New Delhi, April 8 Top Indian talents such as Kishore Kumar, Sivaraj Babu, and Kamali Prakash will compete for honors at the inaugural Little Andaman Pro 2026, the national Surfing & Stand-Up Paddling championship, which will take place in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands on Thursday.
The four-day event, organized by the Surfing Federation of India, will feature nearly 100 participants competing in various categories, including men's open surfing, women's open surfing, SUP sprint (men & women), and SUP Technical (men & women).
Arun Vasu, the president of the SFI, emphasized the importance of the event, saying, "This championship is crucial for Indian surfing. As we prepare for the Asian Games, it is important for our athletes to compete in diverse and high-quality wave conditions."
Surfing will make its debut at the Asian Games in Japan later this year, and India has secured qualification quotas through strong performances at the recent Asian Surfing Championships.
Leading the men's surfing division will be Kishore, Sivaraj Babu, Srikanth D, and Ramesh Budhial.
Kishore has been one of India's standout performers internationally, winning a silver medal at the Asian Surfing Championships in Taiwan and becoming one of the first Indians to reach the semifinals at the continental level.
He has also contributed to India securing qualification slots for the upcoming Asian Games.
Sivaraj brings consistency and experience from the national circuit, while Srikanth has built a strong reputation through multiple domestic podium finishes.
In the women's division, Kamali, Sugar Shanthi, and Shristi Selvam are expected to be among the frontrunners.
Kamali has represented India at multiple international competitions and remains one of the country's most recognized surfing talents.
Shanthi and Shristi Selvam have emerged as strong competitors on the national circuit, reflecting the growing depth in Indian women's surfing.