Paralympic champions Pramod Bhagat and Bhavina Patel have been named as the flag bearers for the Indian contingent at the upcoming Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan (October 18–24, 2026).
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) finalized the decision on Thursday, choosing the decorated duo to lead a record-breaking 310-member Indian delegation.
Bhagat, a legendary para-badminton gold medalist, and Patel, a trailblazing para-table tennis silver medalist, represent India's soaring dominance in para-sports. India aims to surpass its historic 111-medal haul from Hangzhou.
"Leading the contingent in Japan is the highest honor of my career," Bhagat stated following the announcement. "Nagoya is a major milestone on our road to Los Angeles 2028, and our athletes are hungry for podium finishes."
PCI officials confirmed that the first batch of athletes will depart for Aichi-Nagoya on October 14 to acclimatize to the conditions.
"Pramod and Bhavina are global icons who embody resilience," said a senior PCI coach. "Their leadership at the opening ceremony will inspire our largest-ever squad to push boundaries and create history on Japanese soil."