102 golds, 114 medals: the inaugural World Yoga Championships in India

Athletes perform at the inaugural World Yoga Championships in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: India topped the medal table at the inaugural World Yoga Championships, bagging 114 medals, including 102 gold, as the event concluded in Ahmedabad on Monday.Japan placed second with three gold, three silver and five bronze medals. Argentina finished third, its lone athlete Nabila Barraza winning two gold and three silver medals.Nepal finished the competition with 52 medals – one gold, 36 silver and 15 bronze – making it the second most successful contingent in terms of total medals won. The team finished fifth in the medal standings.Uzbekistan secured 25 medals, including one gold, 13 silver and 11 bronze.A total of 522 athletes from 79 countries took part in the championship. Athletes from 31 countries won at least one medal, while 10 nations claimed at least one gold medal.Host India fielded a 122-member contingent in six age categories: Sub-Junior Men and Women (10-14 years), Junior Men and Women (14-18 years), Senior (18-28 years), Senior A (28-35 years), Senior B (35-45 years) and Senior C (45-55 years).The inaugural Yogasana World Championships marked the event’s first year and represented a step in the effort to establish Yogasana as a competitive international sport while also advancing efforts for Olympic recognition. The Yogasana World Championship 2026 was supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Syush, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Gujarat Sports Authority, Gujarat Tourism and Gujarat Yogasana Sports Association – making yoga a global sporting discipline and paving the way for Olympic recognition.