Thailand takes crown at World Championship in Massage

Thailand has won at this year’s World Championship in Massage, which took place in Copenhagen, Denmark from June 27-29. The overall individual winner was Canadian massage expert Len-Jin Liang.

The competition, now in its eighth year, is organised by the International Massage Association (IMA).

The 2025 event broke previous participation records, with 267 competitors taking part from 58 countries.

Judges from 27 countries evaluated massage therapists’ skills in five key areas – technique, ergonomics and body mechanics, flow, innovation, client contact and empathy.

Overall individual winners

Therapists compete in numerous massage categories including Swedish, wellness, sports, Thai, facial and chair massage.

The top performing nations for 2025 were Thailand, Lithuania, China, Argentina and France.

The overall individual winners were:

• Gold – Len-Jin Liang from Canada
• Silver – Anne Brienberg from Denmark
• Bronze – Erica Argano from Italy

The full list of the winners can be viewed here.

This year was a hybrid event. The physical massage competition in Denmark was accentuated by participants from further afield competing using Zoom, with judges watching live.

Jean-Guy de Gabriac, founder of World Wellness Weekend was also inducted into the championship’s hall of fame.

While the World Championship in Massage is primarily a competition, it also serves as an opportunity for massage therapists to find professional inspiration while networking.

By participating in the event, massage therapists get the opportunity to strengthen and improve their skills.

The 9th World Championship in Massage will take place in Copenhagen from July 3-5, 2026.

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