Hosts India displayed exceptional performance at the World Yogasana Championships 2026 by winning five out of the first six gold medals. The event took place at the Eka Arena in Ahmedabad, showcasing India’s dominance in the global yoga competition. Abhay Burman and Ritu Mondal from West Bengal set the stage with gold medal victories in the Traditional Yogasana category, kicking off India’s impressive run.
Burman claimed India’s first gold medal with a score of 63.42 points, outshining competitors from Indonesia and Uzbekistan. Reflecting on his win, Burman expressed immense pride in contributing to India’s strong start in the historic championship. Following suit, Ritu Mondal secured another gold for India in the senior female category with a score of 64.33 points, surpassing participants from Kazakhstan and Hong Kong.
The significance of the event was not lost on Mondal, who described it as a dream come true for every Yogasana athlete. She highlighted the years of dedication and hard work that led to this moment, thanking her support team for their guidance. While India missed a clean sweep in the Senior A Male category, the country quickly bounced back with Ritu Thakur clinching gold in the Senior A Female category, edging out competitors from Argentina and Kenya.
Roshan Thapa further bolstered India’s medal tally by winning the Senior B Male category with an impressive score of 65.67 points. The championships concluded with Jyoti Deurkar securing gold in the Twisting Body Individual Senior B Female category. The event marked a significant milestone in the evolution of Yogasana, elevating the ancient Indian practice to a competitive global sport and advancing its Olympic aspirations.
India’s participation in the World Yogasana Championships 2026 was supported by various entities, including the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Ministry of Ayush, and Sports Authority of India. The contingent comprised 122 athletes competing across different age categories, reflecting a collective effort to establish Yogasana as a recognized global sporting discipline.
