals = {{gold1}} {{gold1}} {{gold1}} {{gold1}}

| paralympics = 2016 Rio: 5th

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Rinku Hooda (born 1 January 1999) is an Indian para javelin thrower who competes in the F46 category. He represented India at the 2016 Summer Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.{{Cite news |author=Nath, Joshua Arpit |title=Meet The 19 Paralympians Who Are Going To Make India Proud In Rio And Will Need Your Wishes |newspaper=The Times of India |date=4 September 2016 |url=http://www.indiatimes.com/sports/rio-olympics/meet-the-19-paralympians-who-are-going-to-make-india-proud-in-rio-and-will-need-your-wishes-260942.html |accessdate=4 September 2016}} He qualified to represent India at the 2024 Summer Paralympics at Paris, his second Olympics and finished at 5th spot with the best throw of 61.58 metres.{{Cite web |last=Sportstar |first=Team |date=2024-08-14 |title=India at Paris Paralympics 2024: Complete list of 84 athletes at Paralympics .|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/olympics/paris-paralympics-2024/news/paris-2024-india-paralympics-contingent-full-list-of-84-indian-athletes-qualified-sports-ministry-paralympic-games-news/article68512627.ece |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Sportstar |language=en}}

Early life and background

Rinku is from a small village on the outskirts of Dhamar, Rohtak, Haryana. He was introduced to the sport of Javelin by fellow Indian para athlete Amit Kumar Saroha. As a young boy, he had lost his left arm in an accident involving a fan blade. He is supported by Olympic Gold Quest, a sports NGO.

Career

Rinku competed in Rio in the same category as fellow Indian Para athlete and 2004 Paralympic Games Gold medalist Devendra Jhajharia. He came fifth, securing a new personal best of 54.39m.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rio-paralympics-javelin-thrower-devendra-jhajharia-wins-gold-1458335|title=Devendra Jhajharia Wins Javelin Gold At Rio Paralympics, Betters Own World Record|access-date=2017-12-16}}

He won a gold at the 22nd National Para Athletics Championships at Bambolim, Goa in March 2024. Earlier, he won a silver at the fourth Asian Para Games by throwing the javelin at 67.08m in China.{{Cite news |date=2024-01-12 |title=After gold in Goa, Rinku turns focus on Worlds |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/after-gold-in-goa-rinku-turns-focus-on-worlds/articleshow/106739765.cms |access-date=2024-08-14 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} In May 2024, he won a bronze in the men's F46 javelin throw event at the World Para Athletics Championship at Kobe, Japan.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-25 |title=World Para Athletics C'ships: Rinku Finishes Third In Men's F46 Javelin As Sri Lanka Lodge Complaint |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/others/world-para-athletics-cships-rinku-finishes-third-in-mens-f46-javelin-as-sri-lanka-lodge-complaint |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Outlook India |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2024-05-24 |title=World Para Athletic Championships: Rinku wins bronze in javelin throw, Sri Lanka lodges complaint |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/athletics/world-para-athletic-championships-2024-kobe-javelin-throw-f46-shot-put-f57-india-best-ever-medal-tally-athletics-news/article68210992.ece |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Sportstar |language=en}}