India tightened its grip on the inaugural World Yogasana Championships in Ahmedabad on Saturday, raising its tally to 22 gold medals. As the country celebrates global success in Yogasana, Tripura is also witnessing growing enthusiasm for yoga, with the Indian Army recently conducting a wellness-focused yoga programme in Agartala ahead of International Yoga Day.
Quick Glance
- India leads the World Yogasana Championships with 22 gold medals.
- Argentina, Singapore and Nepal occupy the next three positions in the medal standings.
- Ritu Mondal added a second gold medal to her championship campaign.
- In Tripura, the Indian Army organised a yoga session at Ujjayanta Palace ahead of International Yoga Day.
Agartala/Ahmedabad: India maintained complete control of the medal race on the third day of the inaugural World Yogasana Championships at Ahmedabad’s EKA Arena. The host nation extended its lead with a remarkable haul of 22 gold medals, five silver medals and one bronze medal.
Indian participants delivered strong performances across several age categories and disciplines. They secured podium finishes in most events and further demonstrated the country’s strength in Yogasana as a competitive sport.
The championship has emerged as a significant global platform for Yogasana. Organisers view the event as an important step in transforming an ancient Indian wellness tradition into an internationally recognised sporting discipline.
Argentina, Nepal & Singapore Make Progress
While India remains comfortably ahead, other nations improved their positions in the standings.
Argentina climbed to second place after a stellar performance by Nabila Sol Barraza, who collected two gold and two silver medals. Singapore slipped to third place despite maintaining a strong medal tally. Nepal emerged as one of the day’s biggest gainers and moved into fourth position with ten medals overall.
Japan, Nepal and the United States each secured a gold medal during Saturday’s competitions, highlighting the growing international participation in Yogasana.
Medal Standings After Day Three
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 22 | 5 | 1 |
| Argentina | 2 | 2 | – |
| Singapore | 2 | – | 2 |
| Nepal | 1 | 6 | 3 |
Ritu Mondal Adds Another Gold for India
Among India’s standout performers, Ritu Mondal continued her impressive run by winning a team gold medal after earlier claiming the Traditional Yogasana Senior A Female title.
Her latest achievement further strengthened India’s dominance at the championship. Speaking after her victory, Mondal expressed happiness at exceeding her own expectations. She said the success reflected years of dedication and acknowledged the support she received from those who stood beside her throughout her journey.
Other gold medallists included Japan’s Miyoko Kusunoki, Nepal’s Durga Panta and Kemi Blake of the United States.
Global Recognition for Yogasana Gains Momentum
The World Yogasana Championships has attracted attention from sports administrators and wellness advocates worldwide. The tournament enjoys support from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Ayush, Sports Authority of India, Sports Authority of Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism and the Gujarat Yogasana Sports Association.
Stakeholders believe the championship could play a major role in expanding Yogasana’s international footprint. Many also see it as a step towards greater acceptance within the global sporting community and a possible pathway towards future Olympic recognition.
The competition features athletes from multiple countries and age groups, reinforcing the growing popularity of Yogasana beyond India’s borders.
Tripura Reflects National Enthusiasm for Yoga
India’s success at the world championship is finding resonance across the country. In Tripura, preparations for the upcoming International Yoga Day have already generated considerable interest.
Earlier this month, the Red Shield Division under the Spear Corps of the Indian Army organised a special yoga programme at Agartala’s historic Ujjayanta Palace in collaboration with the civil administration.
The session attracted enthusiastic participation from Army personnel. Participants practised yoga postures, pranayama and meditation exercises designed to improve physical fitness, mental wellness and stress management.
Held against the backdrop of one of Tripura’s most iconic landmarks, the programme highlighted the growing acceptance of yoga as both a lifestyle practice and a tool for holistic well-being.
Defence officials said the initiative reflected the Army’s commitment to promoting community welfare, social harmony and healthy living.
Why the Championship Matters
The inaugural World Yogasana Championships represents more than a sporting event. It symbolises India’s effort to take yoga beyond traditional wellness circles and establish Yogasana as a structured global sport.
As Indian athletes continue to dominate international competition, grassroots initiatives such as the recent yoga programme in Agartala demonstrate how the movement is gaining momentum across regions, including the Northeast.
The combination of international sporting success and local participation is helping strengthen yoga’s role in promoting fitness, discipline and mental well-being throughout the country.
News Analysis
India’s commanding performance at the World Yogasana Championships reinforces its leadership in a discipline rooted in its cultural heritage. The event also highlights the growing institutional support behind efforts to internationalise Yogasana as a competitive sport.
The developments in Tripura offer an important local perspective. The Army-led yoga programme at Ujjayanta Palace indicates that yoga promotion is not limited to elite sporting events. Instead, it is increasingly becoming part of broader public wellness initiatives.
As International Yoga Day approaches, the convergence of international success and community-level participation could further accelerate yoga’s popularity across India’s northeastern states and beyond.
People Also Ask
What is the World Yogasana Championships?
The World Yogasana Championships is an international competition that showcases Yogasana as a competitive sporting discipline featuring athletes from multiple countries.
How many gold medals has India won at the championship?
India has won 22 gold medals, along with five silver and one bronze medal after three days of competition.
What yoga event was recently held in Tripura?
The Indian Army’s Red Shield Division organised a yoga session at Ujjayanta Palace in Agartala ahead of International Yoga Day to promote wellness and healthy living.