Nagoya, September 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The 20th Asian Games officially opened in Nagoya on Saturday, with Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat leading the Indian contingent into the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito formally declared the Games open, marking the ceremonial beginning of the continental sporting extravaganza that will bring together thousands of athletes from across Asia over the next two weeks.
Bhaker and Sehrawat carried the Indian tricolour as flagbearers, representing two distinct sporting traditions. Bhaker brought the experience and recognition of an Olympic medallist, while Sehrawat represented kabaddi, one of India’s most successful indigenous sports, and the country’s gold-medal-winning campaign at the previous Asian Games.
Sehrawat was named as the male flagbearer at the last moment after shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor, who had originally been selected for the role, was unable to participate in the ceremony due to a technical issue.
Once the Indian contingent entered the stadium, the last-minute change became secondary to the occasion as athletes waved to spectators and marched through the arena behind the tricolour.
The opening ceremony combined traditional Japanese cultural elements with contemporary performances, music and technology, highlighting the country’s heritage and modern identity. The presence of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako among the dignitaries added to the significance of the ceremony.
The ceremony provided athletes with a moment to celebrate together before the focus shifts to competition, with events across disciplines set to bring the familiar demands of targets, timings, tactics, points and medals.
India enters the Nagoya Games with the memory of a record-breaking performance at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where the country won 107 medals, including 28 golds.
That campaign set a new benchmark for Indian sport, but the Nagoya edition presents a fresh opportunity for established champions and emerging athletes alike to create their own mark on the continental stage.
For India’s athletes, the opening ceremony offered the first major memory of the Games. The medals, however, will now take centre stage as competition gets underway in Nagoya.
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