New Delhi: India made its presence felt at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday, with Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat leading the contingent into the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.
The ceremony marked the formal beginning of the 20th edition of the Asian Games, bringing together athletes from across the continent, according to reports.
Sehrawat was given the responsibility of carrying the Indian flag after two-time Asian Games shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor had to withdraw because of logistical issues. Toor had initially been named alongside Bhaker as India’s flag-bearer.
Bhaker is one of India’s prominent athletes following her performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she claimed bronze medals in the women’s 10m air pistol and the 10m air pistol mixed team events.
The Indian contingent presented a coordinated appearance during the parade. The women wore saris with patterned silver-grey borders, while the men appeared in matching navy blue jackets and trousers. A volunteer carrying a heart-shaped placard with India’s name walked ahead of the contingent.
The heart was also at the centre of the opening ceremony’s ‘Harmonic Heart Beat’ concept. The stage was designed in the shape of a heart, reflecting the theme of athletes from across Asia being united in spirit.
Nagoya-born Japanese filmmaker Yukihiko Tsutsumi served as the chief creative director of the ceremony.
Athletes representing all 45 National Olympic Committees under the Olympic Council of Asia took part in the opening ceremony. More than 11,000 athletes are expected to compete in 43 sports during the Games.
The host nation Japan received the biggest reception of the parade, with its athletes greeted by loud cheers as they entered the stadium.
The main ceremony was preceded by a warm-up programme featuring Japanese boy band INI and the Shigo District Bo-no-te Preservation Society.
The opening ceremony also marked the conclusion of the Asian Games torch relay. Beginning at Nagoya Castle on August 22, the relay travelled through all 40 municipalities of Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya’s 16 wards, involving around 1,000 torchbearers.
The relay included flame-lighting ceremonies connected to Tokyo and Hiroshima, the two previous Japanese cities to host the Asian Games, before the flames were brought together in Nagoya.
Japan is hosting the Asian Games for the third time. Tokyo hosted the country’s first edition in 1958, while Hiroshima hosted the Games in 1994.
The Asian Games will continue until October 4.
