India showcased its prowess at the first World Yogasana Championships in Ahmedabad, with 14-year-old Ishika Guchhait and model Heena Rajbhor among the standout performers. The Indian contingent secured a remarkable 114 medals, including 102 gold, in a competition featuring over 400 athletes from 78 nations.
Preparation played a key role in India’s success, with the national federation and the Sports Authority of India providing top-notch training facilities. The rigorous month-long training camp at SAI Gandhinagar, overseen by a dedicated team of coaches and support staff, proved instrumental in honing the athletes’ skills.
Looking ahead, India is gearing up for the Commonwealth Games 2030, where yogasana will be introduced as a medal sport. There is also optimism about yoga making its Olympic debut if India hosts the Summer Olympics in 2036, given its growing global appeal.
Chief coach Chandra Kant Mishra highlighted the intense training regimen the team underwent, emphasizing the distinction between yoga for recovery and competitive yogasana. Athletes pushed their limits through endurance running, specialized diets, and daily six-hour training sessions to excel on the world stage.
The competition was fierce, with countries like Russia and Japan posing strong challenges. Mishra acknowledged the need for India to maintain its dominance by enhancing technical skills and physical strength to counter formidable opponents.
The scoring system at the championships evaluated participants based on the precision of their asanas, facial expressions, and ability to sustain postures. The World Yogasana Federation’s efforts to standardize scoring and promote the sport globally reflect a push towards potential Olympic recognition.
Yogasana Bharat president Udit Seth outlined a vision beyond championships, aiming to establish a robust global ecosystem through continental events, professional leagues, and athlete development initiatives. The future trajectory of yogasana involves evolving into a widespread sporting movement.
In line with future aspirations, the Sports Authority of India plans to establish five Centers of Excellence for yogasana training and offer job opportunities for athletes under the sports quota. The inaugural World Yogasana Championships have laid a strong foundation for the sport’s growth and India’s continued success.
