"This medal belongs to India," says Saniya Joshi after winning silver
Saniya Joshi makes history by winning India's first-ever silver medal in the Retail Sales category at the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 competition.
In a historic moment for the nation's vocational talent, Saniya Joshi has secured a silver medal in the Retail Sales category at the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. This achievement marks a significant milestone as it is India's debut and first-ever medal in this specific skill area.
Speaking about her triumph, Joshi expressed immense pride in representing her country on the global stage. "I am super happy. I am so glad that I made it. I am extremely grateful to everyone who supported me throughout my journey. This medal does not belong to me alone; it belongs to India as well," she told ANI. She noted that the Retail Sales category was a new frontier for the Indian contingent.
India Climbs Global Rankings at WorldSkills
The 48th edition of the WorldSkills Competition, often referred to as the “Olympic Games of vocational skills,” saw India deliver one of its most robust performances to date. Held at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai, China, from September 22 to 27, the event featured more than 1,400 competitors from approximately 70 countries.
India's performance saw a notable leap in the global standings:
- Global Rank: India secured 10th place worldwide.
- Medal Count: The country earned six silver medals and 20 Medals for Excellence.
- Progress: This marks a significant improvement from India's 13th-place finish at the 2024 edition.
The 70-member Indian contingent was organized by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), showcasing expertise across various disciplines including Industry 4.0, Web Technologies, and Fashion Technology.
A Sweep of Silver: Other Indian Champions
Saniya Joshi was not the only Indian athlete to grace the podium. The competition saw a wide range of talents excelling in diverse fields:
Culinary and Design Excellence
In the Bakery category, Smriti Nambiar earned a silver medal and was honored with the prestigious “Best of the Nation” award for achieving the highest score among all Indian participants. "It feels great... I am very grateful to everyone: my mentor, my family, my parents, all the chefs I've worked with," Nambiar shared.
In the realm of digital creativity, Kovid Ajay Gangrade secured a silver medal in Digital Interactive Media Design. Reflecting on the intense preparation, Gangrade remarked that the victory made all the hard work feel worthwhile.
Specialized Skills on Display
The silver medal tally was further bolstered by:
- Mohammed Salam: Won silver in Dental Prosthetics, noting the incredibly tight margins in a fierce competition.
- Mehrunissa Begum: Secured silver in Logistics and Freight Forwarding, a journey that took her from an internship to the global podium.
The Retail Sales category, where Joshi excelled, is one of the 11 new and emerging skill categories. It tests a participant's ability to manage customer-centric services and facilitate shopping experiences across physical, online, and digital retail environments.