Bareilly: India added another golden chapter to its growing legacy in Yogasana sports as Praveen Kumar Pathak, a Ph.D. research scholar at Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, clinched the gold medal in the Artistic Yogasana – Senior Men’s category at the First World Yogasana Championship 2026.
The prestigious championship was held from June 4 to 8 at TransStadia Stadium, attracting competitors from more than 75 countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Argentina, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
Pathak’s outstanding performance impressed international judges and reaffirmed India’s dominance in the field of Yogasana. His latest achievement comes after winning a gold medal at the Asian Yogasana Championship last year, further cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s rising stars.
An accomplished academic and athlete, Pathak holds a B.Sc. in Physical Education and an M.Sc. in Yoga Science. He is currently pursuing doctoral research at Rohilkhand University while continuing his journey as a competitive Yogasana practitioner.
Congratulating the champion, Vice-Chancellor Prof. K. P. Singh said the victory reflects not only Pathak’s dedication and perseverance but also the university’s commitment to promoting yoga and sports culture. He highlighted the university’s “Yoga Vatika” initiative as a significant step toward fostering excellence in yoga education and practice.
Speaking after his victory, Pathak dedicated the medal to the nation and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for helping elevate yoga’s global profile. He also acknowledged the contributions of yoga guru Swami Ramdev and other spiritual leaders who have worked to popularize yoga worldwide.
Pathak, who dreams of becoming both a professor and a champion athlete, believes that determination and discipline can help sportspersons achieve any goal. His achievement has been widely celebrated by the university community, which described him as a symbol of national pride and an inspiration for students and researchers across the country.
The remarkable victory not only brings glory to Rohilkhand University but also reinforces India’s position as a global leader in the practice and promotion of Yogasana.
