UAE bend, stretch and strike gold in record-breaking Yogasana debut

Fujairah: The air was filled with rhythmic breathing, the quiet focus of competitors, and bursts of applause as the UAE’s Yogasana team stood tall on the podium — again and again. In the space of two days, the host nation turned a first-ever appearance at the Asian Yogasana Championship into a landmark sporting moment, collecting a record 27 medals and pushing powerhouse India close for the top spot.

The tally — seven gold, 12 silver and eight bronze — is the largest ever achieved by a Middle East country in the event’s history, and it unfolded in front of a home crowd at the Zayed Sports Complex last weekend.

For a debutant team, the scale of the achievement was remarkable. Facing seasoned opponents from 15 other countries, the UAE’s athletes matched technical precision with composure, holding their own in a discipline where strength, flexibility and mental control must work in perfect harmony.

The sixth edition of the championship brought together 160 athletes from across Asia under the umbrella of the Ministry of Sports, the Asian Yogasana Sports Federation, the UAE Sports for All Federation and the UAE Yoga Committee. India, the traditional powerhouse of Yogasana, found themselves closely shadowed by the hosts — a development that turned heads across the arena.

“The championship’s success reflects the UAE leadership’s vision to promote both sports development and cultural exchange,” said Saeed Al Ajil, Chairman of the Organising Committee. “It’s about bringing people together as much as it is about winning medals.”

The event also featured the Asian Yoga Excellence Awards, celebrating six prominent figures for their contributions to yoga, public health and cultural heritage.

While the weekend’s podium finishes grabbed headlines, they are part of a much bigger picture. The UAE Yoga Committee — operating under the Ministry of Sports and the UAE Sports for All Federation — has been building a regulatory framework for yoga practices nationwide.

“With over 200 nationalities in the UAE, we embrace all forms of yoga without discrimination,” said Ahmed Ibrahim, President of the UAE Yoga Committee and vice-chairman of the Asian Yogasana Federation. “Yoga is not tied to any religion. By focusing first on its physical benefits, we make it more accessible — and from there, people often discover its deeper value.”

From elite competition to community outreach, the UAE’s yoga drive is accelerating. Plans include integrating yoga into school curricula, training Emirati coaches and referees, and organising major public events. The Dubai Fitness Challenge in November will feature a mass ‘Dubai Yoga’ sunset session as one of its closing highlights.

Earlier this year, the International Day of Yoga on June 21 drew more than 30,000 participants to sessions at over 35 iconic UAE locations, including the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Frame — a testament to the practice’s growing appeal.

For the athletes in Fujairah, the weekend was about more than topping personal bests. It was about showing that the UAE, known for its skyscrapers and sporting extravaganzas, is also emerging as a serious player in disciplines rooted in wellness, precision and discipline.

“This result proves we can compete with the best in Asia,” said one team coach, watching his students collect their medals. “It’s the start of something bigger.”

Indeed, the blend of competition and cultural connection on display in Fujairah fits squarely with the UAE’s broader goals — positioning itself as a regional hub not only for sport but for healthy living.

As the last medals were awarded and the flags came down, the UAE team left the mats with smiles and a sense of history made. In the quiet after the applause, their achievement felt like more than a victory — it was a statement: the UAE has arrived in Asian Yogasana, and this is only the beginning.