Manu Bhaker wore borrowed kit at opening ceremony; ceremonial attire didn’t fit

India's double Olympic medalist from Paris 2024 Manu Bhaker and kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat lead the contingent at the athletes' parade, during the opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games, in Nagoya, Japan. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Manu Bhaker wore a borrowed ceremonial kit at the opening ceremony in Nagoya after the kit issued to her did not fit her properly, according to family sources. Her father Ramkishan Bhaker told TOI that even the shoes provided to the Olympic medallist were of the wrong size.“Her shoe size was wrong. Manu wears a 5 number shoe size. The one which was given to her was either 4 or 6. She borrowed the shoe fitting her size,” Ramkishan alleged.

Family sources said Manu had received her ceremonial kit, but the size was not right and the jacket did not fit her properly. She eventually wore a kit borrowed from a masseuse attached with the Indian shooting contingent.

It is learnt that the masseuse, who is attached to the shooting team through a private sponsor, provided the kit that fitted Manu and which she wore while leading the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony.Family sources said Manu had initially told the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) that she wanted to focus on her competition, with the pistol events beginning Monday, and concentrate on training and practice. However, after sports authorities and IOA contingent staff in Nagoya decided she would be a flag-bearer, and following some persuasion, she agreed to take on the role.Manu, an Olympic medallist, eventually led the contingent at the opening ceremony in the borrowed ceremonial attire.Bhaker, who won two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, will compete in the women’s 10m air pistol, women’s 25m pistol, and 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team.