Manu Bhaker, 24, was named one of India's two flagbearers for the Asian Games opening ceremony in Nagoya—her selection came after a unanimous vote by the Indian Olympic Association, with coaches and athletes casting their ballots in a closed session. The 10m air pistol star, who claimed bronze in both individual and mixed events at Paris 2024, is the first shooter ever to carry the tricolour. Her achievement is a testament to the growth of Indian shooting on the global stage.
Bhaker’s journey to this podium is punctuated by her debut at the 2018 Palembang Games, where she missed the ceremony because she was still competing. Now, she carries the flag with the weight of past memories and the promise of future medals.
She recalled her late coach Jaspal Rana’s strict rule—"Either you are a flagbearer, or you watch the ceremony on TV"—a rule that kept her focused and added a layer of determination. Bhaker laughed about the irony, saying the rule had made her even more eager to secure that coveted spot.
With the flag in hand, she will head straight to the 10m air pistol event, hoping to add another medal to her tally. The Indian contingent will follow her into the competition, eager to see how her performance shapes the Games. Meanwhile, kabaddi legend Pawan Sehrawat will serve as the other flagbearer, balancing the team’s presence across disciplines.