Three first-year students shine on the world stage, beating competitors from 79 countries
Three first-year students from Galgotias University have made the nation proud by winning five Gold Medals at the 1st World Yogasana Championship 2026. The event was held at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad from June 4 to June 8, 2026.
This was the first-ever edition of this championship, and it turned out to be a huge one. It brought together 522 athletes from 79 countries, making it the biggest international stage Yogasana has ever seen. The event was organised by Yogasana Bharat, working together with World Yogasana and the Indian Olympic Association.
Championship Highlights
Name and achievement of the student who made Galgotias University proud:
| Student | Course | Category Competed In | No. of Gold Medals Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ritu Mondal | First-year, BA Economics | Traditional Individual & Traditional Group | 2 |
| Riya Jha | First-year, BA English | Supine Individual (Senior Category) |
1 |
| Deepa Lodhi | First-year, BA English | Artistic Pair & Artistic Group (Junior Category) |
2 |
Between the three of them, the students picked up 5 Gold Medals across Traditional, Supine, Artistic Pair, and Artistic Group events.
India's Overall Performance
India didn't just do well in these individual wins — the country topped the entire medal table at the championship. India finished with 114 medals in total, out of which 102 were Gold. This shows how strong India's position is in a sport that actually originated in the country.
What the Students Said
- Ritu Mondal said the event showed just how fast Yogasana is growing around the world, and that it felt special to represent India in a sport that began here.
- Riya Jha said every category at the championship had tough international competition, and that winning has given her the confidence to aim for bigger championships in the future.
- Deepa Lodhi said the scale of this championship was unlike anything she had taken part in before, and competing against athletes from other countries taught her what it really takes to prepare for the global level.
What the University Said
Dr Dhruv Galgotia, CEO of Galgotias University, called it a big moment for the students and for Indian Yogasana as a whole. He pointed out that competing against athletes from 79 countries needs a completely different level of preparation, consistency, and discipline - and that winning five golds in that kind of company is no small feat.
About the Championship
- It was the first-ever World Yogasana Championship, held in 2026.
- Held at EKA Arena, Ahmedabad, from 4–8 June 2026.
- 522 athletes from 79 countries took part.
- Categories included traditional yogasana, artistic single, artistic pair, artistic group, rhythmic pair, and special flexibility and balance events.
- Organised by Yogasana Bharat, alongside World Yogasana and the Indian Olympic Association.
Why This Matters
This win adds to a growing list of achievements for Galgotias University students on the global stage - not just in sports, but also in innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, and academic competitions. For the three students, all in their very first year of college, it's a strong start to what looks like a promising sporting journey ahead.
