Asian Games 2023: Harmanpreet Singh and Lovlina Borgohain to lead Indian Contingent as flag-bearers at opening ceremony

Hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and Olympic medallist boxer Lovlina Borgohain will be the flag-bearers of the Indian contingent during the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Hangzhou on September 23. While the official opening ceremony is scheduled for September 23, some sporting disciplines have already commenced their events, including rowing, football, and volleyball, among others.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) made this decision on Wednesday, opting for two distinguished athletes to jointly lead the Indian contingent during the continental showpiece. This year's Asian Games boasts the largest-ever Indian contingent, with a total of 655 athletes representing the country.

Harmanpreet Singh, renowned for his exceptional skills in drag-flicking, played a pivotal role in the Indian hockey team's historic bronze medal win at the Tokyo Olympics. This victory ended India's more than four-decade-long medal drought in Olympic hockey.

Lovlina Borgohain, on the other hand, achieved Olympic glory by securing a bronze medal in the 69kg category at the Tokyo Olympics. In addition to her Olympic success, she recently clinched a gold medal in the 75kg category at the World Women's Boxing Championship held in New Delhi.

Notably, at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra had the honor of being India's flag-bearer during the opening ceremony.