Para javelin thrower Rinku Hooda (ANI Photo) The pain of losing his mother was still fresh, and a shoulder injury had disrupted his preparations. Yet, when Rinku Hooda stepped into the arena at the Asian Para Games, he had one goal in mind, to win gold for the person he had lost.

11m. 30m.'

I wanted to win gold for my mother' For Rinku, however, the medal was about much more than a place on the podium. It was a tribute to his mother, who passed away on August 8, leaving him to navigate personal grief while preparing for one of the biggest competitions of his season."

I was a little disturbed in the last two months. My mother passed away August 8.

I am still disturbed. It's okay from outside but it's not the same inside," Rinku told PTI from Nagoya."

I wanted to win this gold medal for my mother. So, I would like to dedicate this gold to my mother."

Rinku barely had time to come to terms with the loss before returning to training. After completing the 13-day mourning period, he resumed preparations on August 19, initially keeping the intensity low."

It happened on August 8. And on August 19, as soon as the 13th day (mourning period) was over, I started training.

But I started lightly," said Rinku, who trains at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Rohtak. His preparations suffered another setback when he sustained a Grade 1 shoulder tear, forcing him to rest for around 20 days.

The injury has since healed, although he continues to use taping as a precaution." I had an injury on my shoulder, a Grade 1 tear.

Then I rested for around 20 days. I have fully recovered from the injury.

Earlier, I used to do taping and stuff. I still do taping, but I didn't feel any pain," he said.

From a farming accident to the Asian Para Games podiumRinku's journey in sport began against difficult circumstances. At the age of three, he lost his left arm in a farming accident when it became trapped in a paddy-sowing machine, eventually requiring amputation.

The setback did not take away his passion for sport. While helping his father with farm work, Rinku continued participating in school-level state running competitions.