The sun-drenched shores of Mamallapuram turned into a theatre of high skill, courage, and precision as the Asian Surfing Championship 2025, organised by the Asian Surfing Federation, entered its fifth day.
With some of Asia’s finest surfers taking on the challenging local waves, the day delivered both drama and history for Indian surfing four Indian surfers advanced to the quarterfinals, the nation’s best-ever performance in the tournament’s history.
The day’s schedule featured Men’s Open Round 3, Women’s Open Quarterfinals, U-18 Boys Round 3, and U-18 Girls Round 2 (Repechage). Across all categories, the competition was fierce, blending high-stakes performances with bold maneuvers and tactical wave selection.
Men’s Open Round 3: Triple Delight for India
In a display of consistency and control, India’s Ramesh Budihal, Kishore Kumar, and Srikanth D all booked their spots in the quarterfinals, marking an unprecedented achievement for the host nation.
Ramesh Budihal , widely regarded as India’s top surfer, posted 11.00 points to secure second place in Heat 2. Known for his composure and tactical mastery, Ramesh showcased perfectly timed turns and controlled speed to edge out experienced opponents. Indonesia’s Mega Ardhana topped the heat with 12.50 points, but Ramesh’s advancement was never in doubt.
In Heat 7, Kishore Kumar lived up to his reputation for aggressive, high-risk surfing, scoring 10.14 points for second place. His vertical snaps and fearless approach to critical sections drew roars from the crowd and praise from the judges.
Heat 8 saw Srikanth post 8.90 points to take the runner-up spot. Demonstrating adaptability to changing conditions, Sreekanth read the shifting wave patterns well, using his steady technique to outperform seasoned regional competitors. With three Indians now in the Men’s Open quarterfinals, the country’s surfers have made a definitive statement at the continental level.
Women’s Open Quarterfinals: Technical Excellence on Display
The Women’s Open quarterfinals produced some of the day’s most polished performances. Japan’s rising star Sumomo Sato led Heat 1 with 11.00 points, prevailing by a margin of 2.34 points. Her fluid top turns and clean transitions made her virtually untouchable in her heat.
Thailand’s Isabel Hicks followed suit with 10.90 points in Heat 2, winning by 2.4 points. Her blend of speed and style, coupled with precision wave selection, ensured she dictated the pace throughout. China’s Shuhan Jin dominated Heat 3 with 11.97 points, the highest women’s score of the day. Her sharp manoeuvres and ability to link multiple scoring turns proved decisive, as she advanced with a 0.61-point margin.
U-18 Boys Round 3: Harish Keeps India’s Hopes Alive
In the competitive U-18 Boys category, India’s B. Harish stood out by claiming second place in Heat 5 with 9.50 points, securing his spot in the quarterfinals. Harish impressed with mature wave selection and a composed approach under pressure, signaling his potential as a future star for Indian surfing.
However, the round also saw disappointment for Thain Arun and Prahlad Sriram, who were eliminated despite spirited performances. Both surfers showed ambition and resilience, but could not find the high-scoring waves they needed to advance.
U-18 Girls Round 2 (Repechage): Resilience Pays Off
For India’s junior women, the repechage round offered a lifeline and two surfers grabbed it with both hands.
Aadhya Singh rebounded from earlier setbacks with an impressive display of adaptability and determination, riding her way into the third round. Her performance underlined her growing maturity and mental toughness. In Heat 2, Tamayanthi Sriram advanced automatically due to a non-surf from her scheduled competitors, ensuring another Indian presence in the next stage.
Unfortunately, Saanvi Hegde exited the competition after a hard-fought but narrow loss, ending her campaign in Mamallapuram.
Quarterfinals Set the Stage for High Drama
As the Asian Surfing Championship 2025 moves into its decisive stages, anticipation is running high. The quarterfinals promise matchups featuring Asia’s elite surfers alongside a record four Indians still in contention three in the Men’s Open and one in the U-18 Boys.
For the host nation, the performances on Day 5 have fueled genuine belief that medals are within reach. The combination of local knowledge, growing technical ability, and the confidence gained from today’s results could translate into India’s best-ever continental finish. Fans across the country will be following closely as the action heats up, with the waves of Mamallapuram set to test skill, strategy, and stamina like never before.
Live updates, results, and streaming of the Asian Surfing Championship 2025 are available at Asian Surfing Federation’s YouTube channel and across its official social media platforms.
