Tamil Nadu Dominates Covelong Classic 2024 as Top Surfers Eye Semi-Finals

On the second day of the Covelong Classic 2024, Tamil Nadu surfers continued to excel, with standout performances by Harish M and Sivaraj Babu. The event saw them leading into the semi-finals in the Men's Open category. The championship is supported by the Tamil Nadu Government and the Ministry of Youth Welfare and Sports Development.

Tamil Nadu surfers maintained their supremacy on the second day of the Covelong Classic 2024, the concluding leg of the national surfing championship guided by the Surfing Federation of India. The three-day event's second round showcased top surfers from across the nation competing for spots in the semi-finals slated for August 10, 2024. Tamil Nadu's Harish M impressed the judges with his skilled manoeuvres and acrobatic finesse on the waves, earning the day's highest score of 12.20 points early in the morning.

The Men's Open Category's quarter-finals saw 16 surfers advance to the semi-finals, with Tamil Nadu's Sivaraj Babu leading with 11.66 points. Defending National Champion and Covelong Classic 2023 winner Srikanth D closely followed with 11.50 points, while Karnataka's Ramesh Budhial remained the sole hope for his state with a score of 8.40. The Covelong Classic 2024, organized by the Tamil Nadu Surfing Association under the Surfing Federation of India and hosted by Surf Turf, has secured backing from the Tamil Nadu Government and the Ministry of Youth Welfare and Sports Development.

The day's actions commenced early with a fierce battle for quarter-final slots in the Men's Open category. Harish M emerged as the star, captivating audiences with his exceptional performance, earning a score of 12.20. Fellow Tamil Nadu surfer Sivaraj Babu also excelled with a score of 11.17 points. Other notable surfers advancing included Kishore Kumar (11.0), Sanjay Selvamani (10.50), Srikanth D (10.27), Sanjaikumar S (8.67), Ajeesh Ali (8.50), Ramesh Budhial (8.40), Nithishvarun T (8.30), Tayin Arun (8.13), Surya P (7.77), Raghul P (7.70), Ruban V (7.67), Ragul Govind (7.20), and Manivannan T (6.03).

The quarter-finals, predominantly featuring Tamil Nadu athletes, saw Sivaraj Babu and Srikanth D deliver notable performances, with scores of 11.66 and 11.50 respectively. Joining them in the semi-finals are Ajeesh Ali (9.33), Sanjaikumar S (8.84), Ramesh Budhial (8.13), Kishore Kumar (7.83), Akilan S (7.77), and Harish M (7.04). Reflecting on his achievement, Harish M stated, 'I'm thrilled to have earned the highest score despite tough conditions. The weak tides caused delays, but I'm glad to have secured my semi-final spot. I'm aiming to maintain my performance despite the pressure of strong competition.'

The final day of the Covelong Classic promises action-packed events with semi-finals and finals across several categories including Men's Open, Women's Open, Groms 16 & Under Boys, and Groms 16 & Under Girls. The event will conclude with a prize distribution ceremony. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)