GUWAHATI: Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and 2022 Asian Games gold medallist Pawan Sehrawat led India’s 501-member contingent at the opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya on Saturday, September 19.
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Bhaker and Sehrawat carried the Tricolour during the athletes’ parade at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, joining contingents from 45 countries and the OCA Refugee Team at the ceremony.
Sehrawat replaced shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor as India’s flag-bearer after Toor did not receive his ceremonial kit in time. The duo wore traditional navy blue attire while leading the Indian contingent into the stadium.
The Asian Games were formally declared open by Japan’s Emperor Naruhito 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.
The two-hour opening ceremony began with the Japanese national anthem and the raising of the national flag. Nine members of the Japanese Self-Defence Forces carried the flag onto the stage before it was hoisted.
The athletes’ parade followed the ceremony, with Afghanistan entering first. China was represented by a contingent of more than 800 athletes.
The Games will continue until October 4, with around 11,000 athletes competing across 43 events for 469 gold medals. The Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium will host both the opening and closing ceremonies.