Two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and defending Asian Games champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor will carry the Indian flag at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on September 19. Their appointments were confirmed on Friday, with India’s Chef de Mission Sahdev Yadav announcing Bhaker’s selection and the Athletics Federation of India confirming Toor as the second flag-bearer.
Bhaker made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by becoming the first Indian female athlete to win two medals at a single edition of the Games. She won bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol before teaming up with Sarabjot Singh to claim another bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol event.
Toor, meanwhile, has won gold at the last two editions of the Asian Games. He clinched the shot put title at Jakarta 2018 before successfully defending his crown at Hangzhou 2023, where he produced a best throw of 20.36m.
Both are among India’s leading medal hopes at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, which officially begin on September 19. India will have a 492-athlete contingent at the Games and will look to build on its record 107-medal haul from Hangzhou.
TWO CHAMPIONS LEAD INDIA
For Bhaker, the flag-bearing honour adds another milestone to a career that changed dramatically at the Paris Olympics. Her two bronze medals made her the first Indian female athlete to win multiple medals at one Olympics, putting her among the country’s most recognisable sporting figures.
Toor will head into the Games with the chance to extend an impressive Asian Games record. The 31-year-old has won the men’s shot put gold at the last two editions and will be chasing a third consecutive title in Aichi-Nagoya.
Their selection comes after India lost one of its biggest medal hopes before the Games. Neeraj Chopra withdrew from the Asian Games after suffering an ankle ligament tear in training, bringing his 2026 season to an early end.
INDIA’S CAMPAIGN ALREADY UNDERWAY
While the opening ceremony is on Saturday, India’s competition has already begun in several disciplines. Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza has reached the women’s singles semi-finals in teqball, putting her one win away from guaranteeing India its first-ever Asian Games medal in the sport.
The women’s cricket team have also begun their campaign, taking on hosts Japan in the quarter-finals. India bowled Japan out for 57, putting themselves in a strong position to progress to the semi-finals.
There was also some disruption faced by India during the traditional flag-hoisting ceremony on Friday, with the event delayed and subsequently affected by logistical issues. The focus, however, now shifts to the opening ceremony, where Bhaker and Toor will lead the Indian contingent into the Games.
For Bhaker, it is another major moment after her historic Olympic campaign. For Toor, it is an opportunity to lead India into an Asian Games where he will once again be chasing gold himself.
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