Thulusdhoo, Maldives: In a groundbreaking achievement for Indian surfing, the national team has secured its first-ever quotas for the upcoming Asian Games 2026, with one spot each in the men’s and women’s categories. This historic feat was accomplished at the Asian Surfing Championships 2024, where Indian surfers earned their spots based on cumulative ranking points.
Kishore Kumar, a standout performer in the championship, narrowly missed advancing to the finals after a hard-fought semi-final in the Under-18 Boys category. Despite falling short of the final round, his exceptional performance throughout the tournament was enough to secure a quota for India in the Asian Games 2026. Kishore, who had dominated the early rounds by finishing first in Round 1, Round 3, and the Quarterfinals, finished third in Heat 2 of the semi-finals with a score of 8.26. China’s Chengzheng Wang took second place with a score of 10.00, while Japanese surfer Taro Takai secured the top spot with a score of 14.50.
The Asian Surfing Championships 2024, which also serve as a qualifier for the Asian Games, saw eight Indian surfers compete across four categories. Kishore Kumar’s achievement is a significant milestone in Indian surfing, marking the first time the nation has secured a place in the prestigious Asian Games surfing competition.
Harish Muthu, another Indian surfer who made waves in the tournament, also created history by becoming the first Indian to qualify for the Asian Surfing Championships quarterfinals. Although he ultimately fell short in a challenging quarterfinal match, his performance contributed to India’s rising presence in the sport.
Reflecting on this momentous day, Arun Vasu, President of the Surfing Federation of India, expressed his pride and optimism for the future. “It’s truly heartening to witness this historic day when Indian surfing has secured quotas for the upcoming Asian Games. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and determination of our surfers, coaches, and the federation over the years. I am confident that we will also see our surfers competing in the Olympics in the future. While it would have been the icing on the cake if Kishore had made it to the finals today, we are still incredibly proud of him, considering his age, talent, and unwavering determination,” Vasu said.
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