Asian Games 2026 | ‘I didn’t sleep last night’: Pawan Sehrawat carried the Indian flag at the opening ceremony

Pawan Sehrawat and Manu Bhaker (Image credit: NEW DELHI: Indian kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat could not sleep after learning that he will carry the Indian flag at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games.Sehrawat was named co-flagbearer for India along with two-time Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker after a late change. Tajinderpal Singh Toor, who was earlier named as the flag bearer, was ruled out due to technical issues.The 2022 Asian Games gold medal-winning captain said he was so excited by the honor that he stayed up all night.

‘I didn’t sleep last night’

Sehrawat said he still had enough energy to carry the Indian flag despite not sleeping.“It’s a very proud moment for me. We have a training schedule. I normally train according to the schedule set by our coaches or the IOA. I didn’t sleep last night. I went to the gym this morning and came here.”“I was up all night. But I still have the energy to carry my nation’s flag in my hands. It is a proud situation for me,” Sehrawat said in an IOA video.

Only the older brother knew

Sehrawat said he did not immediately tell anyone about the news. He informed his elder brother Ankur only after calling him at night.“I told everyone in the morning (the flag bearer of the message). I didn’t tell anyone, not even my loved ones. I told everyone in the morning. I only informed my elder brother Ankur. I texted him last night because he called me at night,” he stressed.

“I’ll go with an Olympic medalist”

Sehrawat will share the honor with Manu Bhaker, who won two medals at the Paris Olympics.The kabaddi star said he was proud to walk alongside the decorated shooter at the opening ceremony.“I’ve already met her. She’s a very motivated athlete. It’s a proud moment for me too. I’ll be going with the Olympic medalist as a flag bearer.“It’s a good time for me to go with such a great athlete. When I met her for the first time, she gave a very motivational speech. She came to meet the entire Indian team. Today will be our second meeting,” he said.