Manu Bhaker says she missed ‘Jaspal sir a lot’ after carrying Indian flag at Asian Games opening ceremony

Indian shooter Manu Bhaker and kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat were India’s flagbearers during the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony. | Photo Credit: PTI

Indian shooter Manu Bhaker said she missed her late coach Jaspal Rana at the Asian Games opening ceremony on Saturday, during which she carried the Indian flag alongside kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat.

Rana died on June 12 at the age of 49 and was a significant part of Manu’s career, helping her win two bronze medals at Paris Olympics 2024.

“Missed Jaspal sir a lot today; he was a flagbearer at the Asian Games. It was indeed an emotional day without his presence by my side,” Manu said after the ceremony.

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The 24-year-old remembered her late coach’s advice that she should attend opening ceremonies only if she was a flag bearer.

Manu will be in action at her third Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya and is set to compete in the women’s 10m air pistol, women’s 25m pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team events.

Bhaker, who is competing in her third Asian Games, missed the opening ceremony at her first Games in 2018 as she was based in Palembang, away from the main athletes’ village in Jakarta.