Asian Games 2018: Opening ceremony - live updates as world watches Asia

Remember, there is no live action today and the big events will begin only from Saturday (August 19). You can catch the action live on MyKhel.

That's it from the opening ceremony. And what an extravagant affair it was!

And now we have the final performance of the opening ceremony.

Internationally-acclaimed singer Anggun now entertains the crowd with her mesmerising voice.

Internationally-acclaimed singer Anggun now entertains the crowd with her mesmerising voice.

Former Indonesian badminton star Susi Susanti, a two-time Asian Games bronze medallist in 1990 and 1994, takes the torch to the lighting cauldron (shaped like a volcano) and signals the Games open!

Lanny Gumulya, a gold medallist diver from the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, is the first of the torch-bearers during the opening ceremony.

Fire is an important aspect in life of the Indonesian people. The influence of volcanoes is not lost out as artistes take the stage with a display of fire at the opening ceremony.

Recap - Neeraj Chopra carries the Indian flag and leads the 572-member contingent at the opening ceremony.

Leading the performances during the Earth segment of the opening ceremony performance are Fatin Shidqia and Rossa.

After the water segment of the opening ceremony, now begins the tribute to earth.

The sun rises (metaphorically) in Indonesia at the opening ceremony. The event continues with a performance by singer Raisa.

Warring tribes are surprised to see invaders from the sea. One warrior from the ship claims he will unite the land and make it a strong force to take on the world. The tribes now dance together.

Elements... Now we've a dance performance depicting the creation of Indonesia and the water's role in it.

More numbers to interest you

45 Nations
465 events across 40 Sports & 67 disciplines
571 Indian Athletes

18th #AsianGames start today in Indonesia! pic.twitter.com/CIqNLylUgQ

— All India Radio Sports (@akashvanisports) August 18, 2018

This is what the protocol looked like:

Indonesia's flag is brought on stage by Paskibra (Flag Hoisting Troop). #OpeningAG2018 #AsianGames2018 pic.twitter.com/ChELnRWQtR

— Asian Games 2018 (@asiangames2018) August 18, 2018

Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah then invites Indonesia president Joko Widodo and vice-president Jusuf Kalla to declare the Asian Games 2018 open

"We have waited 56 years to come back to Indonesia for our Asian Games. The first Asiad was held in 1962 and this is a great legacy of the Asian Games. We're making history by the joint participation of North and South Korea together today." - Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) chief Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah

The protocol part of the opening ceremony follows the theme song. After the Indonesian flag is unfurled, we have the national anthem of the hosts now. It's performed by Tulus and a children's group.

That was the official song of the Asian Games 2018. It's called Meraih Bintang and is performed by Via Vallen. You can listen to it on Youtube.

232 coaches, support staff and officials have accompanied the 572 athletes. The total Indian representation is 804.

Let's talk numbers now. India has sent a 572-member contingent for the Asian Games 2018. 312 of those are men and there are 260 women representing the tricolour. They will participate in 36 sports at the Games.

17,000 islands of Indonesia come together as one. Their contingent is huge and so are the expectations from the people of the host nation.

Saving the best for last, it's Indonesia! They come in right after Yemen to a huge round of applause from the crowd at the GBK Stadium.

Athletes from Timor Leste (also known as East Timor) are cheered on as they participate in the parade of athletes. The country was locked in a political struggle for independence with Indonesia for a long time. They first took part in the Asian Games in 2002 and are yet to win a medal.

The 45 countries taking part at the Asian Games walked one after the other in alphabetical order. Indonesia, the hosts, will be the last though during the parade of athletes at the opening ceremony.

Neeraj Chopra looks overjoyed as he carries the Indian flag at the Asian Games 2018. PV Sindhu was the flag bearer earlier during the Commonwealth Games 2018, while Sardar Singh was handed the honour during the 2014 Incheon Asian Games

The much awaited moment!

Indian contingent🇮🇳 lead by @Neeraj_chopra1 walks into the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta as the Opening Ceremony proceeds amidst glitz and grandeur. #PunchMeinHaiDum #IndiaAtAsianGames #BoxtoGlory pic.twitter.com/tthInHXDj6

— Boxing Federation (@BFI_official) August 18, 2018

Proud moment for the young javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, just 20, to be the flag bearer for India at the opening ceremony

The 572 athlete strong Indian contingent lead by Neeraj Chopra make their way out at the opening ceremony of #AsianGames2018... An entire nation's hopes on all of these athletes... Hope we finish top of the medals tally... #Let'sGoIndia pic.twitter.com/okAwKokOi4

— TheSportsBuffs (@TheSportsBuffs) August 18, 2018

Korea unified! South Korea and DPR Korea (North Korea) march as one like they did during the Winter Olympics 2018 in Pyeongchang.

Can India better its tally this time around?

Let us set a new record this time! #GoForGlory #TeamIndia 🇮🇳#IndiaAtAsianGames #AsianGames2018 pic.twitter.com/nwZKIA9stT

— Dept of Sports MYAS (@IndiaSports) August 17, 2018