India showcased remarkable talent at the inaugural World Yogasana Championships 2026 held in Ahmedabad, clinching five out of the first six gold medals on offer. This event marks a significant milestone for the sport, with the Eka Arena serving as the backdrop for an impressive display from the Indian contingent. Athletes represented various categories in an effort to highlight both tradition and competitive spirit.

Impressive Victories by Abhay Burman and Ritu Mondal

West Bengal’s Abhay Burman launched the campaign for India by winning the gold medal in the Senior Male Traditional Yogasana category, achieving a score of 63.42 points. He finished ahead of Indonesia’s Arkan Riyanto, who secured the silver with 57.23 points, while Uzbekistan’s Alan took the bronze with 53.21 points. Burman expressed pride in securing the first gold for India and shared how the support from the enthusiastic crowd fueled his performance.

In the Senior Female category, Ritu Mondal followed Burman’s success by earning gold with a score of 64.33 points. She overcame Kazakhstan’s Aizhan Kuanyshbayeva, who won silver with 58.97 points, and Hong Kong’s Lam Nga Man, who finished in bronze position with 56.98 points. Mondal reflected on her journey, noting the significance of winning for her country and acknowledging her team for their support throughout her training.

Mixed Results in Other Categories

The only event not won by the host nation was in the Senior A Male category, where Singapore’s Nathaniel Tan Leong An claimed the gold with a score of 55.37 points. Tanzania’s Karimu Swafi took silver with 54.99 points, while India’s Sumir Gnawali secured the bronze, finishing with 54.00 points. India quickly regained momentum in the succeeding categories, as Ritu Thakur brought home another gold in the Senior A Female category, scoring 63.50 points and edging out Argentina’s Nabila Sol Barraza, who scored 62.04 points. Kenya’s Awuor Saulinha rounded out the podium to take bronze.

Roshan Thapa further added to India’s tally by winning gold in the Senior B Male category, scoring 65.67 points. He outperformed Bangladesh’s Md Mamun Khan Babu with 58.57 points, while Kyrgyzstan’s Danil Rykov took third place with 53.55 points. The Indian success continued with Jyoti Deurkar winning the gold in the Twisting Body Individual Senior B Female category, achieving a score of 46.14 points ahead of Oman’s Olimuthu Navamani and Japan’s Saori Kyuei.

Historical Significance and Support for Yogasana

The inaugural World Yogasana Championships represents a pivotal moment in the development of Yogasana as a competitive sport, bringing global attention to this ancient Indian practice. The event aims to strengthen its pathway to Olympic recognition. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, along with other government departments, are backing this initiative, emphasizing the importance of establishing Yogasana as a recognized global discipline. A 122-member contingent from India is participating, with athletes competing across various age categories, showcasing the country’s commitment to this sport’s future.

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