Nagoya. The 20th Asian Games officially opened with a 'high-tech' opening ceremony at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium here on Saturday, marking the beginning of the mega sporting event after chaotic preparations.
Manu Bhakar and Tajinderpal Singh Toor brought glory to the country
India's Asian Games 2026 campaign was formally launched on Saturday, September 19 at the grand opening ceremony at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with two-time Olympic medalist shooter Manu Bhaker and shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor, the two-time defending Asian Games champion, leading India as India's flag bearer for the Parade of Nations.
The two-hour opening ceremony was attended by Emperor Naruhito of Japan, Empress Masako, Asian Games President Crown Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, along with President of the Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Joan bin Hamad Al Thani. Two Paris Olympics 2024 medal winners, Indian shooter Manu Bhaker and Kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat, will lead the 501-member Indian contingent in the players' parade.
Sehrawat has been made the flag bearer as shot put player Tajinderpal Singh Toor did not get the kit for the ceremony on time. Some competitions have already started. These also include women's cricket in which the Indian team led by Harmanpreet Kaur defeated host Japan by eight wickets on Friday and made it to the semi-finals. India is also in the race for a medal in tagball, which has been included in the Asian Games for the first time.
Quimsy D'Souza lost the women's singles semi-finals on Saturday and will now compete for the bronze medal. India had given its best ever performance at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. The Indian contingent had won a total of 106 medals, including 28 gold, and stood fourth in the medal tally.