Ahmedabad witnessed a historic chapter in the evolution of Yogasana as a competitive sport, with India delivering an extraordinary performance at the inaugural World Yogasana Championships 2026. The hosts concluded the five-day event at EKA Arena with a staggering haul of 114 medals, including an unprecedented 102 gold medals, firmly establishing themselves as the leading force in the emerging global discipline.
The championship brought together 522 athletes from 79 countries, making it the largest international Yogasana competition ever held. Athletes competed across multiple disciplines and age categories, highlighting the rapid global growth of a sport rooted in India’s ancient traditions. The event represented a significant step in transforming Yogasana from a cultural practice into a structured international sporting discipline with aspirations of future Olympic recognition.
India’s dominance was evident throughout the competition. Japan finished a distant second with three gold, three silver and five bronze medals, while Argentina secured third place on the medal table thanks largely to the remarkable performance of its sole athlete, Nabila Barraza, who won two gold and three silver medals. Nepal emerged as one of the most successful nations in terms of overall medal count, collecting 52 medals, including one gold, 36 silver and 15 bronze. Uzbekistan also impressed with 25 medals, comprising one gold, 13 silver and 11 bronze.
A total of 31 nations finished the championships with at least one medal, while 10 countries succeeded in winning gold. The widespread distribution of medals reflected the growing international appeal of Yogasana and the increasing standards of competition across continents.
The inaugural championship was supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Ministry of Ayush, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Sports Authority of Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism and the Gujarat Yogasana Sports Association. Organisers viewed the event as a landmark initiative in positioning Yogasana alongside other recognised international sports while promoting India’s cultural heritage on a global stage.
India fielded a strong 122-member contingent across six age categories, including Sub-Junior, Junior, Senior, Senior A, Senior B and Senior C divisions. Athletes competed in individual, artistic and team events under internationally standardised rules. The championship also introduced an electronic scoring system at the global level for the first time, a move designed to improve transparency, consistency and fairness in judging.
The significance of the event extended beyond medals and rankings. During the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the championship as an important moment in global sports and expressed confidence that Yogasana could eventually find a place in the Olympic movement. The international federation governing the sport has similarly identified Olympic recognition as one of its long-term goals.
In a video message, Yogrishi Swami Ramdevi Ji Maharaj, President of World Yogasana, emphasised the broader purpose behind the championship. “World Yogasana Championship is not the destination; it is the beginning of a global movement. Yoga is not merely a sport, it is a way of life, a path to health, harmony, peace and human unity. Every athlete here is not just a champion, but an ambassador of yoga to the world.
“Today we celebrate medals and champions, but tomorrow we must create a world connected through yoga. I firmly believe that the journey which began here will one day take Yogasana to the Olympic stage and inspire generations across the globe,” he said.
Beyond the competition floor, the event became a celebration of cultural exchange. Athletes from around the world experienced India’s hospitality and learned about the history and philosophy behind Yogasana. Armenia’s Sona Soghayan, who began practising yoga during her second pregnancy three years ago, described her visit as a memorable experience.
“I will carry a lot of pleasant memories from my first visit to India. I hope to spread the concept of yoga among my friends after going back to Armenia as this sport helps a lot to maintain our wellbeing.”
As the curtains came down on the first World Yogasana Championships, Ahmedabad successfully showcased how an ancient Indian practice can evolve into a modern international sporting spectacle. With record participation, strong global representation and overwhelming local success, the championship has laid a strong foundation for Yogasana’s future growth and its ambition of becoming a recognised fixture on the world sporting calendar.
