India Secures Historic Surfing Quotas for 2026 Asian Games

Indian surfers have achieved a milestone by securing their first-ever quotas for the 2026 Asian Games at the Asian Surfing Championships 2024. Kishore Kumar's exceptional performance, along with Harish Muthu's accomplishments, contributed to this landmark achievement, marking a significant day for Indian surfing.

In a historic moment for Indian surfing, the national team competing in the Asian Surfing Championships 2024 has secured its first-ever quotas for the 2026 Asian Games. The team earned these spots, one each for men and women, based on their ranking points accumulated during the championship.

Kishore Kumar, who advanced to the semi-final of the championships, narrowly missed out on a top spot in a highly competitive environment. However, his stellar performance throughout the tournament ensured India earned the coveted quotas. The Asian Surfing Championships 2024, acting as a qualifier for the Asian Games 2026, featured eight Indian surfers competing across four categories, according to a release.

Kishore Kumar, a decorated surfer with multiple national titles, competed against some of Asia's best in the U-18 Boys category, finishing third in Heat 2 semi-final with a score of 8.26. He was bested by Chengzheng Wang of China and Taro Takai of Japan. Kumar had previously excelled in the earlier rounds of the championship. Another notable Indian surfer, Harish Muthu, made history by becoming the first Indian to qualify for the quarterfinals, though he fell short in a tough contest.

Arun Vasu, president of the Surfing Federation of India, expressed his pride in the surfers' achievements, calling it a testament to their dedication and hard work. "This accomplishment demonstrates the perseverance of our surfers, coaches, and the federation. We look forward to seeing our surfers at the Olympics in the future. While Kishore would have been an excellent finalist, we are incredibly proud of his talent and determination," Vasu said. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)