Asian Games open in Aichi-Nagoya as Manu, Pawan leads India on Parade of Nations

The 20th Asian Games were officially declared open in Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday when Japan’s Emperor Naruhito opened the Games during a colorful opening ceremony at the Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium. Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat led the Indian contingent during the Tricolor Parade of Nations as athletes from across Asia gathered in Nagoya.

Asian Games Opening Ceremony: How It Happened

Emperor Naruhito declared the Games open in the presence of Empress Masako, members of the Japanese Imperial Family, Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry. Japan’s Emperor Naruhito declared the Asian Games open during the opening ceremony (Reuters photo)

The two-hour ceremony began with the Japanese national anthem and the raising of the country’s flag. Nine members of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces carried the flag onto the stage before it was raised.

The stadium then plunged into darkness, with a floodlight illuminating the Japanese flag.

The ceremony also introduced Honohon, the official mascot of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Derived from the old Japanese word for “flame”, Honoho represents the passion, energy and determination of the athletes competing at the Games. The mascot reflects the spirit of competition and fire that drives athletes to pursue their dreams. Dancers perform with Aichi-Nagoya 2026 mascot Honohon during the opening ceremony (Reuters photo)

MANU, PAWAN LEAD OF INDIA

Bhaker and Sehrawat were India’s flag bearers at the opening ceremony at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium. A two-time Olympic medalist, Bhaker won two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She will compete in the mixed team events in the women’s 10m air pistol, women’s 25m pistol and 10m air pistol in Aichi-Nagoya.

Before the ceremony, Bhaker described being chosen as the flag bearer as a proud and emotional moment. She also reminisced about her early days in shooting and expressed her gratitude for the support she received throughout her career.

POV: You walk along with our flag bearers at the opening ceremony.

Incredible moments of our contingent marching during the opening ceremony! Like @asiangames_2026 are officially open, we wish our contingent the best for successful games ahead. pic.twitter.com/Kipe4elYGv— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) September 19, 2026

Sehrawat will be part of India’s campaign to defend the men’s kabaddi title. A male standard bearer was named after him bowler Tajinderpal Singh Toor was replaced due to technical problems. Toor didn’t get his party kit in time.

Sehrawat was part of the Indian kabaddi team that won the gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

India has won the men’s kabaddi gold medal in eight of the nine editions of the Asian Games since the sport’s team event debuted in 1990. The country’s only failure to win gold came in 2018 when India won bronze.

India won the title in Hangzhou, defeating Iran 33-29 in the final.

INDIA GOALS TO BUILD ON HANGZHOU

India has sent a 501-member contingent to Aichi-Nagoya and will compete in 36 sports. The team will try to build on something her best ever performance at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, where India won 106 medals, including 28 gold, and finished fourth in the standings.

India will compete in athletics, shooting, wrestling, boxing, badminton and several other sports. The country will also be represented in teqball and esports.

Some competitions started even before the opening ceremony.

The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women’s cricket team reached the semi-finals after beating hosts Japan by eight wickets on Friday.

He also took up football, basketball and several other sports. The first gold medal of the Games will be awarded on Sunday, with the triathlon among the events vying for the first title.

A high-class swimming competition will also start in Tokyo on Sunday. The field includes China’s 100m freestyle world record holder Pan Zhanle and 13-year-old sensation Yu Zidi.

45 NATIONS AT THE GAMES

The Parade of Nations featured contingents from 45 countries, along with the OCA Refugee Team, bringing the total number of participating delegations to 46.

Afghanistan was the first delegation to enter the stadium, while China attracted attention with a contingent of more than 800 athletes.

The games will be held from September 19 to October 4, and the opening and closing ceremonies will be held at Nagoya’s Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium.

Around 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and the OCA Refugee Team are expected to compete in 43 events with 469 gold medals on offer.

In addition to Olympic sports, the program includes regional favorites such as kabaddi and sepak takraw.

Esports will return after its debut at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Teqball, which combines elements of table tennis and soccer, and virtual taekwondo will debut at the Asian Games.

India is also in contention for a medal in teqball. Quimcy D’Souza lost the women’s singles semifinal on Saturday and will now fight for the bronze medal.

The opening ceremony came after days of organizational problems and was held in front of several empty seats in the stadium. Despite the relatively low turnout, the ceremony brought the participating nations together before the focus turned to the competition.

The Games are now officially underway and Indian athletes will begin their campaign across 36 sports as they look to better their record haul of medals from Hangzhou.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

19 Sep 2026 16:24 IST