The Commonwealth Games: Know all about India’s flag bearers over the years, and why they received the honour
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PV Sindhu, Abhinav Bindra
The 2022 Commonwealth Games are all set to begin soon, and as excitement reigns high, the flag bearer for the Indian team has been announced after a big debate. India’s CWG team was spoilt for choice, as Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and two time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu were both in the mix to be the flag bearers for the event in Birmingham.
Chopra had won the gold at the last Commonwealth games, and was expected to take the flag this year. However, Chopra recently pulled out of the Commonwealth Games due to a groin injury he suffered at the World Championships. The choice was clear then- PV Sindhu would be taking the flag for India, and honouring the country at the event. At the 2018 CWGs, it was Sindhu only who raised the flag high. Here is a short history about India’s flag bearers at the Commonwealth Games over the years.
The Commonwealth Games: A short history of India’s flag bearers
2018 Gold Coast- PV Sindhu
Star shuttler PV Sindhu was named the flag bearer for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games for the Indian contingent. Her rising stature since the 2016 Olympics silver medal led her to highest world ranking in 2017. The Opening ceremony was held on 4the April, at the time which she was world no.3.
Sindhu is one of the strongest contenders in the running to win a medal- potentially a gold- at this year’s Games. The only Indian female athlete to win two medals in Olympics, Sindhu clinched a bronze medal in Tokyo Olympics 2020. Sindhu also recently won the Singapore Open, to add to her ever growing laurels.
2014 Glasgow- Vijay Kumar
Pistol shooter Vijay Kumar was the flag-bearer in 2014. London Olympics Yogeshwar Dutt was kept as reserve. Kumar won the silver medal in the 25m rapid fire pistol event at the 2012 London Olympics. Kumar won 2 gold medals at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in the 25m rapid fire pistol in the singles and pairs as well. At the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games he won an impressive 3 gold medals, and one silver medal- which secured his place as the flag bearer for the next CWGs.
Also read: “India will miss him” – Neeraj Chopra to miss 2022 Commonwealth Games due to groin injury
2010 Delhi- Abhinav Bindra
2008 Olympic champion shooter Abhinav Bindra had the honour when India hosted the Games in 2010. Bindra had recently won the historic Olympic gold in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics. In the 2002 Manchester CWGs, Bindra walked away with the crown in the 10m air rifle pairs, and he managed to successfully defended the title at the 2006 Melbourne CWGs. The 2010 CWGs proved to be successful for Bindra, who took a third straight gold medal in the same event.
2006 Melbourne- Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
In 2006 Melbourne Games, India’s flag-bearer was double trap shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. Rathore swung to glory after he won the silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics in the double trap shooting event. In the 2002 Commonwealth Games, Rathore won a double gold medal- one in the double trap individual, and one in the double trap pairs. The 2006 CWGs went just as well for him, as Rathore managed to defend his title in the double trap individual, and took the silver in the double trap pairs.
Also read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Here are 5 Indian athletes to watch out for in Birmingham
Also read: Cricket at Commonwealth Games 2022: When and where to watch, time, venue, squads & other details
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Saivee Phatak
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