The 2026 Asian Games came to a colourful close in Japan, marking the end of a memorable 20th edition of Asia’s premier continental multi-sport event in Aichi-Nagoya on Sunday.
The ceremony showcased the rich cultural heritage of Japan through a vibrant mix of traditional dance, music and contemporary performances. Athletes from different nations gathered together, waving their national flags, proudly displaying their medals and bidding farewell to the Games, as per Olympics.com.
Trap shooter Neeru Dhanda carried the Indian tricolour at the closing ceremony of the Asian Games 2026 at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Sunday.
Dhanda earned the honour after a remarkable campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, where she won two gold medals and a silver.
The 27-year-old was among four Indian athletes to finish the Games with three medals, alongside archer Kumkum Mohod, distance runner Gulveer Singh and quarter-miler Vithya Ramraj.
Dhanda also scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games gold in trap shooting. She then teamed up with Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer to secure silver in the women’s team event.
She completed her medal haul by partnering Kynan Chenai to win gold in the mixed team trap event. Indian shooters finished the Games with 15 medals — three gold, eight silver and four bronze.
Speaking about her stint at the Asian Games, Neeru shared, “This has been a truly special experience because this was my very first Asian Games. It was the first gold won by India in women’s trap ever, and the first gold medal in trap since 1978. To go back from my very first Asian Games with three medals, two of them gold and one silver, all with records, is truly special. I could not have asked for anything more,” as quoted by Olympics.com.
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At the closing ceremony, Dhanda led the Parade of Nations with the Indian flag as the rest of the Indian contingent entered the stadium alongside athletes from across the continent.
Volunteers danced alongside the athletes as they made their final appearance at Aichi-Nagoya 2026. The closing ceremony was held under the theme ‘One Asia’, with athletes gathering around the central stage as parkour performances and laser displays formed part of the programme.
The handover ceremony featured the historic torch and flag from the inaugural Asian Games, held in New Delhi in 1951. The symbols were paraded into the stadium before being presented to the Qatari delegation.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) flag was also handed over to Qatar, with Olympic champion and three-time world high jump champion Mutaz Barshim receiving it as Doha prepares to host the Asian Games in 2030.
