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The Indian flag bearers for the Asian Games 2026 have been named. At the opening ceremony of the 20th edition of the continental tournament, Manu Bhaker and Tajinder Pal Singh Toor are set to lead the Indian contingent on Saturday, September 19.
Being named a flag bearer holds great significance for a player or athlete, as it is an honour to lead the country's contingent at a major international sporting event.
This year's tournament will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with the opening ceremony set to take place on September 19. The Asian Games 2026 will run through October 4, with athletes from across the continent set to take part in various sporting disciplines.
What is a Flag Bearer?
A flag bearer is a designated athlete or team chosen to carry their nation's flag at the head of the country's delegation during the opening or closing ceremony of a multi-sport event.
Being selected as a flag bearer is considered a great honour for an athlete as they get the opportunity to lead their country's contingent
Do You Know?
Earlier, a single athlete used to be chosen as the flag bearer. However, ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the International Olympic Committee decided to have dual flag bearers, with one male and one female athlete, as part of its efforts to promote gender equality.
The Olympic Council of Asia later adopted the same practice for the Asian Games, with countries choosing one male and one female flag bearer.
Since then, countries have had the option to have both a male and a female athlete represent their contingents as flag bearers at the Asian Games.
India Flag Bearers at the Asian Games
No confirmed records were found for India's flag bearers before the 1982 Asian Games. Below is the available list of Indian flag bearers from the 1982 onwards.
|
Year
|
Venue
|
Opening Ceremony Flag Bearer(s)
|
|
1982
|
New Delhi
|
Dr. Karni Singh
|
|
1990
|
Beijing
|
P.T. Usha
|
|
1994
|
Hiroshima
|
Raghubir Singh
|
|
1998
|
Bangkok
|
Dhanraj Pillay
|
|
2002
|
Busan
|
Dhanraj Pillay
|
|
2006
|
Doha
|
Jyoti Sunita Kullu
|
|
2010
|
Guangzhou
|
Gagan Narang
|
|
2014
|
Incheon
|
Sardar Singh
|
|
2018
|
Jakarta–Palembang
|
Neeraj Chopra
|
|
2022 (Held 2023)
|
Hangzhou
|
Harmanpreet Singh & Lovlina Borgohain
|
|
2026
|
Aichi-Nagoya
|
Manu Bhaker & Tajinderpal Singh Toor
|
India had a record breaking medal tally at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, winning 107 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze medals. India finished fourth in the overall medal tally at the tournament.
With so many talented names in the Indian contingent this year, expectations will be high for the country to once again break its previous medal record and rise further in the overall standings at this marquee Asian tournament.