Manila, August 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Nineteen-year-old Ariha Pangambam scripted history for Indian aerobic gymnastics by winning the country’s first-ever gold medal in the Senior Women’s Individual category at the Asian Aerobic Gymnastics Championships, saying the landmark achievement was especially meaningful after she narrowly missed the podium at the previous edition.
Ariha scored 19.100 points in the final in the Philippines, earning 8.650 for artistry, 7.600 for execution and 2.850 for difficulty.
“At that moment I was totally overwhelmed. This medal means a lot to me because I really wanted to have a medal not just for myself but for our whole country,” Ariha told IANS.
Her journey to the historic gold was fuelled in part by the disappointment of finishing fourth at the previous Asian Championships. She said the narrow miss remained a source of motivation throughout her preparation.
“In the previous Asian Championship, I was in fourth position just by some few points. I regretted a lot. So, I always thought that next time I need to take a medal,” she said.
Rather than focusing solely on winning, Ariha said she wanted her performance to communicate something to the judges and spectators.
“As a performer, I always wanted the people, whether the judges or the audience, to understand what I am trying to tell with my performance. I tried to bring it on the stage, and I would say that’s how I got the medal,” she added.
Her preparation involved around six hours of training every day, divided between morning and evening sessions. Ariha credited her coach and parents for supporting her throughout the journey.
The gold marked a breakthrough after 10 editions of the Asian Championships, with India finally hearing its national anthem played at the continental event in aerobic gymnastics.
Inderjeet Singh Rathour, head of India’s 50-member delegation, described the achievement as a major milestone for the sport.
“It is a very big achievement because this is the 10th Asian Championship. In gymnastics, it had never happened that our national anthem has been played, so we have got the gold,” Rathour told IANS.
He said the success could boost awareness and participation in aerobic gymnastics, which remains relatively less known in India.
Rathour also credited nearly a decade of sustained work behind the achievement, including efforts that continued after the Covid-19 pandemic and Ariha’s progression from the youth to senior level.
India’s campaign at the championships also produced a bronze medal in the Senior Aero Step category, giving the country a gold and a bronze at the continental competition.
For Ariha, the historic gold represents the culmination of intensive preparation, the lessons of a fourth-place finish and her determination to make her performance count for both herself and India.
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