In a proud moment for Indian kabaddi, Pawan Sehrawat has been named as India’s male flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. He will lead the Indian contingent alongside Olympic bronze medallist Manu Bhaker, who has been appointed as the female flag bearer.
The announcement came just hours before the opening ceremony, making it one of the biggest breaking stories ahead of the Games.
Why was Pawan Sehrawat chosen?
Initially, Asian Games gold medallist and star shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor had been selected as India’s male flag bearer. However, according to reports, Toor had to withdraw from the opening ceremony after facing delays in receiving his official team kit.
As a result, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) made a late change and appointed Pawan Sehrawat as India’s new male flag bearer for the ceremony.
Speaking to PTI, India’s Chef de Mission Sahdev Yadav confirmed that Sehrawat would replace Toor for the opening ceremony.
What happened with Tajinderpal Singh Toor?
According to PTI, Toor is currently training with the Indian athletics squad and had not yet travelled to Nagoya for the opening ceremony. He also revealed that his official Indian team kit had not reached him in time.
Toor said that collecting the kit from the airport and then reaching the opening ceremony venue on schedule would have been extremely difficult. He also mentioned that the athletics team’s kits were still pending and that if he had been informed about his flag bearer role earlier, arrangements could have been made to receive the kit on time.
The incident is another example of the logistical challenges that have surrounded the early days of the 20th Asian Games, with reports also highlighting delays during the Games’ traditional flag-hoisting ceremony.
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A huge honour for Indian kabaddi
For Pawan Sehrawat, this is another landmark achievement in an already decorated career. The star raider was part of India’s gold medal-winning men’s kabaddi team at the previous Asian Games and is now set to carry the Indian flag at one of the biggest sporting events in Asia.
Being chosen as a flag bearer is considered one of the highest honours for any athlete, making this a truly special moment not only for Pawan Sehrawat but also for the entire kabaddi community.
Conclusion
Pawan Sehrawat replacing Tajinderpal Singh Toor as India’s male flag bearer may have happened unexpectedly, but it has created a proud moment for Indian kabaddi. Leading the Indian contingent alongside Manu Bhaker at the opening ceremony is a fitting recognition of his achievements and contribution to the sport.
Stay tuned to Kabaddi Ultras for all the latest Asian Games 2026 and kabaddi updates throughout the tournament.
