It was a golden day for Indian para athletics as Rinku Hooda finally achieved his long-awaited breakthrough on the world stage, winning gold in the men’s javelin throw F46 final at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi.
His massive throw of 66.37m not only earned him the title of world champion but also shattered the championship record, making it a historic moment for Indian sport. Adding to the celebration, Sundar Singh Gurjar produced a stunning comeback performance with a throw of 64.76m to secure silver, giving India a remarkable 1-2 finish in one of the most competitive events of the championship. With Ajeet Singh Yadav narrowly missing a medal after finishing fourth at 61.77m, India came within touching distance of a podium sweep.
Rinku Hooda’s Long-Awaited Gold
For Rinku Hooda, this triumph was years in the making. Having consistently reached finals but missing out on the top prize at major international events, the 2025 World Championships proved to be his redemption. His record-breaking throw came early in the competition and set the tone for the evening. Rinku’s journey is a story of resilience and persistence. He first represented India at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, finishing fifth at just 17 years of age. Since then, he has been a regular on the international circuit, winning bronze at the 2018 Asian Para Games, silver at the 2022 edition, and silver again at the 2024 World Championships.
He also finished fifth at the Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 Paralympics, narrowly missing medals. His winning mark of 66.37m not only broke the championship record but also underlined his ability to challenge the world’s very best, including reigning Paralympic and world champion Varona Gonzalez, who was considered the man to beat.
Sundar Singh Gurjar’s Silver Comeback
If Rinku’s gold was a story of persistence, Sundar Singh Gurjar’s silver was one of resilience and revival. The 28-year-old, who won bronze at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and had been a consistent medal contender in the past decade, had endured a difficult phase with injuries and inconsistent form. On Tuesday, Sundar proved why he remains one of India’s finest para athletes. His best effort of 64.76m, registered in the fifth round, secured him silver and marked his first World Championship medal since 2019.
India came agonisingly close to making it a historic clean sweep. Ajeet Singh Yadav, who has shown steady improvement over the past two seasons, produced a solid throw of 61.77m, which placed him fourth, just outside the medals. Despite the disappointment of missing the podium, Ajeet’s performance adds to India’s depth in the event and underlines the nation’s growing dominance in para javelin.
The men’s F46 javelin throw has long been a marquee event for India at para athletics, producing multiple global contenders. Yet, despite the presence of world record holders and medal favorites, India had endured a frustrating run at the Paralympics and World Championships in recent years missing gold in Tokyo 2021, Kobe 2024, and Paris 2024, with the lone exception being a memorable victory in Paris 2023.
That history made the triumph in Delhi even sweeter. With Rinku finally crowned world champion and Sundar back on the podium, the event reaffirmed India’s status as a powerhouse in para javelin.
India’s strong showing was not limited to javelin. Several athletes delivered personal and season bests across disciplines: Dayawanti produced a personal best in the women’s discus throw F64 final but narrowly missed out on a medal. Ravi Rongali threw a season-best of 10.10m in the men’s shot put F40, finishing fifth, just 77cm shy of the podium. Ayush Verma improved his mark with every attempt in the men’s shot put F53 final, bettering his personal best of 6.64m multiple times before finishing fifth.
Though these athletes fell short of medals, their performances reflected the steady rise of Indian para athletics, where athletes are now consistently breaking personal barriers on the world stage.
The sight of two Indian flags on the podium in front of a packed New Delhi crowd was a moment of immense pride. For Rinku Hooda, it marked the culmination of years of near misses. For Sundar Singh Gurjar, it was proof that perseverance pays off. And for Indian para athletics, it was a reminder that the country’s athletes can dominate at the very highest level.
As the World Para Athletics Championships progress, India’s tally of medals is expected to rise further. But regardless of what happens next, Day 3 will be remembered as the day when India conquered the javelin world on home soil, in front of roaring supporters, and in record-breaking style.
Final Results – Men’s Javelin F46 (World Para Athletics Championships 2025):
🥇 Rinku Hooda (India) – 66.37m (Championship Record)
🥈 Sundar Singh Gurjar (India) – 64.76m
🥉 Varona Gonzalez (Cuba) – 62.89m
4️⃣ Ajeet Singh Yadav (India) – 61.77m
India’s future in para athletics has never looked brighter, and the javelin throw remains its proudest symbol of strength.
