India Announces Surfing Team for 2026 Asian Games in Japan

Indian Surfing Team Selected for Asian Games

The Surfing Federation of India (SFI) has officially announced the selection of four surfers to represent India at the upcoming 2026 Asian Games, which will take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.

In a recent press release, the SFI revealed that the athletes were chosen based on recommendations from the SFI Asian Games Selection Committee.

The selection criteria included evaluations of performances in national competitions, participation in dedicated selection camps, international experience, and assessments by the national coaching staff. These factors led to the finalization of both the men's and women's surfing teams.

This edition of the Asian Games will mark the debut of surfing, with events scheduled at Pacific Long Beach in Tahara City, Aichi Prefecture, from September 25 to 29.

The men's team comprises Kishore Kumar, who reached the semi-finals at the 2025 Asian Surfing Championships in Mahabalipuram, and Sivaraj Babu, both of whom are currently tied for the top position in the SFI rankings, as reported by Olympics.com.

Ramesh Budihal, who made history as the first Indian to secure an individual medal at the Asian Surfing Championships with a bronze last year, has been named as a reserve. Additionally, Srikanth D, a member of the silver medal-winning team at the 2024 Asian Championships, is also included among the reserves.

On the women's side, the team features Kamali Moorthy, a multiple-time national champion and the current top-ranked female surfer in India, alongside Sugar Shanti Banarse, who holds the second position in the national rankings. Both have consistently excelled in the sport.

Reserves for the women's team include Shrishti Selvam and Devi Ramanathan.

India's surfing team for the 2026 Asian Games is as follows:

Men: Kishore Kumar, Sivaraj Babu; Reserves: Ramesh Budihal, Srikanth D.

Women: Kamali Moorthy, Sugar Shanti Banarse; Reserves: Shrishti Selvam, Devi Ramanathan.