Sehrawat Takes Over Flag-Bearer Role
Pawan Sehrawat Named India’s New Male Flag-Bearer: Indian kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat has been named India’s new male flag-bearer for the Asian Games opening ceremony. He replaces shot put athlete Tajinderpal Singh Toor, while Manu Bhaker continues as the women’s flag-bearer.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) stated that Toor’s replacement was necessitated by technical reasons. The change gives Sehrawat the responsibility of leading the Indian contingent alongside Bhaker at the opening ceremony.
Asian Games Achievement of Sehrawat
Sehrawat was part of India’s gold-medal-winning men’s kabaddi team at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. His selection as flag-bearer reflects his contribution to Indian kabaddi and his prominence in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL).
India has traditionally been one of the strongest teams in Asian Games kabaddi. The Indian men’s team won gold in eight of the first nine Asian Games editions in which kabaddi was contested, with the exception being the 2018 Jakarta Games, where India finished with bronze.
Static GK fact: Kabaddi made its Asian Games debut as a medal sport at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games. India won the inaugural men’s kabaddi gold and has remained a dominant force in the event.
Manu Bhaker Continues as Flag-Bearer
Olympic shooter Manu Bhaker will continue to serve as India’s female flag-bearer. She became the first Indian athlete to win two medals at a single edition of the Olympic Games after securing two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Bhaker’s Asian Games participation includes the women’s 10m air pistol, women’s 25m pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team events. Her continued role alongside Sehrawat gives India representation from both shooting and kabaddi at the opening ceremony.
Static GK Tip: The Asian Games are the largest multi-sport event in Asia and are organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
Toor Continues His Asian Games Campaign
Although Toor will not carry the Indian flag at the opening ceremony, he remains an important member of the Indian athletics contingent. The shot putter is targeting another Asian Games title after victories at Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2022.
At the 2022 Asian Games, Toor successfully defended his title with a throw of 20.36 metres. A third consecutive gold would further strengthen his record in Asian Games shot put.
Static GK fact: Tajinderpal Singh Toor competes in the men’s shot put, a field event in athletics in which competitors attempt to propel a heavy metal sphere to the greatest possible distance.
India’s Asian Games Tradition
The change in flag-bearer does not alter the competitive significance of the Indian contingent. Sehrawat enters the Games as an established kabaddi champion, while Bhaker brings Olympic experience in shooting.
The opening ceremony flag-bearer traditionally represents the participating nation and leads its contingent during the ceremonial parade. The selection of prominent athletes therefore carries both sporting and symbolic significance.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Pawan Sehrawat Named India’s New Male Flag-Bearer:
| Fact | Detail |
| New male flag-bearer | Pawan Sehrawat |
| Female flag-bearer | Manu Bhaker |
| Replaced athlete | Tajinderpal Singh Toor |
| Sehrawat’s sport | Kabaddi |
| Sehrawat’s Asian Games gold | Hangzhou 2022 |
| Bhaker’s Olympic medals | Two bronze medals at Paris 2024 |
| Toor’s Asian Games titles | Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2022 |
| Toor’s Hangzhou throw | 20.36 metres |
| Asian Games kabaddi debut | Beijing 1990 |
| Governing body | Olympic Council of Asia |
