Sekar Patchai and Arthi Triumph at Little Andaman Pro 2026
Sekar Patchai and Arthi Claim SUP Titles
In a remarkable display of skill, Sekar Patchai secured the Men's Technical SUP title, while Arthi dominated the Women's category on the second day of the inaugural Little Andaman Pro 2026. This championship, the first of its kind in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, is organized by the Surfing Federation of India (SFI) and fully sponsored by Andaman & Nicobar Tourism.
Sekar Patchai, a renowned figure in Indian stand-up paddling and multiple-time national champion, completed the 2km technical race with an impressive time of 10:05.02, earning him the gold medal. Rajesh D followed with a silver medal, clocking in at 10:26.34, while Dinesh Selvamani took the bronze with a time of 10:37.33.
In the Women's Technical SUP event, Arthi showcased her prowess, finishing first with a time of 13:53.20. Vijayalakshmi Irulappan closely trailed her to secure the silver medal at 14:06.01, and Nishi rounded out the podium with a time of 20:58.96.
Exciting Surfing Action on the Penultimate Day
The penultimate day of the event featured thrilling surfing competitions in the Men's Open category, starting with the repechage (Round 2). A total of 18 surfers competed in six heats, with the top two from each heat advancing to Round 3, joining those who qualified on Day 1.
Men's Open Surfing Results
Round 3 showcased exceptional performances as elite surfers vied for a spot in the knockout rounds. The results were as follows:
| Heat | Surfer 1 | Score | Surfer 2 | Score |
|------|-------------------|-------|----------------|-------|
| 1 | Kishore Kumar | 9.27 | Logesh S | 5.84 |
| 2 | Harish M | 9.17 | Ajeesh Ali | 8.83 |
| 3 | Sanjay Selvamani | 13.50 | Praveen Ratod | 8.47 |
| 4 | Ramesh Budhial | 16.00 | Jeevan S | 4.17 |
| 5 | Srikanth D | 11.67 | Som Sethi | 9.50 |
| 6 | Sanjaikumar S | 10.90 | Nithish Varun T| 9.16 |
| 7 | Akilan S | 9.00 | Ruban V | 7.03 |
| 8 | Sivaraj Babu | 8.24 | Sheik Davudh S | 7.07 |
These surfers have secured their places in the knockout stage set for the final day.
Women's Open Quarterfinals
In the Women's Open quarterfinals, the following surfers excelled and advanced to the semi-finals:
| Surfer | Score |
|--------------------------|-------|
| Sugar Shanti Banarse | 12.84 |
| Kamali Moorthy | 10.34 |
| Shrishti Selvam | 7.47 |
| Riva Aurora | 5.43 |
| Devi Ramanathan | 5.07 |
| Sandhya Arun | 4.20 |
Ideal Conditions at Butler Bay
"The conditions at Butler Bay have been outstanding, with consistent waves and clean right-handers facilitating uninterrupted competition. The reef break has created a highly technical environment, and the strong backing from the Andaman & Nicobar Tourism Department has been crucial for the smooth execution of the championship," stated Jehan Driver, Secretary General of the Surfing Federation of India.
As the inaugural Little Andaman Pro 2026 approaches its conclusion, the final day promises to deliver high-octane action with titles at stake.