Tokyo, Sept 19:
The opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2026 will be held today in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, marking the formal start of the continental sporting extravaganza.
Two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and two-time Asian Games champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been named India’s flag-bearers for the opening ceremony. Bhaker won bronze medals in the women’s 10m air pistol and mixed team 10m air pistol events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, while Toor has established himself as one of India’s leading shot put athletes with two Asian Games gold medals.
Around 500 Indian athletes are expected to compete across 35 sports at the Games. Athletics will have the largest Indian contingent, with more than 75 athletes set to represent the country.
India will look to build on its performances in previous editions of the Asian Games, with athletes across disciplines aiming to challenge for medals in Aichi-Nagoya. The Games will bring together athletes from across Asia for competition in a wide range of sporting events.
The 20th edition of the Asian Games will feature athletes from 45 countries and regions competing across 43 sports. Japan is hosting the continental multi-sport event for the third time, after Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.