Hosts India signed off the inaugural World Yogasana Championships campaign with 114 medals, including a century of gold (102), to underline their domination at the EKA Arena here on Monday. Japan finished a distant second with three gold, three silver, and five bronze medals, while Argentina took the third spot thanks to their lone athlete Nabila Barraza's exploits of two gold and three silver.
Medal Tally Highlights
Neighbours Nepal were the second most successful contingent in terms of number of medals won, clinching a total of 52 medals, including one gold, 36 silver, and 15 bronze, to finish fifth on the medal standings. Uzbekistan finished with 25 medals, including one gold, 13 silver, and 11 bronze. In total, 522 athletes from 79 countries participated in the Championships, with 31 of them winning at least one medal each. Ten of those managed to win at least one gold medal.
A Landmark Event for Yogasana
The inaugural World Yogasana Championships in Ahmedabad, the venue of the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marked a defining moment in the evolution of Yogasana, transforming an ancient Indian practice into a globally competitive sporting discipline while strengthening its pathway towards recognition within the Olympic movement. The championship was supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Ministry of Ayush, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Sports Authority of Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, and Gujarat Yogasana Sports Association – establishing Yogasana as a global sporting discipline and paving the way towards Olympic recognition.
India's Contingent and Age Categories
Hosts India fielded a 122-member contingent, with athletes competing across six age categories: Sub-Junior Men and Women (10-14 years), Junior Men and Women (14-18 years), Senior (18-28 years), Senior A (28-35 years), Senior B (35-45 years), and Senior C (45-55 years).
Global Movement and Cultural Exchange
In a video message, Yogrishi Swami Ramdev Ji Maharaj, President of World Yogasana, termed the World Yogasana Championship as the beginning of a global movement. He said, "The World Yogasana Championship is not the destination; it is the beginning of a global movement. Yoga is not merely a sport—it is a way of life, a path to health, harmony, peace, and human unity. Every athlete here is not just a champion, but an ambassador of yoga to the world. Today we celebrate medals and champions, but tomorrow we must create a world connected through yoga. I firmly believe that the journey which began here will one day take Yogasana to the Olympic stage and inspire generations across the globe."
The five-day championships proved to be a melting pot of cultures, with athletes enjoying great hospitality in India and learning about the history and journey of Yogasana. Armenia's Sona Soghayan, who took up yoga during her second pregnancy three years ago, was amazed to see the sport getting such a huge platform in India. She said, "I will carry a lot of pleasant memories from my first visit to India. I hope to spread the concept of yoga among my friends after going back to Armenia, as this sport helps a lot to maintain our wellbeing."
Detailed Results
Artistic Pair
- Sub Junior Female: Gold — Ishika Guchhait & Ishanvi (India) 90.89, Silver — Niya Vijayvargiya & Aarohi Lokhande (Zambia) 82.38, Bronze — Renka Aoki & Ichika Shimizu (Japan) 60.34
- Junior Female: Gold — Deepa Lodhi & Sima Niopane (India) 90.42, Silver — Sweakshya Thapa & Pragya Gautam (Nepal) 56.39, Bronze — Tasila Blessings Phiri & Deborah (Zambia) 41.3
- Junior Male: Gold — Ayush Bhowmik & Om Dehankar (India) 91.03, Silver — Mukheshkar Rajan & Pratheesh Sanjeev Kumar (Sri Lanka) 33.08, Bronze — Kanna Singh Khadka & Sandesh Dhital (Nepal) 20.27
Rhythmic Pair
- Senior Female: Gold — Indu Mathuria & Devi (India) 71.77, Silver — Djumanova Aliya Abubakir & Ansatbaeva Aysulu Arislan (Uzbekistan) 68.84, Bronze — Charuni Nikeshala Keeripitiya Gamethige & Saumya Sewmini Gurugamage (Sri Lanka) & Manar Mohammed Al Maskari & Sreya Nagasubramanian (Oman) 23.05
Leg Balance Individual
- Sub Junior Female: Gold — Shalini Dey (India) 45.00, Silver — Sumanta (Nepal) 33.33, Bronze — Aarohi Lokhande (Zambia) 32.84
Hand Balance Individual
- Sub Junior Male: Gold — Atharva Singh Negi (India) 48.08, Silver — Prayaas Jung Chauhan (Nepal) 40.05, Bronze — Pranad Rathnakumar (Sri Lanka) 33.39
- Senior Female: Gold — Shilpa Das (India) 45.79, Silver — Aizhan Kuanyshbayeva (Kazakhstan) 39.69, Bronze — Chadian Pariyar (Nepal) 35.05
Back Bend Individual
- Sub Junior Male: Gold — Gokarna Sharma (India) 48.25, Silver — Yaatheesh Krishanthan (Sri Lanka) 35.90, Bronze — Timothy James (Romania) 32.18
- Sub Junior Female: Gold — Risha Shetty (India) 46.75, Silver — Yashvi Babariya (Oman) 43.39, Bronze — Sonam Wangmo Tamang (Nepal) 40.38
- Junior Male: Gold — Raj Cajole (India) 46.50, Silver — Nibisun Tamang (Nepal) 36.83, Bronze — Jay Rajesh Sonja (Oman) 31.76
- Junior Female: Gold — Anika Rana (India) 45.33, Silver — Priya Gharti Chhetri (Nepal) 36.79, Bronze — Thuvesha Ramesh (Sri Lanka) 36.23
Twisting Body Individual
- Junior Male: Gold — Adarsh (India) 47.83, Silver — Alikhan Rakhmano (Uzbekistan) 37.76, Bronze — Paranjay Sanjeev Vyas (Oman) 35.39
- Senior Male: Gold — Subhajit Karmakar (India) 45.42, Silver — Alan (Uzbekistan) 39.73, Bronze — Arkan Fauzan Riyanto (Indonesia) 38.09
- Senior Female: Gold — Madhu Verma (India) 44.08, Silver — Ansatbaeva Aysulu Arislan (Uzbekistan) 37.39, Bronze — Sreya Nagasubramaniam (Oman) 36.79
Supine Individual
- Junior Male: Gold — Drona (India) 37.91, Silver — Babin Shrestha (Nepal) 35.44, Bronze — Jay Rajesh Soneji (Oman) 33.64
- Senior Female: Gold — Riya (India) 42.48, Silver — Asian Kuanysheva (Kazakhstan) 41.30, Bronze — Djumanova Akiya Abubakir kizi (Uzbekistan) 39.84
About World Yogasana
World Yogasana is the international governing body for Yogasana, committed to promoting and developing Yogasana as a competitive sport globally. The organisation works towards standardising the sport, conducting international championships, supporting national federations, and fostering participation across age groups while preserving the essence and heritage of yoga.
About Yogasana Bharat
Yogasana Bharat is the National Sports Federation for Yogasana in India, recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and affiliated with the Indian Olympic Association and World Yogasana. Dedicated to the growth and promotion of Yogasana as a competitive sport, the organisation works towards athlete development, standardisation of the sport, conducting national championships, and expanding participation across the country while preserving India's rich yogic heritage.
