India surfing team clinch silver at Asian Championships 2024 in Maldives

India’s surfing team made waves on the international stage by clinching a silver medal at the Maruhaba Cup, a thrilling team event at the Asian Surfing Championships 2024, held amidst the turquoise waters and sun-kissed beaches of Thulusdhoo, Maldives, on Sunday.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in the nation’s surfing journey, reflecting both grit and promise.

In the final, the Indian surfers faced off against the seasoned Japanese team, who were in a league of their own, riding the ocean’s powerful swells with a finesse that earned them a gold medal, scoring a commanding 58.40 points.

India, however, proved their mettle, securing the silver with a score of 24.13, narrowly edging out Chinese Taipei, who finished a close third with 23.93 points. China completed the lineup, finishing fourth with a score of 22.10.

The road to the final saw India’s quartet—Kamali P, Ajeesh Ali, Srikanth D, and Sanjay Selvamani—dominate the Heat 2 semi-final. With the waves crashing against their boards and the crowd’s cheers echoing in the salty air, they scored an impressive 32.16, outpacing Chinese Taipei (29.70) and the Republic of Korea (27.74). Their victory in the semi-finals set the stage for their remarkable silver medal performance.

Adding another feather to India’s surfing cap, the team’s success at the Maruhaba Cup followed closely on the heels of their historic qualification for the Asian Games—a first for Indian surfing. The men’s and women’s teams are now set to represent India at the Asian Games 2026, to be hosted in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, a feat that has energized the sport’s community back home.

Harish Muthu, a standout performer in the championships, made headlines by becoming the first Indian surfer to advance to the quarter-finals. Battling it out in intense surf conditions, he displayed a mix of skill and tenacity, making it a landmark moment in his career, despite falling short in a hard-fought contest.

India’s silver medal at the Maruhaba Cup, coupled with their Asian Games qualification, signals the rise of a new force in international surfing. As the team rides this wave of success, the future of Indian surfing gleams with the promise of more victories on the horizon. (UNI)