Manu Bhaker has gained another big sporting honour being named one of India’s flag-bearers for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The Olympic medal-winner will be the Indian flag bearer alongside the world-class shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor for the first time during the continental multi-sport event on September 19.
Bhaker’s appointment was announced by India’s Chef de Mission Sahdev Yadav, while the Athletics Federation of India confirmed Toor as the second flag-bearer. The selection acknowledges the achievements of two athletes who have established themselves among India’s top names on the international sporting stage.
Manu Bhaker’s Olympic success.
Bhaker enters the Asian Games after a remarkable performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The shooter was the first Indian in independent India to win two medals at the same Olympic Games.
She first won a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event. Bhaker later won another bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol competition with Sarabjot Singh. Her double medal performance made her one of the most recognized figures in Indian shooting and a landmark event in the nation’s Olympic history.
The Asian Games flag-bearer honour is another milestone for Bhaker. In the continental competition which will bring together world-class athletes from all over Asia, her presence for the opening ceremony will place one of India’s most successful recent Olympic performers at the heart of the country’s delegation.
Tajinderpal Singh Toor’s Asian Games Record
Tajinderpal Singh Toor will carry the Indian flag at the opening ceremony alongside Bhaker. The shot putter has already enjoyed big success at the Asian Games and won the men’s shot put gold medal at two consecutive editions.
Toor won gold at the 2018 Asian Games before defending his title at the 2022 edition. His back-to-back continental titles have made him an important figure in Indian athletics and one of the country’s medal claimants.
The pairing of Bhaker and Toor also represents India’s performance in all sports, and shooting and athletics are expected to be key in the country’s campaign.
Neeraj Chopra to Miss Asian Games
India’s campaign will not have one of its biggest athletics stars. Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has been ruled out of the Asian Games after it was discovered that he had an ankle ligament tear in training.
Chopra ended his 2026 season as he is recovering. His absence means India will need to look to other athletes for their contributions in athletics, and Toor will be among the world-class players who will have the most to take charge.
India’s Asian Games action already Underway
Although the opening ceremony is scheduled for September 19, Indian athletes have already begun competing in events at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Teqball has given India an early chance to win a historic medal.
Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza has reached the women’s singles semi-finals after winning both of her group-stage games. She defeated Japan’s Yuina Sakamoto before defeating Cambodia’s Koemyean Dy. Dsouza finished top of her group with a direct place in the final four.
Her progress is significant because teqball is making its Asian Games debut in Aichi-Nagoya. A win in the semifinal would guarantee India its first-ever Asian Games medal in the sport.
Dsouza will meet Indonesia's Sumaya in the semifinal. If she does not get to the final she will still have a shot at bronze in the medal match against the loser of the other semifinal between Myanmar’s Wai Khin Hin and Lebanon’s Kamar Dandal.
India Women’s Cricket Team Getting Strong Start.
India’s women’s cricket team has also begun its Asian Games campaign. In the fourth quarter-final against Japan, Japan were bowled out for 57 in 19.5 overs.
India made a quick start on the chase and at the latest update were 38/2 after 3.5 overs and required 21 more runs to win. Shafali Verma was unbeaten on 24 in 10 deliveries as her innings had four fours and a six, while Richa Ghosh was 7 from four deliveries.
For Japan, Nonoha Yasumoto and Ayaka Kato-Stafford had taken one wicket each.
With so many events already on the way and the opening ceremony very soon to come, the focus now turns to India’s wider medal campaign in Aichi-Nagoya. Manu Bhaker and Tajinderpal Singh Toor as flag-bearers will certainly be a big start to the Indian delegation’s involvement in the 2026 Asian Games.
