Emperor Naruhito Declares 20th Asian Games Open in Nagoya as Indian Contingent Begins Campaign

The 20th Asian Games officially commenced on Saturday at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan, as Emperor Naruhito declared the continental multi-sport competition open. The opening ceremony gathered approximately 11,000 athletes representing 45 nations and regions who are scheduled to compete across 43 sports during the 16-day international event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent ahead of the opening medal events, urging competitors to excel as India's campaign launches in earnest on Sunday. This year marks the third occasion Japan has hosted the Asian Games, following prior competitions in Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.

Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and professional kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat led the Indian contingent during the Parade of Nations at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, holding the Tricolour. Bhaker, who secured two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, stated that receiving the flag-bearer role evoked memories of her initial entry into competitive sports.

Sehrawat stepped in as co-flag-bearer following a late adjustment to the roster. Shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor was initially selected for the duty but was replaced due to technical issues involving his ceremonial kit. Sehrawat previously earned a gold medal alongside the Indian men's kabaddi squad at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito formally opened the games alongside Empress Masako, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry, and Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani. The two-hour opening ceremony was themed Harmonic Heart Beat and integrated traditional Japanese theatrical elements, featuring a kabuki performer flying across centre stage in front of a scale model of Nagoya Castle.

The official mascot, Honohon, whose designation originates from an ancient Japanese term for flame, took part throughout the proceedings. Joint torch-lighting duties were performed by Athens 2004 Olympic hammer throw champion Murofushi Koji alongside his father Shigenobu, a five-time Asian Games champion in the corresponding discipline.

With the opening ceremony concluded, Indian competitors enter the medal rounds aiming to match or exceed their historic performance from the previous continental tournament. At the Hangzhou edition, India secured a record-breaking haul of 106 medals, which comprised 28 gold, 38 silver, and 40 bronze podium finishes.

The Indian delegation features established competitors across multiple disciplines, including badminton player PV Sindhu, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, boxer Lovlina Borgohain, and wrestler Aman Sehrawat. Track and field contenders include Gulveer Singh, Tejaswin Shankar, Murali Sreeshankar, Jyothi Yarraji, and Parul Chaudhary, while Tajinderpal Singh Toor aims for his third consecutive men's shot put title. India also defends its titles in men's and women's cricket, men's and women's kabaddi, and men's field hockey.