Indian athlete Vir Gahrotra has won a gold medal at the Pole and Aerial Sports World Championship, marking India’s first-ever podium finish at this international event held in Budapest, Hungary.
Vir, a 16-year-old from Mumbai, represented India in the Junior B Amateur Men (15–17 years) aerial silk category. He faced tough competition from countries known for their strong aerial sports traditions, including Ukraine, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. Gahrotra delivered a technically demanding and winning performance.
Aerial silk is a performance-oriented form of aerial gymnastics that requires significant upper-body strength, endurance, flexibility, and artistic expression. At the championship level, routines are judged based on technical precision, execution, and artistry, in addition to difficulty. Gahrotra’s gold-winning routine stood out for its control, consistency, and calmness, even in the face of fatigue, earning him the highest scores from the judges.
India achieved a historic milestone by participating in the inaugural POSA World Aerial Championships 2025, organised by the Pole Sports & Arts World Federation (POSA). This prestigious international event in Budapest gathered top aerial and pole athletes from more than 40 countries.
Vir’s victory is a landmark achievement for Indian aerial sports, as he clinched the country’s first gold medal in the Junior B Men – Amateur Aerial Silks category. This success is a proud and significant moment for India’s debut on the global stage.
The four-day championship featured world-class rigging, overseen by certified international judges. It encompassed top disciplines such as Aerial Silks, Aerial Hoop, Aerial Artistic, and Pole Sport. While the aerial competitions have concluded, the Pole Sport contests are ongoing, showcasing thrilling performances from athletes around the world.
The Indian team was led by head coach Ria Bajaj and coach Masuma Mun, with support from Indian Federation Committee members Shrikant Warankar, Suresh Gandhi, and Pankaj Kunde.
“This debut marks a powerful beginning for India at POSA. Our students have trained tirelessly, and witnessing them perform with confidence and excellence on a global stage is deeply inspiring,” Coach Ria expressed.