Manipur gymnast Ariha Pangambam wins India’s first senior women’s individual gold at the 2026 Asian Aerobic Gymnastics Championships in Philippines.
Imphal, August 7: Manipur gymnast Ariha Pangambam has created history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in the Senior Women’s Individual event at the Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships 2026 held in Tagaytay City, Philippines.
Competing in the Senior Women’s Individual final on Thursday, Ariha secured the top position with a score of 19.100 points, marking India’s first-ever senior individual gold medal at the continental championships.
Her winning performance included 8.650 points for artistry, 7.600 for execution and 2.850 for difficulty, helping her finish ahead of competitors from Thailand and Japan.
Thailand’s Kanokpit Mali finished second, while Japan’s Mahiro Kishibe secured the third position.
The championships were held from August 4 to 7 under the sanction of the Asian Gymnastics Union, with participation from more than 400 athletes and officials representing 11 countries.
?? ?Ariha Pangambam brings home India's FIRST EVER Senior Individual Women's Gold in Asian Aerobic Gymnastics C'ships.
— SPORTS ARENA???? (@SportsArena1234) August 7, 2026
?Those aren't just tears of victory - they are years of relentless hard work finally coming to fruition.
You've made a whole nation emotional today, Ariha.… pic.twitter.com/fIjsuKAhUG
Reacting to the achievement, Gymnastics Federation of India president Sudhir Mital praised Ariha’s performance.
“A great achievement for us. Did very well. Kudos to her and her coach,” Mital told PTI.
A native of Imphal, Manipur, 22-year-old Ariha trained under coach Yumnam Ranjan Singh and has steadily risen through international competitions. Her latest achievement comes after years of participation at national and international levels.
Ariha has represented India at several major events, including the FIG Aerobic Gymnastics World Championships and the Suzuki World Cup in Japan. She also won gold medals at the National Games in 2023 and 2025 and secured a bronze medal at the Asian Cup.
She had previously finished fourth at the Asian Championships in 2022 and 2024, before claiming the continental title in 2026.
Currently, Ariha is pursuing sports leadership studies at AISTS India, while continuing her international sporting career.
The achievement drew congratulations from leaders in Manipur and across the country.
Heartiest congratulations to Ariha Pangambam on creating history as the first Indian to win an Individual Gold Medal at the 2026 Senior Women’s Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships in Tagaytay City, Philippines.
— Khemchand Yumnam (@YKhemchandSingh) August 7, 2026
A proud moment for Manipur and the nation. Wishing her continued… pic.twitter.com/4Oh7NV9Rxy
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh congratulated Ariha through a post on X, describing her achievement as a proud moment for Manipur and the nation.
“Heartiest congratulations to Ariha Pangambam on creating history as the first Indian to win an Individual Gold Medal at the 2026 Senior Women’s Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships in Tagaytay City, Philippines,” the Chief Minister posted.
I heartily congratulate our talented daughter Ariha Pangambam for creating history by becoming the first Indian to win the senior individual women’s gold medal at the Asian Aerobic Gymnastics Championships with an outstanding score of 19.100.
— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) August 7, 2026
This is indeed a proud moment for… pic.twitter.com/47JQScXAXB
Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh also congratulated Ariha, highlighting her score of 19.100 and describing the victory as a proud moment for Indian gymnastics and Manipur.
“Your grit, perseverance and excellence have inspired millions,” Biren Singh posted on X.
A historic milestone for Indian gymnastics! ????
— LOK BHAVAN MANIPUR (@LokBhavManipur) August 7, 2026
Heartiest congratulations to Ariha Pangambam on becoming the first Indian to win gold in the senior women's individual event at the 2026 Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships. Scoring an outstanding 19.100 in the final with… pic.twitter.com/EZKE1qMcbV
Lok Bhavan Manipur also hailed the achievement as a historic milestone for Indian gymnastics and congratulated Ariha and her coach for their contribution to the landmark victory.
Ariha’s gold medal has added another significant achievement to Manipur’s growing contribution to Indian sports and placed her among the leading figures in Indian gymnastics.
