Ariha Pangambam scripted history as she became the first Indian gymnast to clinch a gold medal in the senior women’s individual event at the Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships, held in Tagaytay City, Philippines, from August 4 to 7. The Manipuri gymnast accumulated 19.100 points to top the podium in the Senior Women’s Individual final.
Ariha earned 8.650 for artistry, 7.600 for execution and 2.850 for difficulty to finish ahead of her competitors and secure the top position.
This marked India’s first-ever senior gold medal at the continental championships and added a significant milestone to Ariha’s growing list of achievements in aerobic gymnastics.
“A great achievement for us. Did very well. Kudos to her and her coach,” Gymnastic Federation of India president Sudhir Mital said to PTI.
Ariha defeated her closest rivals, Kanokpit Mali of Thailand and Mahiro Kishibe of Japan, who won the silver and bronze medals respectively. Her performance in the final helped her move from fourth place finishes at the previous two editions to the top step of the podium in 2026.
The continental tournament, sanctioned by the Asian Gymnastics Union, drew 400 players from 11 countries. The event brought together athletes from across the continent, with Ariha emerging as the standout performer in the Senior Women’s Individual event.
Ariha grew up in Imphal, the state capital, and trained under coach Yumnam Ranjan Singh. Her journey in the sport has seen her compete at several international events while continuing to make a mark at the national level.
At the international level, Ariha has represented India in multiple International Championships, with her notable wins being bronze at the Asian Cup and gold in the National Games in 2023 and 2025.
She also contested at international platforms like the FIG Aerobic Gymnastics World Championships and the Suzuki World Cup in Japan, gaining valuable experience against competitors on the international circuit.
Ariha finished fourth at the Asian Championships in both 2022 and 2024, sealing this 2026 victory as a testament to her hard work. After finishing just outside the podium in the previous two editions, she converted her opportunity in Tagaytay City to claim the senior women’s individual title.
The gold medal also underlines the progress Ariha has made over the years as she continues to compete at the highest level of aerobic gymnastics. She is currently pursuing sports leadership studies at AISTS India, balancing her academic pursuits with her career as an international gymnast.