India Shines at Inaugural World Yogasana Championships 2026
India's Dominance in Yogasana
In a remarkable display of skill, India showcased its prowess at the inaugural World Yogasana Championships 2026, securing five out of the first six gold medals available at the Eka Arena. This event marks a significant milestone in the global recognition of Yogasana as a competitive sport.
Outstanding Performances by Indian Athletes
West Bengal's Abhay Burman and Ritu Mondal led the charge for India, both clinching gold medals in the Traditional Yogasana category. Burman achieved the first gold for India with a score of 63.42 points, outpacing Indonesia's Arkan Riyanto, who earned silver with 57.23 points, while Uzbekistan's Alan took bronze with 53.21 points. Burman expressed his pride, stating, "Winning the first gold medal of the inaugural World Yogasana Championships for India is a moment I will cherish forever. Competing at home in front of such passionate supporters gave me immense confidence."
Ritu Mondal followed suit, winning gold in the Senior Female category with a score of 64.33 points. Kazakhstan's Aizhan Kuanyshbayeva secured silver with 58.97 points, and Hong Kong's Lam Nga Man earned bronze with 56.98 points. Mondal reflected on her journey, saying, "This championship is a landmark moment for every Yogasana athlete. Winning a medal for India is a dream come true."
Continued Success for India
The only event not won by India was the Senior A Male category, where Singapore's Nathaniel Tan Leong An took gold with 55.37 points. Tanzania's Karimu Swafi earned silver with 54.99 points, while India's Sumir Gnawali secured bronze with 54.00 points.
India quickly regained momentum as Ritu Thakur captured gold in the Senior A Female category with 63.50 points, narrowly defeating Argentina's Nabila Sol Barraza, who scored 62.04 points. Kenya's Awuor Saulinha took bronze.
Roshan Thapa added another gold to India's tally in the Senior B Male category, scoring 65.67 points, while Bangladesh's Md Mamun Khan Babu and Kyrgyzstan's Danil Rykov finished second and third, respectively. Jyoti Deurkar rounded off the gold medal haul for India in the Twisting Body Individual Senior B Female category with a score of 46.14 points.
A Historic Event for Yogasana
The World Yogasana Championships 2026 signifies a pivotal moment in the evolution of Yogasana, transitioning from an ancient practice to a globally recognized sport, with aspirations for Olympic inclusion.
Supported by various government bodies, including the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the Ministry of Ayush, this event reflects a unified effort to promote Yogasana as a competitive discipline. India has sent a contingent of 122 athletes competing across six age categories.
Results Overview
Traditional Yogasana Senior Male:
Gold -- Abhay Burman (India) 63.42; Silver -- Arkan Riyanto (Indonesia) 57.23; Bronze -- Alan (Uzbekistan) 53.21
Senior Female:
Gold -- Ritu Mondal (India) 64.33; Silver -- Aizhan Kuanyshbayeva (Kazakhstan) 58.97; Bronze -- Lam Nga Man (Hong Kong) 56.98
Senior A Male:
Gold -- Nathaniel Tan Leong An (Singapore) 55.37; Silver -- Karimu Swafi (Tanzania) 54.99; Bronze -- Sumir Gnawali (India) 54.00
Senior A Female:
Gold -- Ritu Thakur (India) 63.50; Silver -- Nabila Sol Barraza (Argentina) 62.04; Bronze -- Awuor Saulinha (Kenya) 53.86
Senior B Male:
Gold -- Roshan Thapa (India) 65.67; Silver -- Md Mamun Khan Babu (Bangladesh) 58.57; Bronze -- Danil Rykov (Kyrgyzstan) 53.55
Twisting Body Individual Senior B Female:
Gold -- Jyoti Deurkar (India) 46.14; Silver -- Olimuthu Navamani (Oman) 38.66; Bronze -- Saori Kyuei (Japan) 38.41.