Ahmedabad, October 13 (Daily Kiran) : India’s impressive yoga performance left a lasting impression on delegations from China and South Africa during the inaugural BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Demonstration Games held on October 13, 2026, at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad. The event featured around 160 participants from nearly 10 countries.
The one-day event celebrated traditional and indigenous sports disciplines, showcasing a variety of performances from countries including China’s Wushu, India’s Mallakhamb, Kazakhstan’s Togizkumalak, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Brazil.
India’s presentation featured not only Mallakhamb and Kalaripayattu but also highlighted the growing international interest in yoga. Representatives from China and South Africa praised the discipline, emphasizing its benefits.
Philasande Macwili, South Africa’s Chef de Mission, shared, “Yoga is one of the activities in South Africa that people use to detox, reduce stress, and improve flexibility. We really enjoy it.” He added that those who practice yoga in South Africa often do so daily.
The atmosphere at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex was electric, with a crowd of 3,000 cheering as India’s youth team showcased a high-intensity Mallakhamb performance, followed by a well-choreographed rhythmic yoga display.
Earlier this year, India demonstrated its dominance in yoga at the World Championship held in Ahmedabad, where it secured 114 medals, including 102 golds. Athletes from 31 countries won at least one medal, while 10 countries claimed gold. The championship featured 522 athletes from 79 nations, with strong representation from the African continent.
Chinese Chef de Mission Yi Liu expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Today, we learned a lot about yoga. During practice, we saw young children performing amazing movements. We want to learn more about it.”
The event also provided athletes from different countries the opportunity to share knowledge and learn about each other’s traditional sports. For instance, a Chinese Wushu athlete was seen teaching the nuances of the sport to athletes at the National Center of Excellence in Narayanpura.
Beyond the sports performances, participating delegations praised India’s hospitality and the arrangements made for the event. Liu noted that the Chinese delegation was impressed by their warm welcome upon arrival in India. “All my fellow members said they have never experienced such a warm reception before,” he said. “Even at the airport, a dance group welcomed us at midnight, which was wonderful. The meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, were excellent, featuring both local and international flavors. We enjoyed trying dosa, which was very interesting. Everyone had a great time in India. This trip will be memorable for all of us.”
Russia also commended the spirit of friendship among the participating countries at the event. Zlata Yakovleva, head of the Russian delegation, expressed gratitude for being invited to such a remarkable event. “It was incredible. India’s hospitality is outstanding. We truly enjoyed the hotel, the venues, and everything about the event. My favorite aspect was the friendship among BRICS nations. We love participating in events like this together.”
India had the largest contingent with 50 participants, followed by China with 30, Iran with 22, and South Africa with 14 participants. The event featured a diverse range of performances, including Belarus’s Gorodki, Bolivia’s Lucha de Cholitias and Tinku, Brazil’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Capoeira, China’s Lion Dance, Wushu, and Health Qigong, Iran’s Zurkhaneh, Haft Sang, and Ghani, Kazakhstan’s Asyk Atu, Togizkumalak, and Kazakh Kuresi, Russia’s Sambo and Gorodki, South Africa’s Kagati and Intonga, and the UAE’s Altabbah.
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