NEW DELHI: Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra on Saturday sent his best wishes to the Indian contingent as the 20th Asian Games officially got underway in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, expressing confidence that the athletes would make the country proud.Chopra, who will miss the continental showpiece after an ankle ligament injury ended his 2026 season, took to X to send his message to the Indian athletes as the Games began with a colourful opening ceremony.“All my best wishes to Team India at the Asian Games 2026! I’m sure they will all make us proud.”The Asian Games are being held from September 19 to October 4, with India competing across multiple disciplines and looking to build on its record medal haul from the previous edition.
Chopra misses Games but backs Indian contingent
Two-time Asian Games gold medallist Chopra won javelin gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and followed it with silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics. His absence is a significant one for India’s athletics campaign after the 28-year-old suffered an ankle ligament injury during a training session.While Chopra will not be able to defend his Asian Games title, his message came as the Indian contingent began its campaign at Aichi-Nagoya.Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat led the Indian contingent at Saturday’s opening ceremony. Bhaker, a double bronze medallist at the Paris Olympics, will compete in the women’s 10m air pistol, women’s 25m pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team events.Ahead of the ceremony, Bhaker also reflected on being chosen as a flag bearer.“Honestly, when I found out yesterday, I had all these flashback memories of my earlier days. And, you know, when I started, I never thought that this was where I could reach one day in my sport. So, it is definitely a very heartwarming feeling. I feel really proud, really honoured, and really, really happy to be chosen as the flag bearer for my country. I just want to say thank you to God and thank you to everyone for all the love and support,” she said.ALSO READ: How India’s Asian Games medal story has changed over two decades
India looks to build on record Asian Games campaign
The opening ceremony at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium formally marked the start of the Games, with Japan’s Emperor Naruhito declaring the event open.The athletes’ parade featured contingents from 45 nations and the OCA Refugee Team. Sehrawat replaced shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor as India’s flag bearer after Toor did not receive his ceremonial kit in time.India is looking to improve on its best-ever Asian Games performance at Hangzhou in 2023, where it won 106 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver and 40 bronze.Some competitions had already begun before the opening ceremony. India’s women’s cricket team reached the semifinals after defeating hosts Japan by eight wickets, while Quimcy D’Souza remained in contention for a teqball bronze after losing her women’s singles semifinal.The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will feature around 11,000 athletes competing across 43 sports for 469 gold medals, with the closing ceremony scheduled for October 4.