The Asian Surfing Championships (ASC) 2025, held from August 3 to 12, 2025 in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, marking India’s debut as host. The event served as the final qualification event for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
- The ASC 2025 featured over 150 surfers from 20 countries in 4 categories (Open Men/Women, U-18 Boys/Girls).
- India’s breakthrough moment of first-ever individual medal at the ASC came when Ramesh Budihal clinched bronze in the Open Men’s final.
Exam Hints:
- Event: Asian Surfing Championships 2025
- Venue: Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
- India’s First Medal: Ramesh Budihal – Bronze in Open Men’s Final
- Other Indian Achievements: Kishore Kumar (Semifinalist), D. Srikanth (Quarterfinalist)
- Men’s Team Overall Rank: India ranks 3rd (1785 points) behind Indonesia (1980) & South Korea (1800)
- Women’s Team Overall Rank: 8th (1200 points)
- Asian Games 2026 Quotas: India secured 2 additional quotas.
India’s Historic Performance
Breakthrough: In Open Men’s final, Ramesh Budihal scored 12.60 points to finish third by winning the bronze medal, behind Kanoa Heejae (South Korea, 15.17 points) and Pajar Ariyana (Indonesia, 14.57 points)
- Kishore Kumar also made history by reaching the semifinals. Kishore and Budihal became the first Indians to reach semifinals.
- D. Srikanth also advanced to the quarterfinals in the Open Men’s division
Top 3 in Open-Men Category:
| Surfers | Medal | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Kanoa Heejae – 15.17 Points | Gold | South Korea |
| Pajar Ariyana – 14.57 Points | Silver | Indonesia |
| Ramesh Budihal – 12.60 Points | Bronze | India |
Top 3 – Men’s team overall ranking:
| Country | Points | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | 1980 | 1 |
| South Korea | 1800 | 2 |
| India | 1785 | 3 |
The Indian women’s team scored 1200 points, finishing eighth in standings, topped by Japan (1860 points), Indonesia (1670), and Thailand (1608).
India’s Qualification to Asian Games 2026:
Final Qualification Event: The Asian Surfing Championships 2025 served as the final qualifying event for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with 48 quotas (24 for men and 24 for women) available. Each nation could secure a maximum of two surfers per gender.
Achievement: The 2025 event awarded the final two quotas to India, one for men’s shortboard and one for women’s shortboard, based on accumulated ranking points.
2024 event: India’s first two quotas, one men’s and one women’s, were earned at the Asian Surfing Championships 2024 in the Maldives, where the Indian team also won silver in the Maruhaba Cup team event.
Significance and Impact
National Milestone: India rose from unranked (2020) to quota leader (2026 Asian Games).
Recognition: Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin awarded medals, highlighting state support.
