India Scripts History with First-Ever Team Bronze at Asian Junior Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Championships
Zunyi (China), 19th June 2026: In a landmark achievement for Indian gymnastics, the Indian Junior Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Team secured a historic bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Championships in Zunyi, China, marking the country’s first-ever podium finish in the team event.
Competing against some of the strongest gymnastics nations in the world, the Indian team finished third behind powerhouses China and Japan, underlining the rapid progress of the sport in the country.
The medal-winning Indian contingent comprised Nishad Naravane of Infinity Gymnastics, Pune, Harschit Damodharan, SK Nabigh Ali, Akshat Bajaj and Mohd Zaid Ansari.
The achievement is being hailed as a watershed moment for Indian gymnastics and reflects the dedication, discipline and perseverance of the athletes, coaches and support staff.
Pune-based gymnast Nishad Naravane’s contribution has drawn special praise, with the young athlete bringing pride not only to his training academy, Infinity Gymnastics, but also to the city and the nation.
Meanwhile, Head Coach Ajit, who was scheduled to accompany the team to China, was unable to travel due to delays in visa processing. Despite the setback, he continued to support the squad remotely while intensifying training sessions in India to prepare the next batch of elite gymnasts for upcoming international competitions.
Officials associated with the programme said the historic bronze medal has set a new benchmark for Indian gymnastics and strengthened hopes for greater success on the international stage in the years ahead.
With this milestone achievement, Indian gymnastics has signalled its growing presence in Asia, raising expectations for future podium finishes at major global events.
