Against the striking backdrop of Mahabalipuram’s ancient shore temples and iconic point break, the ASF Asian Surfing Championships 2025 began today with an exhilarating display of skill, style, and power.
Day 1 of the week-long contest set the tone for what promises to be a festival of world-class surfing, with the Open Men’s Seeding Round offering a glimpse into the form and focus of Asia’s best surfers. Mahabalipuram’s 3–4 ft clean waves held consistently through the day, creating near-ideal conditions for the field to showcase aggressive turns, stylish cutbacks, and critical finishes on the inside sections. For surfers, it wasn’t just about surviving the heats it was about making a statement early in the event.
High Scores and Local Hopes
The day’s highlight came courtesy of Indonesia’s Mega Artana (INA), whose explosive combination of carving turns and controlled aggression earned him a stunning heat score of 16.50, the highest of Round 1. Artana’s performance left his rivals far behind, with Mohammed Ghazi (KSA) finishing at 1.73 and Naif Alkhatrash (KUW) at 1.03, underlining the Indonesian surfer’s dominance and technical mastery on the long right-handers Mahabalipuram offered.
From the Philippines, Neil Sanchez (PHL) also delivered a memorable ride, blending speed, flow, and progressive maneuvers to claim a heat score of 14.00. Sanchez’s ability to link critical sections of the wave set him apart, finishing well ahead of John John Chan (TPE) who posted 9.87, and Mohammad Almarri (UAE) at 3.43. Sanchez’s result confirmed his place in the third round and announced him as a clear contender to watch this week.
Perhaps the most rousing moments of the day, however, belonged to the home surfers. Team India, buoyed by local support and familiarity with the break, produced a string of impressive results to advance directly to Round 3. Kishore Kumar (IND) showed a combination of power and composure, scoring 12.17 to win by a margin of 3.77. Meanwhile, Srikanth D (IND), another Indian surfer in fine form, posted 13.70, winning by 1.44, and Ramesh Budihal (IND) kept the momentum alive with a confident 12.33, finishing 4.93 points ahead of his nearest competitor.
Their performances were not just about securing passage to the next round they reflected the quiet but growing confidence within Indian surfing, which has benefitted in recent years from better coaching, structured competitions, and the natural advantage of a long coastline with diverse breaks.
Intensity and Depth in the Field
A total of 16 heats were run in the Open Men’s Seeding Round. With the top two surfers from each heat moving forward, the competition quickly proved unforgiving, as big names and less-known competitors alike had to fight for every point. Those unable to secure automatic progression will now regroup and hope to advance via the repechage rounds, where the pressure intensifies and the margins become razor-thin.
Beyond the high scores, the day was marked by strategic heat management choosing the best waves in tricky conditions, controlling the priority, and timing big maneuvers. For many, it was the first real test of nerves and tactics in a championship that promises stiffer challenges as the week unfolds.
A Strong Start for Mahabalipuram as Host
The choice of Mahabalipuram, known for its rich cultural heritage and reliable surf, has drawn praise from athletes and officials alike. Its right-hand point break offered long rides today, encouraging surfers to push their creativity and allowing judges to reward complete surfing rather than one-move wonders.
Spectators along the beach, from local fans to international teams, added energy to the competition, applauding high scores and near-misses alike. The venue’s combination of historical significance and surf-friendly geography has already given this edition of the Asian Surfing Championships a unique character.
With the Men’s Seeding Round concluded, attention now shifts to the women and junior surfers. Tomorrow (August 5th, 2025) will see the Women’s Open Round 1, where experienced campaigners and emerging talents will face off, followed by the U-18 Girls Round 1. Forecast models suggest conditions should remain steady, with similar wave heights and clean faces expected to give competitors ample opportunity to showcase style and commitment.
As the competition progresses, the focus will move from seeding rounds to critical elimination heats, where pressure, endurance, and mental strength often matter as much as technique. For Team India, the strong showing on Day 1 is a promising sign. But as every surfer knows, each heat starts at zero, and consistency over multiple days is what separates finalists from early exits.
With standout performances from established names and inspiring displays from local hopefuls, the opening day of the ASF Asian Surfing Championships 2025 has offered exactly what surfing fans hoped for a mix of athleticism, drama, and moments of pure brilliance.
Mahabalipuram has delivered; now the surfers must do the same in the days ahead.
