World Yogasana Championship Success Gives India a Head Start for CWG 2030

Ahmedabad: The overwhelming success of India at the inaugural World Yogasana Championships has not only showcased the country's dominance in the sport but has also strengthened preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, where Yogasana is expected to feature as a medal event.

Among the stars of the tournament was 14-year-old Ishika Guchhait, whose journey began when her mother encouraged her to take up yoga to develop discipline. Coming from a humble background, with her father earning a living by selling betel leaves, Ishika went on to win a gold medal for India. Another inspiring participant was Gujarat's Heena Rajbhor, a successful model whose deep interest in Yoga Shastra has driven her to actively research the subject.

The stories of Ishika, Heena, and hundreds of other athletes reflected the diverse backgrounds of competitors who represented India at the championship held at Ahmedabad's EKA Arena from June 4 to 8. Their dedication helped the host nation dominate the event, which featured more than 400 athletes from 78 countries.

India finished at the top of the medal standings with an impressive haul of 114 medals, including 102 gold, nine silver, and three bronze medals. The remarkable performance was the result of extensive preparation undertaken jointly by Yogasana Bharat, the national federation, and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

Chief coach Chandra Kant Mishra revealed that the Indian team underwent a month-long intensive training camp at SAI Gandhinagar. The camp was supported by seven coaches, three physiotherapists, two masseurs, and a dietician, ensuring athletes received comprehensive training and recovery support.

Reflecting on her experience, Ishika said the camp transformed her understanding of professional sport. She learned the importance of nutrition, fitness, recovery, and coordinated practice with her partner before eventually winning gold in the rhythmic pair sub-junior girls category.

Mishra emphasized that competitive Yogasana is significantly different from yoga practiced for health and mindfulness. Athletes must develop exceptional strength, endurance, flexibility, and body control to perform and hold complex asanas under competitive conditions. During the camp, participants followed strict diets, endurance training programs, and practiced for nearly six hours daily.

While India dominated the championships, Mishra cautioned that maintaining this supremacy would not be easy. He noted that competitors from countries such as Russia, Japan, and several European nations displayed impressive physical strength and emerged as strong challengers.

Under the World Yogasana Federation's structured scoring system, athletes are judged on the precision of their asanas, facial expressions, and their ability to maintain postures for extended periods. To ensure consistency worldwide, the federation has standardized the evaluation of 250 asanas and continues to expand coaching and judging programs internationally.

Looking ahead, Yogasana Bharat President Udit Seth described the championship as the beginning of a much larger global mission. He said future plans include continental championships, professional leagues, athlete development initiatives, and stronger international federations aimed at transforming Yogasana into a worldwide sporting movement.

India's long-term ambitions are closely tied to the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and the country's bid to host the 2036 Olympics. SAI is already planning the establishment of five Centres of Excellence dedicated to training Yogasana athletes, while opportunities for employment under the sports quota are also being explored.

The inaugural World Yogasana Championships have provided a strong foundation for the sport's future growth. With international interest rising and institutional support expanding, India appears well-positioned to remain at the forefront of Yogasana's journey toward becoming a major global competitive sport.
 

With inputs from IANS