Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Sunday, June 28, 2026, lauded India's dominant performance at the World Yogasana Championship, held in Ahmedabad, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had congratulated all participants during his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat and praised the country's achievement of topping the medals tally.

In his post, CM Patel highlighted that India secured a total of 114 medals, including a remarkable 102 gold medals, to claim the top position in the overall standings at the championship. Translating his words: 'This historic success of the grand championship organised on the soil of Ahmedabad underscores the growing glory of yoga at the global level.'

Context

The World Yogasana Championship was hosted in Ahmedabad, Gujarat — a significant choice given the city's stature as India's first UNESCO World Heritage City and its deep cultural ties to the traditions that gave rise to yoga. CM Patel described the event as a 'grand championship' and its outcome as a 'historic success.' Prime Minister Modi's acknowledgement of the feat during Mann Ki Baat — his monthly unscripted broadcast to citizens — gave the achievement national prominence.

Policy Backdrop

India has systematically elevated yoga as a pillar of its soft-power diplomacy since the United Nations designated June 21 as International Day of Yoga in 2015, following a proposal by Prime Minister Modi. Competitive yogasana — where practitioners are judged on precision, flexibility, and form — has grown into a structured international sport under the aegis of the Yogasana Sports Federation of India, which has worked to bring the discipline under the national sports framework. Hosting a world championship on Indian soil, specifically in Ahmedabad, reinforces the government's intent to position India not merely as yoga's birthplace but as its global competitive hub.

Stakeholders and Impact

India's haul of 102 gold medals out of 114 total medals represents an overwhelming dominance of the competition and is a direct validation of the athletes, coaches, and state sports bodies that have invested in competitive yogasana. For Gujarat, hosting the championship adds to the state's growing portfolio of large-scale international sporting and cultural events. CM Patel framed the achievement as more than a sporting victory, calling it 'a powerful medium to connect the entire world with India's timeless heritage.'

What's Next

The championship's outcome is likely to strengthen calls for yogasana's inclusion in mainstream multi-sport events, a goal the Yogasana Sports Federation of India has been actively pursuing. With Prime Minister Modi spotlighting the achievement on Mann Ki Baat and state leaders amplifying the message, the government's soft-power narrative around yoga is set to intensify ahead of future international engagements. Ahmedabad's successful hosting could also make it a frontrunner for future editions of the championship.