Anurag Thakur Hails Rinku Hooda's Gold, Ajeet's Silver at Asian Para Games
Synopsis
BJP MP Anurag Thakur celebrated India's gold-silver sweep in Men's Javelin Throw F46 at the 2026 Asian Para Games, praising Rinku Hooda's season-best 65.11m gold and Ajeet Singh's 65.02m silver as a proud moment for the nation.
Key Takeaways
Rinku Hooda won gold in Men's Javelin Throw F46 with a season-best throw of 65.11 metres at the 2026 Asian Para Games .
Ajeet Singh claimed silver with a throw of 65.02 metres , completing an India 1-2 at the top of the podium.
The two athletes finished 'well ahead of the rest on the field,' according to BJP MP Anurag Thakur .
Thakur, a former Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, praised their 'extraordinary strength, precision and competitive spirit.' India's para-sports growth traces back to dedicated verticals under the Khelo India programme , launched in 2017 .
Two Indian javelin throwers just rewrote what a season-best looks like. BJP MP Anurag Thakur — former Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports — congratulated Rinku Hooda and Ajeet Singh on Monday, 19 October 2026, after the pair swept gold and silver in the Men's Javelin Throw F46 at the Asian Para Games 2026, dominating a field that never came close.
Thakur described it as 'a proud moment for Bharat,' extending his 'heartiest congratulations' to both athletes and noting that they finished 'well ahead of the rest on the field.' Hooda claimed gold with a season-best throw of 65.11 metres, while Singh followed with 65.02 metres to lock in silver — a margin of just nine centimetres between two Indians at the top of the podium.
Hooda and Singh's 65-metre double atop the F46 podium
The F46 classification covers athletes with impairment affecting arm function, making the technical demand of a full javelin throw even more pronounced. To put both Indian athletes past 65 metres in the same competition — with Hooda's effort standing as his season-best — signals a depth of preparation that goes well beyond individual talent. Thakur highlighted their 'extraordinary strength, precision and competitive spirit,' and on the evidence of the scoreline, it is hard to argue otherwise.
India's rising para-sports arc at continental level
The result fits a pattern that has been building for over a decade. India has progressively expanded its medal haul at continental and global para events since the 2010s, backed by dedicated support verticals under the Khelo India programme — launched in 2017 — which extended coaching and competition pathways specifically to para athletes. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has run those threads in parallel with able-bodied programmes, and moments like this gold-silver sweep are the visible dividend.
Thakur, who held the sports ministry portfolio before returning to Parliament from Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, has consistently amplified para-athletic achievements on the national stage. His post carries the hashtag #Cheer4Bharat, a rallying call that reframes para competition not as a separate category but as full-throated national sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the F46 classification in para athletics?
F46 is a para athletics classification for field events covering athletes who have impairment affecting one arm, such as limb deficiency or impaired muscle power, allowing them to compete on a level playing field.
What did Ajeet Singh achieve at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
Ajeet Singh won the silver medal in Men's Javelin Throw F46 at the 2026 Asian Para Games with a throw of 65.02 metres, finishing just behind fellow Indian Rinku Hooda's gold-medal effort.
What is the Khelo India programme and how does it support para athletes?
The Khelo India programme, launched in 2017, is a government initiative to develop grassroots sports in India. It includes dedicated verticals for para athletes, providing training support and competitive opportunities alongside able-bodied programmes.
Why did Anurag Thakur congratulate the para athletes?
As BJP Lok Sabha MP from Hamirpur and former Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Thakur regularly champions Indian sporting achievements. He praised Rinku Hooda and Ajeet Singh for their gold-silver sweep in javelin F46 at the 2026 Asian Para Games.
