Asian Games: Manu Bhaker, Pawan Sehrawat cherish flag-bearer honour ahead of opening ceremony
Bhaker and Sehrawat led a 503-athlete Indian contingent, with Sehrawat replacing Tajinderpal Singh Toor at the last minute.
- India's 503-athlete contingent officially begins its campaign at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday, September 19, 2026, competing across 36 sports with support from a 265-member team.
- India aims to surpass its 29-medal haul from Hangzhou 2022, where the country won six gold, 14 silver, and nine bronze medals, building on growing continental status.
- Athletics events begin September 23, though the squad faces a setback as reigning Asian champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra misses the Games due to injury, with Rohit Yadav and Yashvir Singh replacing him.
- Beyond continental glory, the Aichi-Nagoya Games serve as a critical qualification pathway for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with seven disciplines offering direct quotas for athletes.
- Around 11,000 athletes will compete in 43 sporting events across 54 venues spread throughout Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, representing a major logistical undertaking for this continental tournament.
32 Articles
32 Articles
Asian Games 2026 officially open; Manu Bhaker, Pawan Sehrawat lead Indian contingent
The 20th Asian Games were officially opened with a ceremony at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium here on Saturday, with double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat leading the Indian contingent as flagbearers.
Asian Games 2026 Opening Ceremony Highlights: Manu Bhaker, Pawan Sehrawat Lead India’s March As Emperor Naruhito Opens Asiad
Asian Games 2026 Opening Ceremony Highlights: Catch all the updates from the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 on Saturday, 19 September at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium, also known as the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, in Nagoya, Japan
The 20th Asian Games kicked off in Nagoya with a colorful and high-tech ceremony. Emperor Naruhito of Japan declared the Games open. Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat represented India in carrying the tricolor. However, many stadium seats were empty during the ceremony. 46 teams paraded. India will look to improve on its 2023 performance of 106 medals.
Neeraj Chopra extends best wishes to Team India for Asian Games 2026 - The Tribune
Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent participating in the Asian Games 2026, saying he was confident that the athletes would make the country proud.
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