India's yogasana demonstration drew widespread admiration from delegations of China and South Africa at the inaugural BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Demonstration Games 2026, held on Monday, 13 October at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad. The one-day event brought together close to 160 participants from 10 nations, celebrating the rich diversity of traditional and indigenous sporting disciplines from across the BRICS-plus bloc.

India's Triple Showcase: Yogasana, Mallakhamb and Kalaripayattu

As the host nation, India presented three demonstration disciplines — yogasana, mallakhamb, and kalaripayattu. A well-choreographed rhythmic yogasana display preceded a high-intensity mallakhamb performance by India's young contingent, both of which drew a roaring response from a 3,000-strong crowd at the venue. India also fielded the largest contingent at the event, with 50 participants, followed by China with 30, Iran with 22, and South Africa with 14.

What China and South Africa Said

Philasande Macwili, Chef-De-Mission of South Africa, expressed his delegation's enthusiasm for yogasana. 'Yoga is one of the activities in South Africa that people use to detox, relieve stress and improve movement and flexibility. We embrace it, and we love it,' he said. 'It demands a lot from your body. Still, those South Africans who enjoy it practise it every day,' he added.

Yi Liu, Chef-De-Mission of China, was equally effusive. 'Today we looked and learned so much about yoga. Even yesterday during practice, we saw young children practising the amazing movements. We want to learn so much more about it,' Liu said. Liu also praised India's hospitality, noting that members of the Chinese delegation said they had 'never felt more warmly received' — citing a dance group that greeted them at the airport upon arriving at midnight, as well as the quality of local cuisine, including dosa.

India's Yogasana Dominance in Context

The warm reception at the BRICS Games comes on the back of India's standout performance at the Yogasana World Championships held in Ahmedabad in June 2026, where the country won 114 medals, including 102 golds. The championships drew 79 nations and 522 athletes, with 31 countries winning at least one medal and 10 securing at least one gold. Africa was also notably well-represented at that edition, underlining the global spread of the discipline.

Cultural Exchange and Sportsmanship

The event went beyond competitive demonstration, serving as a platform for cross-cultural sporting exchange. In one widely noted moment, a Chinese wushu athlete was seen teaching the finer points of the discipline to athletes from the Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence in Narayanpura. Participating nations showcased a rich array of traditional forms — from Belarus' Gorodki and Bolivia's Lucha de Cholitas to Kazakhstan's Togyzkumalak and Brazil's Capoeira.

Zlata Yakovleva, Head of Delegation of Russia, described the event as 'unbelievable', adding: 'The hospitality of the Indian side is awesome. I guess the biggest and most favourite part for me is the friendship among the BRICS countries. We really enjoy participating together in such events.'

Ahmedabad's Growing Role in Global Sport

The event further cements Ahmedabad's credentials as a hub for international sporting events. The city is already slated to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, and this inaugural BRICS Traditional Games edition positions it as a venue that can blend sporting ambition with cultural diplomacy. With yogasana gaining traction across the BRICS nations, India's push to globalise its indigenous disciplines appears to be bearing tangible results.