Asian Games open in Nagoya with colourful ceremony as Manu, Pawan lead India
The 20th Asian Games were officially declared open in Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday as Japan's Emperor Naruhito inaugurated the Games during a colourful opening ceremony at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat led the Indian contingent during the Parade of Nations, carrying the Tricolour as athletes from across Asia gathered in Nagoya.
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-Defence Forces carried the flag onto the stage before it was hoisted.
The stadium then plunged into darkness, with a spotlight illuminating the Japanese flag.
The ceremony also introduced Honohon, the official mascot of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Derived from an old Japanese word for "flame", Honoho represents the passion, energy and determination of athletes competing at the Games. The mascot reflects the spirit of competition and the fire that drives athletes to chase their dreams. Dancers perform with Aichi-Nagoya 2026 mascot Honohon during the opening ceremony (Reuters Photo) MANU, PAWAN LEAD INDIABhaker and Sehrawat were India's flag-bearers for the opening ceremony at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium. Bhaker, a double Olympic medallist, won two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She will compete in the women's 10m air pistol, women's 25m pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team events in Aichi-Nagoya.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Bhaker described being chosen as a flag-bearer as a proud and emotional moment. She also recalled her early days in shooting and expressed gratitude for the support she has received during her career.POV : Youβre walking out along with our flag bearers at the Opening Cermony.The incredible moments as our contingent marches during the Opening Ceremony! As the @asiangames_2026 are officially open, hereβs wishing our contingent the very best on a successful games ahead. pic.twitter.com/Kipe4elYGvβ Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) September 19, 2026
Sehrawat will be part of India's campaign to defend the men's kabaddi title. He was named the male flag-bearer after shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor was replaced because of technical issues. Toor did not receive his ceremonial kit in time.
Sehrawat was part of India's gold-medal-winning kabaddi team at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
India have won the men's kabaddi gold medal at eight of the nine Asian Games editions since the sport's team event debut in 1990. The country's only failure to win gold came in 2018, when India took bronze.
India reclaimed the title at Hangzhou, beating Iran 33-29 in the final.INDIA AIM TO BUILD ON HANGZHOU
India have sent a 501-member contingent to Aichi-Nagoya and will compete across 36 sports. The team will look to build on its best-ever Asian Games performance at Hangzhou in 2023, 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 feature in teqball and esports.
Some competitions had already begun before the opening ceremony.
The Indian women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, reached the semi-finals after beating hosts Japan by eight wickets on Friday.
Football, basketball and several other sports have also started. The first gold medal of the Games will be awarded on Sunday, with triathlon among the events in contention for the first title.
A high-class swimming competition will also begin in Tokyo on Sunday. The field includes China's 100m freestyle world record holder Pan Zhanle and 13-year-old sensation Yu Zidi.advertisement45 NATIONS AT THE GAMESThe Parade of Nations featured contingents from 45 countries, along with the OCA Refugee Team, taking the total number of participating delegations to 46.
Afghanistan were 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, with Nagoya City's Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium hosting both the opening and closing ceremonies.
Around 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and the OCA Refugee Team are expected to compete across 43 events, with 469 gold medals on offer.
Alongside the Olympic sports, the programme includes regional favourites such as kabaddi and sepak takraw.
Esports will return after making its debut at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Teqball, which combines elements of table tennis and football, and virtual taekwondo will make their Asian Games debuts.
India are also in contention for a medal in teqball. Quimcy D'Souza lost her women's singles semi-final on Saturday and will now compete for the bronze medal.
The opening ceremony came after days of organisational problems and was held in front of several vacant seats in the stadium. Despite the relatively low turnout, the ceremony brought the participating nations together before the focus turns to competition.
With the Games now officially open, India's athletes will begin their campaign across 36 sports as they look to improve on their record medal haul from Hangzhou.- EndsPublished By: Saurabh KumarPublished On: Sep 19, 2026 16:24 IST
