Prime Minister Narendra Modi; and Indian contingent at the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony. (PTI Photos)

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent as the 20th Asian Games officially opened in Aichi-Nagoya, urging the athletes to give their best and shine as India begins its medal campaign in earnest from Sunday.“As the Asian Games commence in Aichi-Nagoya, my best wishes to the Indian contingent. Each athlete has worked incredibly hard and shown remarkable dedication and determination. India is proud of them,” PM Modi said in a post on X.“May they give their best, play well and shine!” he added.The message came as the continental sporting extravaganza formally got underway at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, with Japan’s Emperor Naruhito declaring the Games open. The Asian Games will continue until October 4, with around 11,000 athletes from 45 nations competing across 43 sports.

Bhaker, Sehrawat lead India at opening ceremony

For India, Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat led the contingent into the stadium, carrying the Tricolour at the opening ceremony.Bhaker, a double Olympic medallist from Paris 2024, will compete in the women’s 10m air pistol, 25m pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team events. Sehrawat was part of India’s gold-medal-winning men’s kabaddi side at the previous Asian Games.Reflecting on her selection as flag-bearer, Bhaker spoke about the emotions triggered by the honour and how it reminded her of her journey in sport.“Honestly, when I found out yesterday, I had all these flashback memories of my earlier days. And, you know, when 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.

India begins medal charge from Sunday

With the ceremonial opening now complete, the focus turns to competition, with Indian athletes beginning their push for medals from Sunday.India will look to build on its record medal haul at the previous edition in Hangzhou, where it won 106 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver and 40 bronze.Several established names will headline India’s campaign, including PV Sindhu in badminton, Mirabai Chanu in weightlifting, Lovlina Borgohain in boxing and Aman Sehrawat in wrestling. In athletics, Gulveer Singh, Tejaswin Shankar, Murali Sreeshankar, Jyothi Yarraji and Parul Chaudhary are among the leading contenders, while Tajinderpal Singh Toor will seek a third successive Asian Games gold in the men’s shot put.India are also defending champions in men’s and women’s cricket and kabaddi, while the men’s hockey side will look to retain its title.

Angel Reese fans criticized the Golden State Valkyries‘ official account on Friday after a promotional graphic ranked Veronica Burton first in the league in Defensive Win Shares because Reese leads the WNBA in Defensive Win Shares (DWS) with 3.05, per Basketball-Reference.

Golden State shared the graphic right after beating the Portland Fire 82-66 to reach a 30-11 record. In that game, Burton scored 4 points and recorded a game-high 6 steals in 26 minutes.

In the post, they nominated Burton, Gabby Williams, and Kiah Stokes for the WNBA All-Defensive Team. That graphic also highlighted Williams’ 25 defensive net points and Stokes’ 96.5 defensive rating. It also listed Burton with a “.202 Defensive Win Shares” mark, labeled as first in the league.

Many on X then didn’t waste time accusing Golden State of using incorrect data to boost Burton’s Defensive Player of the Year campaign.

“Lying in your post as official account is sad,” one user wrote.

More reactions followed.

Golden State’s official graphic concluded by citing Sports Illustrated’s Dan Falkenheim, who wrote, “Simply put: Burton is one of the three wardens of Valkatraz, alongside Gabby Williams and Kiah Stokes.”

Read more: “Good Riddance to Trash”: Fans Erupt After OutKick Hires Former Seattle Times Columnist Who Quit Over Trans Athletes Think Piece Being Shelved

Angel Reese sets the tone for Dream after World Cup gold

Returning from the World Cup break against the Connecticut Sun, Angel Reese hit 30 points after making a free throw with 5:38 left. Moments later, she grabbed her 10th rebound to secure her WNBA-record 30th double-double of the season. The win improved the Atlanta Dream to 27-14.

Beyond breaking records, Reese wanted to show everyone what she and her team could do in the playoffs. She said,

“I was ready to get back. Being back home, being with Atlanta, being with my team. I gotta leave a taste in everybody mouth about what the playoffs are gonna look like, so it was only right for me to come out and set the tone.”

Angel Reese added that she had to leave a taste in everyone’s mouth about what the playoffs would look like, so it was only right for her to come out and set the tone.

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