India Shines at Asian Surfing Championships 2024: A Milestone for Indian Surfing

In a significant achievement for Indian surfing, the national team secured a silver medal at the prestigious Maruhaba Cup, a team event at the Asian Surfing Championships 2024. The competition, held in Thulusdhoo, Maldives, concluded on Sunday, marking a new chapter in India’s surfing history.

Team Composition and Performance

The Indian team, comprising Kamali P, Ajeesh Ali, Srikanth D, and Sanjay Selvamani, demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork throughout the event. Their journey to the podium was marked by consistent performances, showcasing the growing prowess of Indian surfers on the international stage.

Final Standings

The final results of the Maruhaba Cup were as follows:

Japan: Gold Medal (Score: 58.40)
India: Silver Medal (Score: 24.13)
Taipei: Bronze Medal (Score: 23.93)
China: Fourth Place (Score: 22.10)

While Japan’s dominant performance secured them the gold, India’s silver medal finish represents a landmark achievement for the country in this sport.

Road to the Final

Semi-Final Success

The Indian team’s path to the final was paved with an impressive showing in the semi-finals. In Heat 2 of the semi-final round, India emerged victorious with a total score of 32.16. This performance placed them ahead of strong competitors:

Taipei: Second Place (Score: 29.70)
Republic of Korea: Third Place (Score: 27.74)

India’s semi-final win demonstrated their ability to compete at the highest levels of Asian surfing, setting the stage for their podium finish in the final.

Broader Implications for Indian Surfing

Asian Games Quota Secured

The silver medal at the Maruhaba Cup comes on the heels of another significant milestone. Just a day before this achievement, India secured its first-ever quota in surfing for the Asian Games. This qualification marks a pivotal moment in the development of surfing in India.

Looking Ahead: Asian Games 2026

Both the Indian men’s and women’s surfing teams are now set to compete in the Asian Games 2026, scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. This qualification provides Indian surfers with a platform to showcase their skills on one of Asia’s biggest sporting stages.

Individual Achievements

Harish Muthu’s Historic Run

Alongside the team’s success, Harish Muthu made history by becoming the first Indian surfer to reach the quarter-finals of the Asian Surfing Championships. Although Muthu’s impressive run ended in a closely contested quarter-final round, his achievement has set a new benchmark for Indian surfers and inspired the surfing community in India.