Asian Games Flag-Bearers Manu Bhaker and Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been selected to lead the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The two athletes were named India’s flag-bearers on September 18, ahead of the opening ceremony scheduled for September 19. The 20th Asian Games will bring athletes from across Asia together in Japan, with the Games running until October 4.

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Manu Bhaker to Lead India at the Opening Ceremony

Manu Bhaker is one of India’s leading shooting athletes and won two medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Her selection as an opening ceremony flag-bearer comes after a period of growing recognition for her achievements in international shooting.

Bhaker has also been an important part of India’s recent sporting success. Her presence at the Asian Games opening ceremony gives the Indian team a representative from shooting, one of the country’s major Olympic sports.

The 2026 Asian Games are taking place in Aichi-Nagoya, with events being held across venues in the region. The opening ceremony is being held at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. The Olympic Council of Asia confirmed that the ceremony would take place on September 19, marking the formal start of the Games.

Tajinderpal Singh Toor Joins as Co-Flag-Bearer

Tajinderpal Singh Toor will share the flag-bearer role with Bhaker. The Punjab-based shot put athlete is one of India’s most experienced field athletes and has won the men’s shot put gold medal at the previous two editions of the Asian Games.

Toor is also part of India’s athletics squad for Aichi-Nagoya 2026. The Athletics Federation of India selected him for the men’s shot put event as part of its 77-member athletics team. His inclusion reflects his continued role in India’s athletics programme.

The Indian athletics team includes several athletes who are returning to defend Asian Games titles. Along with Toor, the group includes athletes such as Avinash Sable, Parul Chaudhary and Annu Rani. Neeraj Chopra is also part of the athletics contingent and is aiming for another Asian Games title in men’s javelin.

India Sends 492 Athletes to Aichi-Nagoya

India has sent a 492-athlete contingent to the 2026 Asian Games. The team includes 265 men and 227 women, with athletics forming the largest group with 73 athletes.

India arrives in Japan after winning a record 107 medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. That total included 28 gold, 39 silver and 41 bronze medals. Athletics was India’s most successful sport in terms of total medals at those Games, winning 29 medals.

The Indian contingent in Aichi-Nagoya includes athletes from a wide range of sports. Shooting, athletics, badminton, boxing, wrestling, rowing and team sports such as hockey, cricket and kabaddi are among the disciplines represented.

A Major Asian Sporting Event

The Asian Games are organised under the Olympic Council of Asia and are one of the biggest multi-sport events in the region. The Aichi-Nagoya edition is the 20th Asian Games.

The Games opened officially on September 19 and will continue through October 4. Preparations were already underway before the opening ceremony, including team welcome ceremonies and the Asian Games torch relay. The torch travelled through Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya before reaching the final stage of the relay ahead of the opening ceremony.

The event is also taking place at an important time for Indian sport, with several established athletes competing alongside younger members of the national team.

Toor Targets Another Asian Games Title

For Toor, the Aichi-Nagoya Games provide an opportunity to continue his record at the continental event. He won gold in men’s shot put at the previous two Asian Games and is competing again in the same event in Japan.

The Athletics Federation of India lists Toor in India’s 2026 Asian Games athletics squad, with the men’s shot put competition scheduled during the Games. His current season records also show that he remains active at the national level. In an Indian Athletics Series competition in June 2026, Toor recorded a best throw of 20.72 metres.

Flag-Bearer Role Brings Different Sports Together

The selection of Manu Bhaker and Tajinderpal Singh Toor brings together two different areas of Indian sport. Bhaker represents shooting, while Toor represents athletics and the field events.

Their role at the opening ceremony also reflects the wider range of sports represented by India’s 492-member contingent. With the Games now underway, Indian athletes will compete across multiple disciplines as the country seeks to build on its record performance at Hangzhou.

The Aichi-Nagoya Games are also expected to provide a major stage for established Asian champions, Olympic medallists and emerging athletes from across the continent.