Manu Bhaker had a borrowed kit at the Asian Games opening ceremony after his ceremonial attire did not fit

India’s two-time Paris 2024 Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat lead the contingent in the athletes’ parade during the opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: Manu Bhaker had a ceremonial outfit on loan for the opening ceremony in Nagoya after the one issued to her did not fit properly, according to family sources. Her father Ramkishan Bhaker told TOI that even the shoes provided to the Olympic medalist were of the wrong size.“Her shoe size was wrong. Manu wears a shoe size 5. The one she got was either a 4 or a 6. She borrowed a shoe that matched her size,” claimed Ramkishan.Family sources said that Manu received her ceremony kit but the size was wrong and the jacket did not fit her properly. She ended up wearing a set borrowed from a masseuse attached to the Indian Rifle Contingent.It is learned that the masseuse, who is attached to the shooting team through a private sponsor, provided the kit that fitted Manu and which she wore when she led the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony.Family sources said Manu had initially told the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) that she wanted to concentrate on her competition, with the pistol event starting on Monday, and concentrate on training and practice. However, after the sports authorities and staff of the IOA contingent in Nagoya decided that she would be the flag bearer, and after some persuasion, she agreed to take on the role.Manu, an Olympic medalist, ended up leading the contingent at the opening ceremony in a borrowed ceremonial dress.Bhaker, who won two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, will compete in the women’s 10m air pistol, women’s 25m pistol and mixed team 10m air pistol.