New Delhi, Sep 18: Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and star shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor will carry the Indian flag at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, marking a special moment for two athletes who have made a strong mark on the international stage.
Bhaker has emerged as one of India’s prominent shooting stars following her historic performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she won two bronze medals. She secured a medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event and another in the mixed team 10m air pistol competition, becoming the first athlete representing independent India to win two medals at the same Olympic Games.
Her success has also extended to the Asian Games stage. Bhaker was part of India’s gold-medal-winning women’s 25m pistol team at the Hangzhou Asian Games, adding another major achievement to her growing international record.
Joining her as India’s male flag bearer will be Tajinderpal Singh Toor, one of the country’s leading field athletes. Toor has won Asian Games gold twice in the men’s shot put, first at Jakarta in 2018 and again at Hangzhou in 2022. His back-to-back victories have established him as a key figure in Indian athletics and give him the opportunity to lead the contingent at another major continental event.
The selection of Bhaker and Toor brings together two athletes from different sporting disciplines but with a shared record of international success. Their achievements also reflect the growing depth of Indian sport across shooting and athletics.
India enters the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after recording its strongest-ever performance at the 2022 Hangzhou edition, where the country won 107 medals, including 28 gold medals.
With athletes set to compete across disciplines including shooting, athletics, badminton, boxing, wrestling, hockey, cricket and weightlifting, the opening ceremony will formally begin another major campaign for the Indian contingent.
For Bhaker and Toor, carrying the tricolour at the ceremony will add another memorable chapter to careers already defined by major victories and international recognition.