Discover the winners of the 2025 World Massage Championship Awards

Following a thorough review of the voting results and the assessments made by our panel of expert judges, we are proud to present the official list of winners of the 2025 World Massage Championships.
The title holders will retain their distinction until 2029.

We invite professionals and institutions to suggest new categories and nominate candidates for the next edition, which our committee will carefully evaluate.
The submission period will close in January 2029, and the winners will be announced in September 2029.

Winner in the Swedish Massage Category:

• Erik Johansson (Sweden).
• Justification for conferring the award: Following a thorough review of the voting results and the evaluations carried out by our panel of expert judges, we have determined that Erik Johansson (Sweden) meets all the requirements to be recognized as the World Massage Champion from 2025 to 2029 in the Swedish Massage category.
• The expert committee based its decision on the public votes, which reflected a high level of knowledge in Swedish massage, as well as on Erik Johansson’s professional achievements, his extensive educational work, and his valuable contributions to the ongoing advancement of Swedish massage.

Winner in the Deep Tissue Massage Category:

• Alexandra Rossi (Canada).
• Justification for conferring the award: Following a thorough review of the voting results and the evaluations carried out by our panel of expert judges, we have determined that Alexandra Rossi (Canada) meets all the requirements to be recognized as the World Massage Champion from 2025 to 2029 in the Deep Tissue Massage category.
• The expert committee based its decision on the public votes, which reflected a solid understanding of Deep Tissue Massage, as well as on Alexandra Rossi’s outstanding professional merits, her extensive career of over 30 years, her educational work and published writings, and her valuable contributions to the continuous improvement of Deep Tissue Massage.
• Additionally, the committee highlights her remarkable dedication as a therapist working with underprivileged communities.

Winner in the Sports Massage Category:

• Michael A Yessis (Russia)
• Justification for conferring the award: Following a thorough review of the voting results and the evaluations carried out by our panel of expert judges, we have determined that Michael A. Yessis (Russia) meets all the requirements to be recognized as the World Massage Champion from 2025 to 2029 in the Sports Massage category.
• The expert committee based its decision on the public votes, which demonstrated a solid understanding of Sports Massage, as well as on Michael A. Yessis’s professional achievements, his extensive work with prestigious sports clubs, his published writings, and his valuable contributions to promoting sports and healthy habits among both professional and amateur athletes.

Winner in the Thai Massage Category:

• Nicha Phanich (Thailand)
• Justification for conferring the award: Following a thorough review of the voting results and the evaluations carried out by our panel of expert judges, we have determined that Nicha Phanich (Thailand) meets all the requirements to be recognized as the World Massage Champion from 2025 to 2029 in the Thai Massage category.
• The expert committee based its decision on the public votes, which demonstrated a deep understanding of Thai Massage, as well as on Nicha Phanich’s outstanding professional merits, her extensive work in Thailand to promote this ancestral technique, her dedication to instilling respect for tradition among her students, and her remarkable career spanning over 50 years in the profession.

Winner in the Shiatsu Massage Category:

• Yuki Nakamura (Japan)
• Justification for conferring the award: Following a thorough review of the voting results and the evaluations carried out by our panel of expert judges, we have determined that Yuki Nakamura (Japan) meets all the requirements to be recognized as the World Massage Champion from 2025 to 2029 in the Shiatsu Massage category.
• The expert committee based its decision on the public votes, which demonstrated solid knowledge of Shiatsu Massage, as well as on Yuki Nakamura’s professional achievements.
• For over 30 years, Yuki has proven to be an expert in Shiatsu Massage, skillfully integrating the different contemporary approaches to this discipline. His school is today a worldwide reference, and his students highlight his profound passion for Shiatsu.

Winner in the Tui Na Massage Category:

• Li Wei (China)
• Justification for conferring the award: Following a thorough review of the voting results and the evaluations carried out by our panel of expert judges, we have determined that Li Wei (China) meets all the requirements to be recognized as the World Massage Champion from 2025 to 2029 in the Tui Na Massage category.
• The expert committee based its decision on the public votes, which demonstrated solid knowledge of Tui Na Massage, as well as on Li Wei’s remarkable professional achievements.
• Li Wei has taken Tui Na Massage beyond China’s borders, training numerous international students. His extensive professional work in Chinese hospitals and his commitment to teaching hundreds of foreign visitors reflect his dedication to the global promotion of this traditional practice.

Winner in the Lomi Lomi Hawaian Massage Category:

• Kalea Kealoha (Hawaii, USA)
• Justification for conferring the award: Following a thorough review of the voting results and the evaluations carried out by our panel of expert judges, we have determined that Kalea Kealoha (Hawaii, USA) meets all the requirements to be recognized as the World Massage Champion from 2025 to 2029 in the Lomi Lomi Hawaiian Massage category.
• The expert committee based its decision on the public votes, which demonstrated solid knowledge of Lomi Lomi Hawaiian Massage, as well as on Kalea Kealoha’s professional achievements.
• For over 40 years, Kalea has proven to be an expert in Lomi Lomi, passionately teaching hundreds of international students who come to train with her in Hawaii.

Winner in the Ayurvedic Massage Category:

• Vikram Singh (India)
• Justification for conferring the award: Following a thorough review of the voting results and the evaluations carried out by our panel of expert judges, we have determined that Vikram Singh (India) meets all the requirements to be recognized as the World Massage Champion from 2025 to 2029 in the Ayurvedic Massage category.
• The expert committee based its decision on the public votes, which demonstrated solid knowledge of Ayurvedic Massage, as well as on Vikram Singh’s professional achievements.
• Vikram has proven his ability to teach this discipline while respecting the traditions and cultural principles of his prolific traditional medicine. His dedication to working with the most disadvantaged further justifies this prestigious award.

Winner in the Chiromassage Category:

• Jose Antonio Sánchez (Spain)
• Justification for conferring the award: Following a thorough review of the voting results and the evaluations carried out by our panel of expert judges, we have determined that Jose Antonio Sanchez (Spain) meets all the requirements to be recognized as the World Massage Champion from 2025 to 2029 in the Chiromassage category.
• The expert committee based its decision on the public votes, which demonstrated solid knowledge of Chiromassage, as well as on Jose Antonio Sanchez’s professional achievements.
• Jose Antonio Sanchez has successfully preserved the tradition of this technique and promoted it across Africa, America, and Europe. His prolific work as a writer and instructor has honored this emerging discipline, and he embodies the solidarity values of its creator, Dr. Ferrandiz.

Winner in the Russian Massage Category:

• Elena Smirnova (Russia)
• Justification for conferring the award: Following a thorough review of the voting results and the evaluations carried out by our panel of expert judges, we have determined that Elena Smirnova (Russia) meets all the requirements to be recognized as the World Massage Champion from 2025 to 2029 in the Russian Massage category.
• The expert committee based its decision on the public votes, which demonstrated solid knowledge of Russian Massage, as well as on Elena Smirnova’s professional achievements.
• Elena has proven herself, over a career spanning more than 30 years, to be a leading professional in Russian Massage. She has innovated in teaching methodology and dedicated much of her life to training students from around the world, across Europe, Asia, and beyond.

Winner in the Chair Massage Category:

• Claire Dubois (France)
• Justification for conferring the award: Following a thorough review of the voting results and the evaluations carried out by our panel of expert judges, we have determined that Claire Dubois (France) meets all the requirements to be recognized as the World Massage Champion from 2025 to 2029 in the Chair Massage category.
• The expert committee based its decision on the public votes, which demonstrated solid knowledge of Chair Massage, as well as on Claire Dubois’s professional achievements.
• Throughout her career spanning over 40 years, Claire has proven herself to be a leading professional in Chair Massage, highly respected by her students. Even in retirement, she continues to give lectures and share her expertise.

Winner in the Manual Lymphatic Drainage Category:

• Marina Baratashvili (Georgia)
• Justification for conferring the award: Following a thorough review of the voting results and the evaluations carried out by our panel of expert judges, we have determined that Marina Baratashvili (Georgia) meets all the requirements to be recognized as the World Massage Champion from 2025 to 2029 in the Manual Lymphatic Drainage category.
• The expert committee based its decision on the public votes, which demonstrated solid knowledge of Manual Lymphatic Drainage, as well as on Marina Baratashvili’s professional achievements.
• Marina has contributed to the professionalization of lymphatic drainage for oncology patients and has trained hundreds of students from around the world. Many of her guidelines are referenced in manuals for doctors, physiotherapists, nurses, and massage therapists.

Winner in the Fascia Stretch Therapy Category:

• Tom Müller (Germany)
• Justification for conferring the award: Following a thorough review of the voting results and the evaluations carried out by our panel of expert judges, we have determined that Tom Müller (Germany) meets all the requirements to be recognized as the World Massage Champion from 2025 to 2029 in the Fascia Stretch Therapy category.
• The expert committee based its decision on the public votes, which demonstrated solid knowledge of Fascia Stretch Therapy, as well as on Tom Müller’s professional achievements.
• Tom has had a career spanning more than 40 years, during which he has trained hundreds of students and participated as a distinguished speaker in international conferences.

Winner in the Balinese Massage Category:

• Kadek Sari (Indonesia)
• Justification for conferring the award: Following a thorough review of the voting results and the evaluations carried out by our panel of expert judges, we have determined that Kadek Sari (Indonesia) meets all the requirements to be recognized as the World Massage Champion from 2025 to 2029 in the Balinese Massage category.
• The expert committee based its decision on the public votes, which demonstrated solid knowledge of Balinese Massage, as well as on Kadek Sari’s professional achievements.
• For over 30 years, Kadek has trained highly respected professionals in the art of Balinese Massage, preserving its cultural essence and traditional techniques.

Final Summary and Acknowledgements

The World Massage Championship Awards 2025 proudly congratulates all the winners in each category:

• Erik Johansson (Sweden) – Swedish Massage
• Alexandra Rossi (Canada) – Deep Tissue Massage
• Michael A. Yessis (Russia) – Sports Massage
• Nicha Phanich (Thailand) – Thai Massage
• Li Wei (China) – Tui Na Massage
• Yuki Nakamura (Japan) – Shiatsu Massage
• Kalea Kealoha (Hawaii, USA) – Lomi Lomi Hawaiian Massage
• Vikram Singh (India) – Ayurvedic Massage
• Jose Antonio Sanchez (Spain) – Chiromassage
• Elena Smirnova (Russia) – Russian Massage
• Claire Dubois (France) – Chair Massage
• Marina Baratashvili (Georgia) – Manual Lymphatic Drainage
• Tom Müller (Germany) – Fascia Stretch Therapy
• Kadek Sari (Indonesia) – Balinese Massage

We extend our deepest gratitude to the expert committee for their dedication, and to all the voters in each category for their participation and commitment to professionalism in massage therapy.

A total of 3,697 valid votes were recorded across all categories, with 273 votes declared invalid due to missing or incorrect documentation verifying prior training in the respective discipline.

We also wish to express our appreciation to all participants and candidates who were not awarded this year. We encourage you to Heartfelt congratulations to all the winners!continue striving for excellence and to take part in the next edition in 2029, where new categories and nominees may be proposed for evaluation by our committee.

Heartfelt congratulations to all the winners!