Gaya: For Ansh Rupye Mayeka from Maharashtra, who won his third career gold medal in Yogasana, the ongoing Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in Bihar has proven to be a tournament of redemption. At just 12 years old, Ansh won his first gold medal in the Khelo India Youth Games held in Panchkula, Haryana. He followed it up with a second consecutive gold at the Games hosted in Madhya Pradesh. However, he couldn’t qualify for the last edition held in Tamil Nadu. Undeterred, Ansh took it as a challenge and made a remarkable comeback by clinching the championship title for the third time.
Although Ansh was disappointed after failing to qualify for the Tamil Nadu edition of KIYG, he quickly bounced back and set a clear goal for himself—to qualify for the Bihar edition and win gold again. He succeeded in doing just that, claiming gold in Gaya on Sunday and proving his mettle once again.
Following his impressive victory, Ansh told SAI Media, “After winning back-to-back gold medals in Haryana and Madhya Pradesh, I couldn’t qualify for Tamil Nadu. That pushed me to prove myself again. With the help of my coach, I worked very hard, and I’m happy that I’ve managed to win gold once more.”
It is noteworthy that Ansh, who began practising Yogasana at just four years old, along with Rohan Tayade, claimed the gold medal in the boys’ category with a top score of 129.50.
He said, “I started practising when I was just four. This is my third Khelo India Games, and I’ve managed to win gold in all three.”
In the Yogasana events being held at the IIM campus in Gaya, Maharashtra’s boys secured both gold and silver medals in the Rhythmic Yogasana category. Similarly, the girls also dominated the Rhythmic Yogasana segment by winning gold and silver.
Meanwhile, Ansh’s teammate Rohan Tayade is participating in his second Khelo India Games. He had previously won gold in the individual Artistic Yogasana category during the sixth edition held in Tamil Nadu. Rohan trains in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, and has been practising Yogasana since the age of four. He attributes his success entirely to his father.
Twelve-year-old Rohan said, “I started Yogasana when I was four. My father is my inspiration. It was because of his encouragement that I chose this sport. When I started, he was the one who taught me. Whatever I am today is because of my father.”
Maharashtra’s medal streak continues in the first-ever Khelo India Youth Games hosted by Bihar. The defending champions from Maharashtra claimed four medals on the opening day of Yogasana competitions, including two golds, maintaining their dominance in this traditional discipline.
