Hosts India capped off a dominant campaign at the inaugural World Yogasana Championships by finishing with 114 medals, including a staggering 102 gold medals, at the EKA Arena on Monday.
India’s overwhelming success left the rest of the field far behind. Japan finished second with three gold, three silver and five bronze medals, while Argentina secured third place, courtesy of Nabila Barraza’s haul of two gold and three silver medals.
Nepal emerged as the second-most successful nation in terms of overall medal count, claiming 52 medals — one gold, 36 silver and 15 bronze — to finish fifth in the standings. Uzbekistan ended its campaign with 25 medals, including one gold, 13 silver and 11 bronze.
The five-day championship attracted 522 athletes from 79 countries, with competitors from 31 nations winning at least one medal. Ten countries managed to secure at least one gold medal.
The event marked a significant milestone for Yogasana, showcasing its evolution from an ancient Indian practice into a competitive global sport. Organisers also highlighted the championship as a step towards gaining wider international recognition and strengthening Yogasana’s aspirations for future inclusion in the Olympic movement.
India fielded a 122-member contingent across six age categories, ranging from sub-junior to senior C divisions. Athletes competed in artistic pair, rhythmic pair and multiple individual disciplines, with Indian participants dominating nearly every category.
World Yogasana President Yogrishi Swami Ramdev described the championship as the beginning of a global movement, expressing confidence that the sport’s journey would eventually lead to the Olympic stage.
Beyond competition, the tournament served as a cultural exchange platform, bringing together athletes from across the globe. Armenia’s Sona Soghayan, who took up yoga during her second pregnancy three years ago, said the event had left her with lasting memories and inspired her to promote yoga in her home country.
(IANS)
