Asian Games: After adversity, it's action time for Indian stars

Shooter Manu Bhaker (right) and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat lead the contingent in the athletes’ parade during the Opening Ceremony in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday. Pics/PTI

For many in attendance, though in parts of the stadium, you could see a swathe of empty seats, still, the opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games felt like a necessary reset after a turbulent build-up.

It was not the kind of grand opening spectacle we have come to expect, and it was far from flamboyant, lavish, or bursting with an extravagant array of colour. Yet, it was neither muted nor low-key. Instead, Japan presented a thoughtfully crafted event, attractive enough to redirect the focus to what the Games are truly meant to accomplish: bringing athletes together for high-level competition.

In a touching highlight, probably for the only instance in Asian Games history, the ceremony reached a brilliant finish as legendary hammer thrower Shigenobu Murofushi and his son Koji jointly lit the cauldron. It was emotional and for track and field, a fantastic tribute.

Artistes perform during the opening ceremony on Saturday

Held at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium, the ceremony marked the third time Japan has hosted the Asian Games, following Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994. Over 15,000 athletes from 45 nations are set to compete across 43 sports through October 4. Directed by Nagoya-born filmmaker Yukihiko Tsutsumi, the presentation revolved around the theme ‘Harmonic Heartbeat,' centred on a heart-shaped stage that underscored the Games' overarching slogan, ‘Imagine One Asia.'

The symbolic reset was badly needed. Organisers opted against building a central athletes' village to keep costs down, distributing competitors across local hotels, temporary lodging, and a docked cruise ship. This led to persistent complaints over tight rooms, double bookings, and transport snags, while the threat of a typhoon added further anxiety.

Logistical hiccups hit individual delegations as well. India's ceremonial plans were upended when shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor's official kit failed to arrive in time, forcing a last-minute change. Kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat stepped in at short notice, joining shooter Manu Bhaker to carry the national flag into the stadium. Broad political wrinkles also surfaced, including debates surrounding Taiwan's participation and an anthem mix-up involving North and South Korea.

Yet, as the parade of nations began, the sheer scale and spirit of the event took centre stage. When Japan's Emperor Naruhito opened the Games, the ripple of applause throughout the stadium was of reverence but in that it was made clear that Nagoya would put its best foot forward.

The Asian Games unite different political systems, histories, and sporting cultures under one roof; that is the beauty of it. With the speeches, artistic performances, and cauldron lighting now complete, the focus shifts entirely from organisational hiccups to athletic achievement. For the next 16 days, the sound of the starter's gun, across track, pool, the referee's whistle from hockey to football in the midst of a whole bunch of sport, the teams, the athletes and the pursuit of medals defined by the fans' roar will define Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

Did you know?

India is one of only seven nations to have participated in every edition of the Asian Games since its inception; the other six are Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Thailand

Indians in action today

Wushu
>> Women's 52kg Sanda round of 16: Aparna vs Sogand Sinkaeichetan (Iran) (15:10)
>> Men's 75kg Sanda round of 16: Vikrant Baliyan vs Soheil Mousavi (Iran) (16:50)

Shooting
>> Women's 10m air rifle individual qualifying and team final: Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod (06:15)
>> Women's 10m air rifle Individual final: Valarivan, Maskar, and Vinod (subject to qualification) (11:00)

Teqball
>> Women's singles bronze medal match: Quimcy Dsouza vs Yuina Sakamoto (Japan) (06:30)
>> Mixed doubles bronze medal match: Quimcy Dsouza/Mohamed Anas Beg vs Hoang Minh Tan Nguyen/Gia Ngih Trinh (Vietnam) (07:00)

Table Tennis
>> Women's team Group F match: India vs Indonesia (06:30)
>> Men's team Group F match: India vs Indonesia (09:00)
>> Women's team Group F match: India vs Singapore (12:30)
>> Men's team Group F match: India vs Iran (15:00)

Mixed Martial Arts
>> Women's Traditional -60kg quarter-final: Suchika Tariyal vs Altanchimeg Baigalmaa (Mongolia) (08:10)
>> Men's Traditional -77kg quarter-final: Varun Sanyal vs TBC (14:00)

Hockey
>> Women's Pool B match: India vs Uzbekistan (07:30) >> Men's Pool A match: India vs Indonesia (11:30)

Cricket
>> Women's semi-final: India vs Bangladesh (10:30)

Badminton
>> Women's team first round: India vs Kazakhstan (11:30)

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No of gold medals won by India at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games - their best-ever tally