NAGOYA — The glamour of the 20th Asian Games opening ceremony, an event intended to celebrate the pinnacle of continental athletic achievement, took an unexpected turn behind the scenes for India’s celebrated shooting sensation, Manu Bhaker. As the double Olympic medalist stepped onto the global stage in Nagoya, Japan, to lead the Indian contingent as a flag-bearer, few observers could have guessed that the outfit she wore was not the one provided by official channels, but rather a last-minute garment borrowed from a member of the support staff.
The incident, which has sparked questions regarding the logistical preparation of the Indian delegation, unfolded shortly before Bhaker was set to walk alongside kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat. According to family sources close to the situation, the ceremonial kit provided to the shooting ace failed to meet basic sizing requirements, leaving the Paris 2024 hero scrambling for a functional alternative.
Logistical Failures Under the Spotlight
The details provided by Ramkishan Bhaker, Manu’s father, paint a picture of administrative oversight that left one of India’s most prominent athletes in an uncomfortable position. According to Ramkishan, the issues went beyond the ceremonial jacket, extending to the footwear meant for the parade.
“Her shoe size was wrong,” Ramkishan alleged in an interview. “Manu wears a size 5. The pair provided to her was either a 4 or a 6—neither of which would have been suitable for the long walk during the ceremony. She had to borrow shoes that actually fit her so she could participate.”
Beyond the footwear, the ceremonial jacket issued to the athlete reportedly suffered from severe fit issues, rendering it unfit for the high-profile public appearance. With the eyes of the world turning toward the opening ceremony, Bhaker found herself in a race against time. Ultimately, she turned to a masseuse attached to the Indian shooting contingent—a staffer provided through a private sponsor—who offered up a spare kit. It was this borrowed ensemble that Bhaker wore as she held the Indian tricolor aloft, fulfilling her duties as a flag-bearer under less-than-ideal circumstances.
A Reluctant Appointment
The irony of the situation is heightened by the fact that Bhaker had initially signaled her desire to skip the opening ceremony altogether. Knowing the rigorous demands of her upcoming competition schedule, she had communicated to the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) that her sole focus remained on her training and the high-stakes pistol events scheduled to commence on Monday.
However, the pressure to participate as a face of the Indian contingent proved significant. After being identified by sports authorities and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) staff in Nagoya as a prime candidate to lead the delegation, Bhaker was eventually persuaded to take on the role. While she graciously accepted the honor, the logistical failure that followed created an avoidable hurdle for an athlete whose primary focus was meant to be on the firing range.
High Stakes in Nagoya
The focus for the Indian camp now shifts firmly back to the competition floor. Bhaker, who etched her name into history with two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, arrives in Nagoya as one of the most scrutinized and decorated athletes in the shooting circuit. She is set to compete in a demanding slate of events, including the women’s 10m air pistol, the women’s 25m pistol, and the 10m air pistol mixed team event.
For an athlete of Bhaker’s caliber, the ability to compartmentalize external stressors is part of what makes her a champion. Despite the frustration of the opening ceremony mishap, her inner circle insists that the shooter remains locked in on her primary objective: adding to her mounting trophy collection.
Questions for the IOA
The episode in Nagoya has prompted calls for a closer look at the administrative protocols governing the preparation of Indian contingents for major international events. While the IOA is yet to issue a formal statement regarding the kit discrepancy, the incident serves as a stark reminder that even at the highest levels of professional sports, the “small things”—such as equipment logistics and supply chain management—can directly impact the well-being and confidence of the athletes.
As the 20th Asian Games progress, the Indian delegation will be hoping that the remaining events proceed with significantly more professional coordination. For Manu Bhaker, the hope is that the drama of the opening ceremony remains a minor footnote, overshadowed by the excellence she is expected to display on the range over the coming days.
The shooting events are often decided by fractions of a millimeter. Athletes like Bhaker prepare for years to ensure that every variable, from their breath control to the weight of their trigger pull, is calibrated to perfection. It is a sentiment that her supporters hope the administrative body carries into the rest of the Games: that the athletes are afforded the same level of precision and care that they bring to their sport every single day.
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