Manu Bhaker and Tajinderpal Singh Toor carried the tricolour into the Aichi‑Nagoya arena at 6:30 pm IST, turning the opening ceremony into a national rally.
Bhaker, who won two medals at Paris 2024, now represents the shooting squad that will aim for new records, while Toor, the reigning Asian champion in men’s shot put, has captured gold in the last two editions and will lead the track and field contingent.
India’s 107‑medal target from Hangzhou 2023 sets a high bar for this 20th edition, which will see athletes from 45 countries compete in 43 sports, with Japan hosting for the third time.
Sports insiders say the flag‑bearers’ presence signals India’s confidence. Commentator Rahul Johri remarked, "The flag‑bearers embody the spirit of our athletes, and their energy will carry through the Games."
The first medal‑laden day begins with weightlifting on September 20, where Mirabai Chanu eyes gold, while PV Sindhu will kick off badminton the same day.