Full Breakdown
Flag-Bearer Switch for India at the 2026 Asian Games Opening Ceremony
By Drooid · · How we work
Flag-Bearer Switch Due to Kit Delay
India’s opening-ceremony flag-bearers were altered at the last minute when shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor could not obtain his official kit in time for the ceremony in Nagoya. Pawan Sehrawat, a gold-medal-winning kabaddi player from the previous Asian Games, was appointed to replace Toor and will march alongside shooter Manu Bhaker. Chef-de-mission Sahdev Yadav confirmed the change to PTI.
Background & Context
The Indian contingent’s original flag-bearers were announced on the Friday before the ceremony: Bhaker, a Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist, and Toor, the defending Asian Games shot-put champion. The athletics squad has been based at the University of Tsukuba near Tokyo since September 13 for an acclimatisation camp. The team is scheduled to travel to Nagoya on September 21, two days before the athletics events commence.
Data & Statistics
- Pawan Sehrawat – 30 years old; member of India’s gold-medal-winning men’s kabaddi team at the 2018 Asian Games.
- Tajinderpal Singh Toor – 31 years old; two-time Asian Games shot-put champion (2018, 2023).
- Manu Bhaker – 24 years old; Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist in 10 m air pistol.
- Indian delegation: roughly 500 athletes competing in 35 sports.
- The opening ceremony began at 6 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. IST) on September 19, 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
- Sahdev Yadav (Chef-de-mission) announced that Sehrawat would assume the flag-bearing role after Toor’s inability to attend.
- Tajinderpal Singh Toor explained to PTI that his kit was expected to arrive at Nagoya airport at 3 p.m., leaving insufficient time to collect it and reach the ceremony venue.
- Toor also said the late notification of his flag-bearer duties prevented his coach, who had already arrived in Japan, from retrieving the kit on his behalf.
Timeline
- September 13 – Indian athletics team begins acclimatisation camp at the University of Tsukuba.
- September 19 – Opening ceremony in Nagoya; original flag-bearers Bhaker and Toor announced.
- September 19 – Toor reports kit delay and withdraws from the ceremony; Yadav confirms Sehrawat’s replacement.
- September 21 (scheduled) – Full Indian contingent travels from Tsukuba to Nagoya ahead of athletics events.
What’s Next
The Indian athletics squad will continue its preparation in Tsukuba before moving to Nagoya on September 21. Tajinderpal Singh Toor remains at the training base and will compete in the shot-put event, while Pawan Sehrawat will focus on his kabaddi matches. The Games, officially opening on September 19, 2026, will feature India’s athletes across the 35 sports in the schedule that follows.