Kamali Moorthy Shines at NMPA Indian Open of Surfing 2026

Kamali Moorthy, a talented surfer from Tamil Nadu, made waves at the NMPA Indian Open of Surfing 2026 by winning both the Women's Open and U-18 Girls titles. The championship, a key event for selecting the Indian team for the upcoming Asian Games, also saw Kishore Kumar claim the Men's Open title and local favorite Pradeep Pujar win the Surfing Juniors U-18 Boys category. With emerging talents shining in newly introduced U-14 divisions, the event highlighted the growth of surfing in India. Read on to discover more about the thrilling performances and future prospects for these young athletes.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 31, 2026, 19:51 IST

Kamali Moorthy's Triumph at the NMPA Indian Open

Kamali Moorthy, a gifted teenage surfer from Tamil Nadu, has made headlines by securing India's surfing quota for the upcoming Asian Games. She achieved a remarkable feat by winning both the Women's Open and U-18 Girls titles at the seventh NMPA Indian Open of Surfing 2026.

This championship is a significant event on the national surfing calendar and plays a crucial role in selecting the Indian team for the 2026 Asian Games. Another talented surfer from Tamil Nadu, Kishore Kumar, claimed the Men's Open title, while local favorite Pradeep Pujar brought home Karnataka's sole title by winning the Surfing Juniors U-18 Boys category. Additionally, Harish P and Dhamayanthi Sriram triumphed in the newly introduced U-14 Boys and U-14 Girls categories, respectively.

The winners received cash prizes, certificates, and mementos. The selection for the Indian surfing team for Aichi-Nagoya 2026 will be based on performances from this championship, the inaugural Andaman Little Pro 2026, coaching camps, international events, and overall rankings.

Kamali Moorthy's Stellar Performance in Women's Open

Kamali Moorthy successfully defended her title in the Women's Open category with an impressive score of 13.17. Sugar Shanti Banarse finished closely behind with 11.73, while Shrishti Selvam secured third place with 8.50.

Both Kamali and Sugar entered the final as favorites, delivering an exciting contest. Sugar initially took the lead with a strong opening wave, but Kamali, the defending champion, maintained her composure and executed a decisive scoring ride late in the heat to reclaim her title.

Kishore Kumar Wins Men's Open Title

Kishore Kumar, a teenage talent from Tamil Nadu, clinched the Men's Open title with a score of 15.20. He outperformed competitors Ramesh Budihal (12.87), Sivaraj Babu (11.90), and Srikanth D (9.93) in a fiercely contested final.

The championship heat featured some of the best surfers in the country. Ramesh started strong with two quality waves, but Kishore responded with impressive scores on his opening rides, maintaining his lead throughout the contest. Despite Sivaraj's attempts at radical maneuvers, he ultimately finished in third place.

Local Star Pradeep Pujar Claims Junior Title

Local favorite Pradeep Pujar delighted the crowd by winning the Surfing Juniors U-18 Boys title. His standout performance included a defining wave that showcased his skills, earning him a score of 12.17. Tayin Arun from Tamil Nadu finished second with 11.26 points, while Prahlad Sriram took third with 9.50.

Pradeep expressed his joy, stating, "Winning my first national championship title in front of my home crowd is an incredible feeling. The competition was tough, and I appreciate the support from my coach, the Surfing Swami Foundation, and my family throughout my journey."

Kamali Moorthy Completes Championship Double

Following her success in the Women's Open, Kamali Moorthy also triumphed in the Surfing Juniors U-18 Girls final, posting a winning score of 14.83. Karnataka's Saanvi Hegde finished second with 5.67 points, while Aadya Singh secured third with 2.73.

Kamali expressed her excitement, saying, "I'm thrilled to have won both the Women's Open and U-18 Girls' titles. I thank everyone involved for organizing such a fantastic event and look forward to the Asian Games selection process."

Emerging Talent in U-14 Categories

The newly introduced U-14 Boys and Girls categories highlighted the emerging talent in Indian surfing. Harish P dominated the boys' final with a score of 17.23, followed by Sheikh Davudh S (12.97) and Prahlad Sriram (8.40).

In the girls' division, Dhamayanthi Sriram claimed victory with 10.50 points, while Arabolu Nethra (8.13) and Sanvita Kundar (5.54) followed.

Semifinal Highlights

The final day began with the semifinals of the Surfing Juniors U-18 Boys category, where Pradeep Pujar led with a score of 9.27, joined by Tayin Arun (7.77), Prahlad Sriram (7.03), and Yogesh A (6.80).

The Men's Open semifinals saw Ramesh Budihal shine with a standout performance, scoring 12.27. He was joined in the final by Tamil Nadu surfers Srikanth D (10.40), Sivaraj Babu (9.67), and Kishore Kumar (9.40).

The Women's Open semifinals featured an exciting contest between Kamali Moorthy and Sugar Shanti Banarse, both scoring 13.00, while Shrishti Selvam (7.40) and Devi Ramanathan (6.93) also advanced.

Conclusion of the Championship

The successful conclusion of the NMPA Indian Open of Surfing 2026 marks a proud moment for Indian surfing, showcasing the sport's growth along the west coast, particularly in Mangaluru. Pradeep Pujar's U-18 Boys title reflects the dedication of coaches, clubs, and the surfing community.

Rammohan Paranjape, Vice President of the Surfing Federation of India, expressed gratitude to sponsors and partners for their support in making the championship a success.