Japan to Make Historic Debut at Asian Yogasana Sports Championship 2025 in New Delhi

New Delhi, India — In a landmark moment for Indo-Japanese cultural and sports diplomacy, Japan will participate for the first time in the 2nd Asian Yogasana Sports Championship 2025, to be held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi, from April 25 to 27. Represented by a four-member delegation, the Japanese team’s participation marks a significant milestone in the country’s growing engagement with Yogasana as a competitive sport.

Organized by World Yogasana, and supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, and the Sports Authority of India, the championship will see participation from over ten nations. Events will span across Traditional Yogasana, Artistic (Single, Pair, Group), Rhythmic, and Specific Pose Categories, showcasing the athleticism and discipline inherent in this ancient Indian practice.

At the forefront of Japan’s delegation is 10-year-old Himali Singh Isoda, a Grade 5 student and youngest athlete in the team. Practicing yoga since early childhood under her father’s guidance, Himali combines daily sessions of Surya Namaskar, pranayama, and mindfulness, symbolizing a new generation of youth-driven wellness culture in Japan. She also enjoys piano, soccer, and reading, reflecting a balanced and holistic lifestyle.

Joining her is Saori Kyuei, a certified yoga instructor and creative designer competing in the Senior B Traditional Yogasana category. Saori combines her teaching experience and artistic background, offering a unique synergy of tradition and innovation in her performances. She is accredited by the Yoga Alliance Japan and Adidas Yoga (Japan) and has completed continuing education programs in India and Ayurveda.

The Japan Yogasana Sports Federation (JYSF), the official body promoting Yogasana as a sport in Japan, has taken on the task of preparing the country’s athletes for global competition. Powered by the Patanjali Japan Foundation, JYSF is affiliated with World Yogasana and is currently undergoing formal registration. Until then, the parent foundation handles all financial and legal matters.

“We believe Yogasana is not just a sport but a way to promote discipline, wellness, and cultural exchange. With Japan’s growing participation, we aim to build a robust ecosystem for Yogasana Sports,” said Ashutosh Singh, President of JYSF and Joint Secretary of World Yogasana.

This historic participation is expected to deepen Japan-India ties, especially in the realm of wellness and youth engagement. India, which has recognized Yogasana as an official sport, is leading a global effort to push for its inclusion in the Olympics — a vision endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As India prepares a bid for the 2036 Olympics, the internationalization of Yogasana plays a pivotal role in that roadmap.

With India’s large youth population and Japan’s wellness-focused society, this cross-cultural sporting event has the potential to inspire a new era of collaboration in health, fitness, and traditional knowledge systems.