Why Pawan Sehrawat replaced Tajinderpal Singh Toor as India's flag-bearer for Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony?
(Courtesy :Â @pawan_sehrawat/Instagram)
Sehrawat will partner Manu Bhaker in the opning ceremony
Seasoned kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat has replaced Tajinderpal Singh Toor as India’s flag-bearer for the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony.
He will now join two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker in leading the Indian contingent out and carrying the national flag at the opening ceremony later today.
Sehrawat, 30, was part of the Indian side that clinched gold medal in men’s kabaddi at Hangzhou 2022 and will hope to replicate that result in Aichi-Nagoya. He has also been named India’s vice-captain for the quadrennial event.
Why Tajinderpal Singh Toor was replaced as the flag-bearer?
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A two-time reigning Asian Games champion, Toor will be chasing a three-peat in Japan, when the athletics events get underway from September 23 (Wednesday). The men’s shotput event will take place on September 26.
The 31-year-old along with shooter Manu Bhaker were the designated flag bearers for Team India.
However, Toor won’t be able to attend the opening ceremony as he is yet to receive his official kit, preventing him from attending the gala event.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced their decision on Friday (September 18), which is when Tajinderpal realized that his official kit is lying in India.
Also Read: Asian Games 2026 Opening Ceremony: Date, time, venue & live streaming details
The athlete said he was only informed about his role late on Friday, leaving him with no option but to inform the federation about the inconvenience.
“I am told that my kit will reach at 3pm at the (Nagoya) airport. Reaching the opening ceremony venue after collecting my kit from airport on time will be very difficult. So, I have told IOA (Indian Olympic Association) that I am not coming for opening ceremony,” Toor was quoted as saying by PTI.
With the athletics events starting on 23rd, the 75-member contingent has been undergoing a preparatory camp at the University of Tsukuba near Tokyo and are only scheduled to reach Nagoya on September 21, reported the agency.
Toor also confirmed, “my kit is lying in India. Nobody in the athletics team has got their kits so far.”
The 20th Asian Games is set to an official start with the opening ceremony on September 19 at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Athletes from every nation would parade as a team representing their nation’s heritage. While there are multiple protocals, wearing the official kit is one of the strict protocols which has to be adhered to.
Indian team’s kit was designed by renowned artist Aaquib Wani featuring a modern “Invisible Trajectories” spirograph motif. It is a matter of pride for any athlete to carry their national flag and represent the nation on a world stage. It was unfortunate got Tajinderpal to miss out on it.
Who are India’s flag-bearers in the opening ceremony of Asian Games 2026?
After a late change, kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat and shooter Manu Bhaker will be India’s flag-bearers in the opening ceremony later today. Initially, Tajinderpal Singh Toor was named the flag-bearer alongside Bhaker, but that was changed later.
Why was Tajinderpal Singh Toor replaced as India’s flag-bearer for the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony?
Tajinderpal had to opt out since he did not have the official ceremonial kit with him.
Who replaced Tajinderpal Singh Toor as the flag-bearer for Team India at Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony?
Pawan Sehrawat has been named as the replacement. He will join shooter Manu Bhaker in carrying the tri-colour at the opening ceremony.
Where and when will the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony take place?
The opening ceremony will be held on September 19 at Paloma Mizuho Stadium, Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. It will begin t 6 pm local time (2:30 pm IST).
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