Kabaddi sensation Pawan Sehrawat and celebrated shooter Manu Bhaker proudly spearheaded the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The ceremony, held at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, formally commenced the continental sporting spectacle.
India is represented by a robust 503-member athlete delegation, competing across 36 diverse sports at the prestigious event.
Sehrawat's Surprise Role as Flag-Bearer
Pawan Sehrawat's role as the male flag-bearer came as a last-minute change. He stepped in after shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor was unable to attend the ceremony due to an unforeseen technical issue concerning his official kit. The Indian Olympic Association confirmed this change, allowing Sehrawat to join Bhaker in leading the nation's athletes.
Expressing his immense pride, Sehrawat shared his excitement despite the short notice. "It is a very proud moment for me... I did not sleep last night," he stated, adding, "But I still have the energy to carry my nation's flag in my hands." He also spoke of the memorable experience of sharing the honour with a prominent athlete like Bhaker, noting her motivating presence.
Bhaker Reflects on Her Journey
For Manu Bhaker, a double Olympic medallist, carrying the flag evoked a strong sense of nostalgia and achievement. Reflecting on her journey from a teenage debutant at her first Asian Games to now being a flag-bearer, she described the feeling as "heartwarming."
"When I started, I never thought that this was where I could reach one day in my sport. So, it is definitely a very heartwarming feeling. I feel really proud, really honoured, and really, really happy to be chosen as the flag bearer for my country."
Bhaker recalled missing the opening ceremony during her initial Asian Games appearance in 2018 and the valuable advice from her late coach, Jaspal Rana, emphasizing energy conservation before competitions. She encouraged her fellow Indian athletes to fully embrace the experience. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and experience. We have to make sure that we enjoy this time rather than complain, and have the best time of our lives," she urged.
Looking ahead, Bhaker is slated to compete in the women's 10m air pistol, women's 25m pistol, and 10m air pistol mixed team events. Sehrawat, who was part of India's gold-winning kabaddi team at the 2022 (Hangzhou) Asian Games, aims to help India maintain its dominant performance in the men's kabaddi competition.