Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Manu Bhaker Honors Late Coach During Asian Games Flag-Bearing
Manu Bhaker is an Indian shooter who carried her country’s flag at the Asian Games opening ceremony.
She shared the honor with kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat.
Bhaker felt happy about the moment but also very sad.
She was thinking about her coach, Jaspal Rana, who died on June 11.
Rana had helped her win two Olympic bronze medals in 2024.
He once told her to attend an opening ceremony only if she was a flag-bearer.
This made the ceremony especially meaningful for her.
Bhaker will now compete in shooting events at the Games.
Manu Bhaker carried India’s flag alongside kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat at the Asian Games opening ceremony in Nagoya.
Bhaker said she deeply missed her late coach, Jaspal Rana, during the ceremony.
Rana died on June 11 at age 49 and had guided Bhaker to two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Rana had advised Bhaker to attend multi-sport opening ceremonies only if she was a flag-bearer.
Bhaker is scheduled to compete in three shooting events at the Asian Games.
- Who
- Indian shooter Manu Bhaker, kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat, and Bhaker’s late coach Jaspal Rana.
- What
- Bhaker served as an Indian flag-bearer at the Asian Games opening ceremony and remembered Rana.
- When
- Saturday, September 19, during the 2026 Asian Games opening ceremony.
- Where
- Nagoya, Japan; reports identify the ceremony venue as Paloma Mizuho Stadium and Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.
- Why
- The moment was emotional because Bhaker missed Rana, who had strongly influenced her career and her approach to opening ceremonies.
- Flag-bearers
- Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat led India’s contingent.
- Coach remembered
- Jaspal Rana died on June 11 at age 49.
- Olympic achievement
- Rana guided Bhaker to two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Bhaker’s Asian Games appearance
- She is competing at her third Asian Games.
- Scheduled events
- Women’s 10m air pistol, women’s 25m pistol, and 10m air pistol mixed team.
- Reported venue
- The reports variously name Paloma Mizuho Stadium and Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.
