Asian Games 2026 Kicks Off in Nagoya with Indian Athletes in Spotlight
Asian Games 2026 Officially Commences in Nagoya
The 20th edition of the Asian Games was inaugurated at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium on Saturday. Leading the Indian delegation as flagbearers were double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat. India has sent a contingent of 501 athletes competing in 36 sports at this prestigious multi-sport event, which is scheduled from September 19 to October 4.
Flagbearers and Their Significance
Bhaker, who secured two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, shared the honor of carrying the flag with Sehrawat, a member of India's gold-medal-winning kabaddi team from the last Asian Games. Sehrawat stepped in as the male flagbearer due to technical issues affecting shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor.
POV: You’re walking out along with our flag bearers at the Opening Ceremony. The incredible moments as our contingent marches during the Opening Ceremony! As the @asiangames_2026 are officially open, here’s wishing our contingent the very best on a successful games ahead…
An Emotional Tribute from Manu Bhaker
For Bhaker, the event held deep emotional significance as she honored her late coach, Jaspal Rana, who passed away in June. "I miss Jaspal, sir, a lot. He was special to me; it's a very big emotional moment for me," Bhaker expressed after leading the Indian team.
Rana, a celebrated coach and recipient of multiple awards, including the Dronacharya Award, died on June 13 after health complications. He had a remarkable career as an international shooter, winning 15 medals, including nine golds, across four Commonwealth Games.
India's Aspirations and Key Athletes
Sehrawat aims to help India retain its men's kabaddi title, having previously won gold in eight out of nine editions of the Asian Games featuring this sport. India finished fourth in the medal tally at the last Games in Hangzhou, with a total of 106 medals, including 28 golds.
The Indian team includes five Olympic medalists, although defending javelin champion Neeraj Chopra has withdrawn due to an ankle injury. PV Sindhu will lead the badminton team, while Mirabai Chanu will head the weightlifting squad.
Focus on Athletics and Boxing
India's boxing team arrives in Japan following a successful Commonwealth Games, where they secured 10 medals, including seven golds. Athletics is expected to play a crucial role, with over 70 athletes participating. Notable competitors include Gulveer Singh, Tejaswin Shankar, and Olympian Sarvesh Kushare.
Toor, initially named as a flagbearer, aims for his third consecutive gold in men's shot put, having won at Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2023.
Team Sports and Olympic Aspirations
India will also strive to defend its titles in men's and women's cricket and kabaddi, as well as the men's hockey championship. Shreyas Iyer will lead the men's cricket team in the T20 format, while Harmanpreet Kaur will captain the women's team.
The hockey tournaments are particularly significant, as they serve as qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Winning teams will secure direct entry into the Games.
Japan's Third Time Hosting the Asian Games
This marks Japan's third time hosting the Asian Games, having previously held the event in Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994. With the opening ceremony concluded, Indian athletes are now focused on competing over the next two weeks, aiming to enhance their medal tally from Hangzhou and leave a lasting impression in Aichi-Nagoya.