India Triumphs at the First World Yogasana Championships

India's Medal Haul

India concluded its participation in the inaugural World Yogasana Championships with an impressive total of 114 medals, which included a remarkable 102 gold medals, showcasing their dominance at the EKA Arena on Monday.

Japan secured the second position with a total of three gold, three silver, and five bronze medals, while Argentina claimed third place, thanks to Nabila Barraza, who earned two gold and three silver medals.

Nepal emerged as the second most successful nation in terms of total medals, achieving 52 medals, which comprised one gold, 36 silver, and 15 bronze, placing them fifth overall. Uzbekistan followed with 25 medals, including one gold, 13 silver, and 11 bronze.

The championships saw participation from 522 athletes representing 79 countries, with 31 nations winning at least one medal, and ten of those securing gold.

Significance of the Event

The inaugural World Yogasana Championships held in Ahmedabad, the future host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of Yogasana, transitioning this ancient Indian practice into a competitive global sport and enhancing its prospects for Olympic recognition.

This event received support from various governmental bodies, including the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Ministry of Ayush, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Sports Authority of Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, and the Gujarat Yogasana Sports Association, all contributing to the establishment of Yogasana as a recognized global sport.

Diverse Participation

India fielded a contingent of 122 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).

A Global Movement for Yogasana

In a video address, Yogrishi Swami Ramdevi Ji Maharaj, President of World Yogasana, described the championship as the inception of a global movement.

"The World Yogasana Championship is not the end; it marks the start of a worldwide initiative. Yoga transcends mere sport; it embodies a lifestyle promoting health, harmony, peace, and unity among humanity. Each athlete here is not just a champion but a yoga ambassador to the world," he stated.

"While we celebrate our champions today, we must aspire to create a world united through yoga. I am confident that this journey will eventually lead Yogasana to the Olympic stage, inspiring future generations globally," he added.

Athlete Experiences

The five-day event served as a cultural melting pot, where athletes experienced India's renowned hospitality and learned about the rich history of Yogasana.

Sona Soghayan from Armenia, who began practicing yoga during her second pregnancy three years ago, expressed her amazement at the sport's prominence in India. "I will cherish many wonderful memories from my first visit to India. I hope to promote the concept of yoga among my friends back in Armenia, as it greatly contributes to our well-being," she shared.

Competition 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 -- Sweekshya Thapa & Pragya Gautam (Nepal) 56.39, Bronze -- Tasila Blessings Phiri & Deborah (Zambia) 41.30.

Junior Male

Gold -- Ayush Bhowmik & Om Dehankar (India) 91.03, Silver -- Mukheshkar Rajan & Pratheesh Sanjeewakumar (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 -- Salini Dey (India) 45.00, Silver -- Sumanta (Nepal) 33.33, Bronze -- Aarohi Lokhande (Zambia) 32.84.

Hand Balance Individual Sub Junior Male

Gold -- Arthav 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 -- Alikhon 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 Kuanyshbayeva (Kazakhstan) 41.30, Bronze -- Djumanova Akiya Abubakir kizi (Uzbekistan) 39.84.