World Yogasana Championships 2026: How India Turned an Ancient Tradition into a Global Sporting Spectacle
The inaugural World Yogasana Championships in Ahmedabad brought together over 400 athletes from more than 60 countries, marking a landmark step in Yogasana’s journey towards becoming an internationally recognised competitive sport.
The centuries-old practice of yoga entered a new era as India successfully hosted the inaugural World Yogasana Championships 2026 at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad from June 4 to June 8. The historic event saw more than 400 athletes representing over 60 countries compete across multiple categories, highlighting Yogasana’s transformation from a wellness discipline into a structured international sport.
Backed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, the Ministry of AYUSH, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and other stakeholders, the championship was designed to showcase India’s traditional heritage while strengthening Yogasana’s case for future recognition in the global sporting ecosystem.
A New Chapter for Yogasana
Unlike conventional yoga sessions that focus on health, mindfulness and spirituality, competitive Yogasana places athletes under a judging system where flexibility, balance, strength, stability, posture, precision and artistic presentation are evaluated. Participants performed a series of demanding asanas within prescribed routines, with scores awarded for technical execution and overall performance.
The championship featured events such as:
Traditional Yogasana
Artistic Yogasana
Rhythmic Pair
Artistic Pair
Team competitions
Athletes competed across multiple age groups, making the tournament one of the largest gatherings of elite Yogasana performers ever organised.
India Dominates on Home Soil
Host nation India made an emphatic statement in the opening rounds by winning five of the first six gold medals.
Among the standout performances:
Traditional Senior Men’s Gold: Abhay Burman (India) – 63.42 points
Traditional Senior Women’s Gold: Ritu Mondal (India) – 64.33 points
Traditional Senior A Women’s Gold: Ritu Thakur (India) – 63.50 points
Traditional Senior B Men’s Gold: Roshan Thapa (India) – 65.67 points
Twisting Body Individual Senior B Women’s Gold: Jyoti Deurkar (India) – 46.14 points
Singapore’s Nathaniel Tan Leong An claimed the Traditional Senior A Men’s title, preventing a complete Indian sweep in the opening medal events.
By the conclusion of the five-day championship, India had stamped its authority by finishing with an extraordinary 114 medals, including 102 gold medals, while Japan finished second in the medal standings with 11 medals (3 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze).
Olympic Ambitions Gather Momentum
The World Yogasana Championships are viewed as a significant milestone in India’s long-term vision of securing wider international recognition for Yogasana. Organisers believe the introduction of standardised rules, certified judging systems and global participation strengthens the sport’s credentials as it seeks a place in future multi-sport events.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also described the championship as an important step in Yogasana’s global sporting journey, noting the growing worldwide popularity of yoga and congratulating the organisers for creating a platform that brings athletes from different nations together.
A Historic Beginning
For decades, yoga has been celebrated for promoting physical and mental well-being. The inaugural World Yogasana Championships demonstrated that its physical dimension can also thrive in a competitive environment without losing sight of its cultural roots.
With participation from dozens of nations, world-class performances and overwhelming support from sporting authorities, the first edition of the championship has laid a strong foundation for Yogasana’s future as an internationally recognised competitive discipline.
