News Desk: The sporting spotlight turned to Japan on Saturday as the 20th Asian Games officially opened in Nagoya, bringing together athletes from across Asia for 16 days of high-level competition.
The opening ceremony at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium featured music, dance and fireworks, with Japan’s Emperor Naruhito formally declaring the Games open. The Aichi-Nagoya Games will continue until October 4, with athletes from 45 countries and regions competing across 43 sports and 469 medal events.
For India, the ceremony had a special focus as double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat led the contingent as flag-bearers.
Bhaker, who won two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, walked into the stadium carrying the Indian flag, while Sehrawat joined her after a last-minute change in the male flag-bearer lineup. Shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor, originally selected for the role, was replaced after a delay in receiving his official Games kit made it difficult for him to reach the ceremony on time.
As the Asian Games commence in Aichi-Nagoya, my best wishes to the Indian contingent. Each athlete has worked incredibly hard and shown remarkable dedication and determination. India is proud of them.
May they give their best, play well and shine! pic.twitter.com/FYokK9OTWK
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 19, 2026
Bhaker’s Emotional Tribute to Jaspal Rana
The moment carried added emotion for Bhaker, who remembered her late coach Jaspal Rana, one of the most influential figures in her shooting career.
Rana, a former Asian Games gold medallist, decorated shooter and Dronacharya Award-winning coach, died in New Delhi on June 12 at the age of 49 after cardiac complications. He played a major role in Bhaker’s development and her preparations for the Paris Olympics.
Rana’s sporting record was remarkable. He won 15 Commonwealth Games medals — nine gold, four silver and two bronze — across four editions. His transition from elite shooter to coach made him an important mentor for a new generation of Indian pistol shooters.
For Bhaker, leading India at the Asian Games so soon after his death was therefore more than a ceremonial honour. She became emotional while recalling Rana and acknowledged his contribution to her journey.
India Targets Another Big Medal Haul
India has sent 503 athletes — 269 men and 234 women — to Aichi-Nagoya, seeking to build on its record-breaking performance at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou.
India won 107 medals in Hangzhou, including 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze, finishing fourth in the overall medal table. The contingent now enters Nagoya looking to maintain its momentum across shooting, athletics, badminton, boxing, wrestling, weightlifting, archery and other disciplines.
Among the prominent names are PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu, Lovlina Borgohain and Pawan Sehrawat. Athletics will also be a major focus, although India’s biggest track-and-field star, Neeraj Chopra, will miss the Games after an ankle ligament injury brought his 2026 season to an early end.
Kabaddi, Cricket and Hockey in Focus
Kabaddi remains one of India’s traditional medal strongholds at the Asian Games, with Sehrawat expected to be central to the men’s campaign.
Cricket will also draw considerable attention, with both men’s and women’s T20 competitions on the programme. India has already begun its campaign preparations, with the men’s side led by Shreyas Iyer and the women’s team featuring Harmanpreet Kaur.
Hockey carries an added significance this time. The Asian Games are part of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualification pathway. Under the FIH system, the men’s and women’s Asian Games champions earn direct Olympic qualification, while other high-finishing teams can move into the Olympic qualification tournaments.
With the opening ceremony now complete, the focus shifts from flags and celebrations to medals. For India, Nagoya presents another opportunity to extend its recent Asian Games success — and for Manu Bhaker, the competition begins with the memory of a coach whose influence remains deeply connected to her career.
