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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MAY 01, 2026 | The Indian Eye 26

United States Yogasana Championship 2026

Successfully Concludes in Connecticut

NEERAJ DHAR
Glastonbury, CT
he United States Yogasana Championship
2026, organized by the United States Yogas-
Tana Sports Federation (USYSF) in collab-
oration with the United States Yoga Association
(USYA), was successfully held at the Om Glaston-
bury Wellness Center in Connecticut. The event
was conducted under the affiliation of World Yo-
gasana, aligning with global standards for Yoga as a
competitive sport.
The championship featured traditional, artis-
tic, and rhythmic yoga categories, where athletes
demonstrated strength, flexibility, balance, and
discipline under standardized judging criteria. The
program included an opening ceremony with man-
tra chanting, athlete presentations, performances,
and medal distribution.
“This championship marks a significant mile-
stone in promoting Yoga as a competitive sport
in the United States while fostering health, dis-
cipline, and global unity,” said Balwinder Singh,
Founder and President of USYSF & USYA, along
with Vice President Mehak Sharma.

Gold Medalists

• Female categories: Sanvika Kannaji (8–10), Ve-
ronica Vega (10–14), Ashna Sabharwal (18–28),
Veena Vijju (28–35), Kemi Blake (35–45), Pri-
ti Dhariwal (45–55), Donna Moy (55–60), and
Geeta Patel (60+).
• Male categories: Karteek Bojanapali (35–45)
and Sanjay Attada (45–55).
The audience also enjoyed artistic perfor-
mances, including a solo by Ashna Sabharwal and
a group presentation on “Ai Giri Nandini.”
“It’s a beautiful championship, and I am hap-
py to host it at my wellness center,” said Katalin
Walinski, Founder of Om Glastonbury Wellness
Center. “Whether yoga is considered a sport is
subjective, since it can be viewed as a competitive
physical discipline or a traditional holistic prac-
tice. I am happy to compete at the first champion-
ship held,” Priti Dhariwal, a Yoga practitioner for
30 years mentioned.
The event was supported by partners includ-
ing the Consulate General of India in New York,
Canada Yogasana Federation, Hindu Diaspo- Yogasana as a recognized competitive sport across
ra Foundation, Hindu Temple Society of North the United States.
America, World Vision Vegan, Yoga Lotus, and
Om Glastonbury Wellness Center. About USYSF & USYA
This championship serves as a selection plat-
form for Team USA athletes preparing for the The United States Yogasana Sports Feder-
World Yogasana Championship 2026, to be held ation (USYSF) and United States Yoga Associ-
in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, from June 4–8, ation (USYA), affiliated with World Yogasana,
2026. promote yoga as a competitive sport through na-
The successful debut of this national champi- tional events, athlete development, and interna-
onship highlights a growing movement to advance tional representation.

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