A young athlete from Vanthli in Gujarat’s Junagadh district, Shahnavaz Vaja, has made headlines by clinching two gold medals at the World Yogasana Championship in Ahmedabad ahead of ‘International Yoga Day’. Vaja, in his early twenties, excelled in the Hand Balance and Traditional Group-1 categories, competing against representatives from 78 countries. His journey into competitive yoga began with basic physical training for military service, guided by his father, Dawood, aiming for a career in the Indian Army or Police.
Vaja’s dedication to yoga as part of his fitness regimen since childhood has propelled him to national acclaim, boasting a record of over 25 gold medals and a total of 70 medals across various competitions. Despite initial skepticism towards yoga as a competitive pursuit, Vaja’s success has garnered recognition and respect from those who once doubted the sport’s potential. He attributes his achievements not only to his rigorous training routine, involving four to six hours of daily practice, but also to the changing perceptions of yoga as a legitimate sporting discipline.
Acknowledging the pivotal role played by his father and early mentors in nurturing his talent, Vaja remains focused on future aspirations, eyeing triumph at the Commonwealth Games in 2030, to be hosted in Ahmedabad. With a broader vision of securing more gold medals for India on the international stage, Vaja emphasizes the evolving landscape of competitive yoga, emphasizing the importance of consistent training and discipline in achieving success. He lauds the government’s support, particularly Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, for fostering the growth of yoga as a recognized sport, exemplified by events like the World Yogasana Championship.
