Asian Games 2026: Why did Manu Bhaker wear borrowed kit during the opening ceremony?
Manu Bhaker will start her Asian Games 2026 campaign on September 23.
At the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony, shooting star Manu Bhaker and kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat served as flag-bearers, leading the Indian contingent.
Bhaker led India at the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony in Nagoya, wearing a borrowed ceremonial kit after the outfit issued to her did not fit.
According to The Times of India, citing family sources, Bhaker’s jacket was the wrong size, while her shoes also did not fit. She was one of India’s two flag-bearers, alongside Pawan Sehrawat.
Her father, Ramkishan Bhaker, told TOI that the shoes were the biggest problem. “Her shoe size was wrong. Manu wears a No. 5 shoe size. The one which was given to her was either 4 or 6. She borrowed the shoe fitting her size,” he alleged.
A masseur associated with the Indian shooting team had arranged the replacement kit through a private sponsor. Bhaker wore it while leading the contingent at the athletes’ parade.
Bhaker did not want the job. Reportedly, Bhaker informed the NRAI that she preferred to spend the days leading up to her events focused on practice. However, officials in Nagoya still selected her as one of India’s flag-bearers, and she agreed after some persuasion.
Related: India’s 15 biggest medal contenders at Asian Games 2026
Why was flag duty a familiar experience for Manu Bhaker?
Catch Every Update, Anytime, Anywhere
This was not her first time leading India out. Bhaker served as India’s flag-bearer at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, where the 16-year-old went on to win gold in the women’s 10m air pistol event with a final score of 236.5.
She was born on 18 February 2002 in Goria, Jhajjar district in Haryana, and is 24. At Paris 2024, she shot 580 in qualification and 221.7 in the final to take bronze in the 10m air pistol.
She added a second bronze in the mixed team event with Sarabjot Singh, becoming the first Indian to win two medals at a Games since independence. She also finished fourth in the 25m pistol.
Her Asian Games record is mixed. In 2018, she shot 593 in the 25m qualification but placed sixth in the final. She won the 25m pistol team gold in Hangzhou 2022 with Esha Singh and Rhythm Sangwan. She was awarded the Khel Ratna in 2025 and works with coach Jaspal Rana.
Manu Bhaker’s Schedule at Asian Games 2026:
- September 23: women’s 10m air pistol qualification
- September 25: 10m air pistol mixed team
- September 27: 25m pistol, precision stage
- September 28: 25m pistol, rapid stage and final
Why did Manu Bhaker wear a borrowed kit at the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony?
Family sources said the kit issued to her did not fit. Her jacket sat badly, and her shoes were the wrong size.
Has Manu Bhaker been India’s flag-bearer before?
Yes. She was India’s flag-bearer at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires and won gold there.
When will Manu Bhaker compete at the Asian Games 2026?
She starts on September 23 in the 10m air pistol qualification. The mixed team event is on September 25, and the 25m pistol is on September 27 and 28.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram