Manu Bhaker Honors Late Coach at Asian Games 2026 Opening Ceremony
Emotional Tribute at the Asian Games
Nagoya, Japan - On September 19, double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker paid tribute to her late coach Jaspal Rana while leading the Indian team as flagbearer during the opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2026. The 24-year-old shooter shared this honor with Kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium, reflecting on the profound impact Rana had on her career and how his absence made the moment particularly poignant.
Bhaker expressed her feelings, stating, "I miss Jaspal sir immensely. He held a special place in my heart; this is a very emotional moment for me." Rana, a celebrated coach who received the Dronacharya Award, Arjuna Award, and Padma Shri, passed away on June 13 in New Delhi after facing health challenges.
Rana was a prominent figure in Indian shooting, boasting a career that spanned over three decades and included 15 medals, nine of which were gold, across four Commonwealth Games. His legacy extends beyond his achievements as an athlete, as he significantly contributed to the sport as a coach, nurturing junior talent and serving as a high-performance trainer.
As Bhaker prepares for her next international competition at the Asian Games, she will compete in the women's 10m air pistol, women's 25m pistol, and the mixed team event. Her role as flagbearer highlights her status as one of India's leading shooting athletes.
The opening ceremony marked the commencement of the 20th Asian Games, which will take place from September 19 to October 4, featuring a contingent of 501 Indian athletes competing in 36 sports.
Pawan Sehrawat, who stepped in as the male flagbearer due to technical issues with shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor, aims to help defend India's title in men's kabaddi, a sport in which India has historically excelled.
India's contingent includes five Olympic medalists, although defending javelin champion Neeraj Chopra has withdrawn due to an ankle injury.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. Other notable athletes include Lovlina Borgohain in boxing and Aman Sehrawat in wrestling.
The Indian boxing team arrives in Japan after a successful Commonwealth Games, where they secured 10 medals, including seven golds. Athletics is also expected to be a strong contributor, with over 70 athletes participating. Key athletes to watch include Gulveer Singh, Tejaswin Shankar, and Olympian Sarvesh Kushare.
India aims to defend its titles in both men's and women's kabaddi and men's hockey. Shreyas Iyer will captain the men's cricket team in the T20 format, while Harmanpreet Kaur leads the women's team. The hockey tournaments are crucial as they serve as qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
In squash, young talent Anahat Singh returns after her contributions to India's women's team bronze at Hangzhou 2023, where she also won a mixed doubles bronze with Abhay Singh.