Manu Bhaker emotional as flag-bearer at Asian Games: 'I missed Jaspal Rana sir a lot'
Synopsis
Manu Bhaker carried India's flag in Nagoya — but the moment was bittersweet. Her first words after the 20th Asian Games opening ceremony were about the man not in the stands: late coach Jaspal Rana, whose guidance turned a Tokyo disappointment into Paris glory. The tribute underscores how personal sporting greatness can be, and how much of Bhaker's story belongs to him.
Key Takeaways
Manu Bhaker served as India's female flag-bearer at the 20th Asian Games opening ceremony in Nagoya on 19 September 2026 .
Bhaker said she 'missed Jaspal Rana sir a lot' — her late coach, who died on 11 June 2026 at age 49 after complications from a stent procedure.
Kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat replaced shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor as male flag-bearer due to a last-minute technical issue.
Under Rana's guidance, Bhaker won two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics — the first Indian woman to claim two medals at a single Games.
This is Bhaker's third Asian Games , having first competed at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang edition at age 16 .
Emperor Naruhito of Japan formally declared the 20th Asian Games open at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium .
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker called carrying the Indian Tricolour as flag-bearer at the 20th Asian Games opening ceremony in Nagoya an intensely emotional moment — one shadowed by the absence of her late coach and mentor Jaspal Rana, who passed away earlier this year.
'It was emotional. I missed Jaspal Rana sir a lot,' Bhaker said in her first reaction after the ceremony at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Saturday, 19 September 2026.
A Milestone Moment Touched by Grief
Bhaker led the Indian contingent alongside kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat during the athletes' parade that formally kicked off the continental sporting extravaganza. Emperor Naruhito of Japan declared the Games open. It was a landmark moment — yet for Bhaker, the celebration was inseparable from loss.
Rana, who died on 11 June 2026 at the age of 49 following complications from a stent procedure, had been far more than a shooting coach to Bhaker. He guided her through the professional and personal turbulence that followed the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, helping her rebuild her confidence and rediscover her competitive edge.
The Role Jaspal Rana Played in Bhaker's Revival
Bhaker's journey under Rana's tutelage is now part of Indian sporting folklore. After a difficult Tokyo campaign, it was Rana who helped her course-correct — a partnership that culminated in history at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Bhaker became the first Indian woman to win two medals at a single Games, claiming two bronze medals in shooting.
Following Rana's death, Bhaker publicly described the loss as an 'irreparable damage' and paid her respects at his home and academy in Dehradun during a training camp there. The bond between athlete and coach had clearly transcended the professional.
Sehrawat Steps In as Toor Misses Ceremony
Bhaker was originally named India's female flag-bearer, while shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor was chosen as the male flag-bearer. However, Toor was unable to participate in the parade due to a technical issue. Kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat stepped in as his replacement at short notice, carrying the Tricolour alongside Bhaker.
Bhaker's Asian Games Journey
The Nagoya edition marks Bhaker's third Asian Games. She first represented India at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games at just 16 years of age. She returned for the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, where she was part of the gold-medal-winning women's 25m pistol team. Now, competing at 22, she arrives in Japan as one of the most decorated Indian shooters of her generation — and with the weight of her mentor's memory.
With competition set to begin in the coming days, all eyes will be on whether Bhaker can honour Rana's legacy with another podium finish on the continental stage.
Point of View
And it also highlights a systemic gap: Indian sport still lacks a formal support structure for athletes who lose long-term personal coaches, leaving them to navigate grief alongside peak competition. Bhaker's resilience is extraordinary, but it should not be the only safety net. If she medals in Nagoya, the story will rightly belong to both of them.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Manu Bhaker emotional at the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony?
Bhaker was emotional because the occasion reminded her of her late coach Jaspal Rana, who died on 11 June 2026 at age 49 following complications from a stent procedure. Rana had played a pivotal role in reviving her career after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and guided her to two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Games.
Who carried the Indian flag at the 20th Asian Games opening ceremony in Nagoya?
Manu Bhaker served as India's female flag-bearer, while kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat carried the flag as the male flag-bearer after shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor was unable to participate due to a technical issue.
Who was Jaspal Rana and what was his connection to Manu Bhaker?
Jaspal Rana was a celebrated Indian shooting coach who mentored Manu Bhaker and helped her rebuild her confidence after a difficult Tokyo 2020 Olympics campaign. Under his guidance, she won two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He died on 11 June 2026 at the age of 49.
How many Asian Games has Manu Bhaker competed in?
The Nagoya 2026 edition is Bhaker's third Asian Games. She first competed at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games at age 16, returned for the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games where she helped India win gold in the women's 25m pistol team event, and is now representing India in Nagoya.
Where is the 20th Asian Games being held?
The 20th Asian Games are being held in Nagoya, Japan. The opening ceremony took place at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on 19 September 2026, with Emperor Naruhito of Japan officially declaring the Games open.
