Asian Games 2026: Manu Bhaker, Tajinderpal Toor to Carry Indian Flag
Asian Games 2026 Names India鈥檚 Flag-Bearers
India will have two accomplished athletes leading its contingent at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2026, with shooter Manu Bhaker and shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor chosen as the country鈥檚 flag-bearers.
The announcement was made on Friday, September 18, a day before the opening ceremony in Aichi-Nagoya. India鈥檚 Chef de Mission Sahdev Yadav confirmed Bhaker鈥檚 selection, while the Athletics Federation of India later announced Toor as the second flag-bearer.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for September 19 at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium, formally marking the beginning of the continental sporting event.
Asian Games 2026: Manu Bhaker Brings Olympic History
Bhaker enters the Asian Games 2026 after a landmark Olympic campaign at Paris 2024.
The Indian shooter won bronze in the women鈥檚 10m air pistol and followed it with another bronze alongside Sarabjot Singh in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. She became the first athlete from independent India to win two medals at a single edition of the Olympic Games.
Bhaker also has Asian Games success behind her. At Hangzhou 2023, she was part of India’s gold-medal-winning women’s 25m pistol team. Her experience on major international stages makes her one of the prominent members of India’s delegation in Japan.
Her role as flag-bearer adds another significant moment to a career that has already included Olympic and Asian Games medals.
Asian Games 2026: Toor Chases Third Straight Gold
Tajinderpal Singh Toor will share the honour after establishing himself as one of India’s leading field athletes in recent Asian Games editions.
Toor won men’s shot put gold at Jakarta 2018 and successfully defended his title at Hangzhou 2023. He will now compete in Aichi-Nagoya with the opportunity to pursue a third consecutive Asian Games title.
His selection as flag-bearer also comes at an important stage of his career, with the shot put competition expected to be one of India’s events to watch during the Games.
Asian Games 2026 Begins With India鈥檚 Ambitions
The Asian Games 2026 will run from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya. India arrives after its record medal haul at Hangzhou 2023, where the country won 107 medals, including 28 gold.
The Indian contingent includes established names across shooting, athletics, badminton, wrestling, boxing, weightlifting and other disciplines.
With Bhaker and Toor carrying the national flag at the opening ceremony, India鈥檚 campaign will officially begin with two athletes who already have major continental and global achievements behind them.
The attention will then shift from the ceremony to competition, as Indian athletes begin their pursuit of medals across the Games.
