Nagoya, September 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat will replace shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor as India’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday.
Sehrawat will lead the Indian contingent alongside double Olympic medallist and shooter Manu Bhaker at the ceremony, which will be held at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday evening.
An Indian Olympic Association (IOA) official said Toor would be unable to perform the role due to technical issues, resulting in the last-minute change.
The development comes as India’s athletics contingent continues its preparations for the Games. The track and field athletes have been based at the University of Tsukuba near Tokyo since September 13 for an acclimatisation camp and are scheduled to move to Nagoya on Monday. Athletics events are set to begin two days after their arrival.
For Sehrawat, the flag-bearing honour adds another milestone to an accomplished kabaddi career. He was part of India’s gold-medal-winning team at the previous Asian Games and captained the side during its successful campaign. He will now take on a supporting leadership role in the team, with Sunil Kumar serving as captain.
Sehrawat also led India to the title at the 2023 Asian Kabaddi Championship. His contributions to Indian kabaddi were recognised with the Arjuna Award in 2023.
India’s men’s kabaddi team will look to maintain its strong record at the continental event, with Sehrawat expected to play an important role both on the mat and within the team’s leadership group.
The opening ceremony will formally mark the beginning of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, bringing athletes from across the continent together at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium for the curtain-raiser.
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