Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat to carry India’s flag at Asian Games opening ceremony in Nagoya
Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat will be India’s flag-bearers at the opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, on September 19, 2026. Sehrawat replaced shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor after Toor did not receive his official ceremonial kit and therefore cannot attend the ceremony.
Toor, who is aiming for his third straight Asian Games gold in shot put, was the original choice as India’s male flagbearer. Manu Bhaker, chosen as the female flagbearer, won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics. At the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023, India finished fourth with a record 106 medals overall, including 28 gold.
The size of India’s delegation has been reduced from more than 650 athletes across 40 disciplines three years ago following rationalisation, a change described as discouraging a mad rush driven by perks and money associated with the Asiad. Indian sports authorities expect around 100 medals at Nagoya, a target the delegation says could improve the athlete-to-medal ratio. Members of the Indian contingent took part in a flag-hoisting ceremony at the garden pier near Nagoya port on September 18, 2026.
The 20th Asian Games will open at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya and feature competition across more than 40 sports. Organisers note the event has more participants than the Olympics. The Games’ schedule runs from September 19 until the closing on October 4.
The first gold medal is expected to be decided on the morning of Sunday, September 20, likely in the men’s individual triathlon, and will be followed by 468 more medals across the programme. Competition will continue through October 4 when the Games conclude.
India’s men’s cricket team has faced jersey sizing issues ahead of its departure, with members awaiting the right-size kits in the early hours of Sunday; the issue prompted the BCCI to arrange accommodations independently. Indian athletes have been named among the key competitors to watch at these Games, including established names listed in the delegation.
Medal events begin on September 20 and the Asian Games will close on October 4, with Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat leading India’s contingent into the opening ceremony on September 19 in Nagoya.
