Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Pawan Sehrawat Replaces Tajinderpal Toor as Asian Games Flag-Bearer
India changed one of its flag-bearers before the Asian Games opening ceremony.
Shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor was originally chosen for the role.
Kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat replaced him.
The Indian Olympic Association described the reason as technical issues.
Toor said his special ceremony clothes had not arrived.
He expected the clothes to reach Nagoya airport at 3 p.m.
He said there would not be enough time to collect them and reach the ceremony.
Manu Bhaker was still expected to be the other flag-bearer.
The ceremony was scheduled at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya.
Pawan Sehrawat replaced Tajinderpal Singh Toor as India’s male flag-bearer.
The Indian Olympic Association cited technical issues for the last-minute change.
Toor said his ceremonial kit was still in India and expected at Nagoya airport at 3 p.m.
Toor said collecting the kit and reaching the opening ceremony on time would be difficult.
Manu Bhaker remained scheduled to lead India’s contingent as the female flag-bearer.
- Who
- Pawan Sehrawat replaced shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor; Manu Bhaker remained the female flag-bearer.
- What
- India changed its male flag-bearer for the Asian Games opening ceremony.
- When
- The change was announced before the opening ceremony on Saturday.
- Where
- The ceremony was scheduled at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan.
- Why
- The Indian Olympic Association cited technical issues, while Toor and Press Trust of India reports linked the change to his delayed ceremonial kit.
Official explanation
Reported kit explanation
Reason for the replacement
Official explanation
The Indian Olympic Association said technical issues meant Tajinderpal Singh Toor could not serve as flag-bearer.
Reported kit explanation
Toor said his ceremonial kit was still in India and that collecting it from Nagoya airport before the ceremony would be difficult; Press Trust of India reported that the delay would prevent him from attending.
Why the athletics team lacked ceremonial kits
Official explanation
The official statements did not provide further detail beyond technical issues.
Reported kit explanation
Reports said the athletics team was training near Tokyo and was not expected to attend the opening ceremony, explaining why its ceremonial kits were not in its luggage.
- Original male flag-bearer
- Tajinderpal Singh Toor
- Replacement male flag-bearer
- Pawan Sehrawat
- Female flag-bearer
- Manu Bhaker
- Ceremony venue
- Paloma Mizuho Stadium, Nagoya
- Expected kit arrival
- 3 p.m. at Nagoya airport
- Athletics team location
- University of Tsukuba near Tokyo
- Athletics team travel
- The team was scheduled to reach Nagoya on September 21, two days before athletics events began.
Sources
Asian Games: Tajinderpal Toor replaced as India’s flagbearer due to kit
Pawan Sehrawat replaces Tajinderpal Toor as India’s flag-bearer at Asian Games opening ceremony
Kabaddi player Sehrawat replaces Toor as flag-bearer for Asiad opening ceremony
