India’s top surfers gear up for intense showdown at Indian Open of Surfing 2026

Mangalore- Indian surfing is set to return to the spotlight as the seventh edition of the Indian Open of Surfing 2026 will be held from May 29 to 31 at the Blue Bay Tannirbhavi Eco Beach in Mangalore, Karnataka.

The tournament comes at a crucial time for Indian surfing, with the sport preparing for its historic debut at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games later this year. The event is expected to play a key role in the national selection process, as several top surfers aim to strengthen their rankings and secure a place in Team India for the continental competition.

India has earned two quota spots each in the Men’s Open Shortboard and Women’s Open Shortboard categories for the Asian Games, making the domestic surfing season highly competitive. As one of the final major events before the Asian Games, the Indian Open is likely to have a significant impact on the final team selection discussions.

Much of the attention in Mangalore will be on some of India’s leading surfing talents, who are currently among the strongest contenders for Asian Games selection.

Ramesh Budihal enters the competition following a breakthrough phase in his career. He made history at the Asian Surfing Championships 2025 in Mahabalipuram by becoming the first Indian surfer to reach the Open Men’s final, eventually winning a historic bronze medal for the country.

Sivaraj Babu heads into the tournament with strong momentum after winning the Men’s Open title at the inaugural Little Andaman Pro 2026. With only two spots available in the Men’s Open Shortboard category for the Asian Games, his performance in Mangalore could prove crucial.

Young surfer Kishore Kumar is also expected to be one of the standout names. Known as one of the brightest emerging talents in Indian surfing, he has impressed consistently on the domestic circuit. Kishore also created history in 2024 by becoming the first Indian surfer to reach the semifinals of the Under-18 category at the Asian Surfing Championships in the Maldives.

Srikanth D has earned recognition for his technical skills, composure, and disciplined performances in high-pressure situations. Over the past few seasons, he has built a reputation as one of the most consistent surfers on the national circuit.

The women’s category is also expected to attract major attention, led by Kamali P, one of the most prominent names in Indian surfing. Emerging from the surfing hub of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, Kamali has consistently performed at the highest level in domestic competitions while also representing India internationally.

Representing Goa, Sugar Shanti Banarse has steadily emerged as one of the top competitors in Indian women’s surfing through a series of strong performances at national championships. Her presence is expected to add further intensity to an already highly competitive women’s field.

With inputs from IANS