Chopra, who will miss the continental showpiece after an ankle ligament injury ended his 2026 season, took to X to send his message to Indian athletes as the Games began with a colourful opening ceremony.
Two-time Asian Games gold medallist Chopra won javelin gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and followed it with silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics. His absence is a significant one for India's athletics campaign after the 28-year-old suffered an ankle ligament injury during a training session.
While Chopra will not be able to defend his Asian Games title, his message came as the Indian contingent began its campaign at Aichi-Nagoya.
Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat led the Indian contingent at Saturday's opening ceremony. Bhaker, a double bronze medallist at the Paris Olympics, will compete in the women's 10m air pistol, women's 25m pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team events.
All my best wishes to the #TeamIndia at the Asian Games 2026! I’m sure they will all make us proud 🇮🇳
— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) September 19, 2026
Ahead of the ceremony, Bhaker also reflected on being chosen as a flag bearer.
"Honestly, when I found out yesterday, I had all these flashback memories of my earlier days. And, you know, wher I started, I never thought that this was where I could reach one day in my sport. So, it is definitely a very heartwarming feeling. I feel really proud, really honoured, and really, really happy to be chosen as the flag bearer for my country. I just want to say thank you to God and thank you to everyone for all the love and support," she said.
The opening ceremony at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium formally marked the start of the Games, with Japan's Emperor Naruhito declaring the event open.
The athletes' parade featured contingents from 45 nations and the OCA Refugee Team. Sehrawat replaced shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor as India's flag bearer after Toor did not receive his ceremonial kit in time.
India is looking to improve on its best-ever Asian Games performance at Hangzhou in 2023, where it won 106 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver and 40 bronze.
Some competitions had already begun before the opening ceremony. India's women's cricket team reached the semifinals after defeating hosts Japan by eight wickets, while Quimcy D'Souza remained in contention for a teqball bronze after losing her women's singles semifinal.
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will feature around 11,000 athletes competing across 43 sports for 469 gold medals, with the closing ceremony scheduled for October 4.
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