Latest news with #ArunVasu
United News of India
20 hours ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Asia's best Surfers to converge at Mahabs for Asian Surfing meet
Chennai, July 31 (UNI) More than 150 surfers from 20 countries will display their skills on maneuvering the tidal waves as the stage is set for the ASF Asian Surfing Championship to be held at the tourist resort of Mahabalipuram, about 55 km from here, from August 3-12. In a release here today, the Organisers said this year's championship will bring together athletes from 20 Asian countries and competitors will battle it out in Shortboard divisions-- Open Men, Open Women, U18 Boys, and U18 Girls. Beyond the medals--Gold, Silver, Bronze and Copper--surfers will be vying for qualification spots for the 2026 Asian Games, making this a landmark event on the Asian surfing calendar. Mahabalipuram, the jewel of Tamil Nadu's coastline, is set to make waves on the international stage as it is all set to host the ASF Asian Surfing meet starting on Sunday. Tamil Nadu continues to lead India's surfing movement, with 8 out of 12 Indian team athletes coming from the state. This is a testament to the region's strong grassroots programs and focus on elite athlete development. The participating countries included Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, UAE and Uzbekistan This Championship will be the Final Qualifier for the 2026 Asian Games. "Apart from the top performing national teams at this championship earning qualification slots for the 2026 Asian Games, additionally, the top individual male and female surfers in the Open Shortboard category will each secure a direct berth to the 2025 World Surfing Championship", the Organisers said. Arun Vasu, President, Surfing Federation of India, said "Hosting the Asian Surfing Championships in Mahabalipuram marks a historic moment for Indian surfing. With Tamil Nadu at the forefront, we are not only showcasing our incredible athletes but also building a stronger global community through partnerships like the ASF–PASA initiative. This event will inspire countless young surfers to dream bigger and ride higher." UNI GV 1635
The Hindu
a day ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Head to Mamallapuram to catch surfers in action at the ASF Asian Surfing Championships 2025
Have you ever watched in awe as surfers, graceful and agile, take on the waves at the Coromandel coast? Chennai's many surf schools at any given point of time, have a clutch of newbies trying to master the basics of this surface water sport alongside skilled athletes who have won laurels over the last decade. As fascination for this sport continues to grow, the sandy shores of Mamallapuram that has nurtured this surfing revolution is all set to host the ASF(Asian Surfing Federation) Asian Surfing Championships 2025 from August 3 to 12. Supported by the Government of Tamil Nadu, the Department of Youth Welfare & Sports Development, and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), over 150 surfers from 20 Asian countries will converge in Mamallapuram. 'This is the first time that India will host the Asian Surfing Championships and it is a historic event for us. This is the final qualifier for the 2026 Asian Games. The last two championships were held in Maldives and this year, we were up against Japan to host the event,' says Arun Vasu, President, Surfing Federation of India. Mahabalipuram, he says, proved to be the ideal destination for the event given how consistent the waves are, as well as how accessible the place is for travel, accommodation and other logistics for athletes from across the world. 'For the last decade or so, we have been promoting Tamil Nadu as a surfing destination. This is going to be a fantastic opportunity for the surfing community here, to see world-class athletes in action,' Arun adds. Team India, which was put together after a rigorous selection process has eight athletes from Tamil Nadu of the 12 team members. Surfers from the twenty participating teams will compete in the Open Men, Open Women, Under 18 Boys and Under 18 Girls categories. For now, all hopes are pinned on good weather persisting throughout the competitions. 'Anyone can come in and watch; they can go down to the beach right in front of the Shore temple,' Arun says. The ASF Asian Surfing Championships 2025 will take place from August 3 to 12 in Mamallapuram. For further details and the schedule, log onto
New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
'Home advantage' may help India secure surfing quotas for 2026 Asiad
CHENNAI: The fourth edition of the Asian Surfing Championships in Mahabalipuram on August 3 is expected to be a high-voltage affair. The event will serve as a crucial platform for countries to qualify for next year's Asian Games in Japan. Surfing Federation of India (SFI) president Arun Vasu is brimming with optimism over India's chances in the meet ending on August 12. "In the Asian rankings, we are tied with China in the fourth spot. But with home advantage, I feel we have a good chance of securing more quotas," he told this daily during the launch event. Surfing stronghold Japan was the other country to bid for the event. "We started the bid process in March this year, and we successfully pulled it off. The conditions in Mahabalipuram are similar to Aichi - Nagoya in Japan, where the Asian Games will take place. That way, the athletes will be well prepared," he explained. Around 20 countries in Asia and up to 150 athletes are expected to be part of the event. The top performing nations will earn qualification slots for the Asian Games. Countries in the top 8 will earn a slot each in the men's and women's shortboard categories. Top individuals in this category will be selected for the 2025 World Surfing Championships.
Hans India
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Indian Open Surfing returns for its sixth edition
Mangaluru: Taneerbavi Beach in coastal Karnataka is set to come alive with waves and action as the Indian Open of Surfing (IOS) returns for its sixth edition from May 30 to June 1. Recognised as one of India's premier national-level surfing competitions, the event forms part of the Surfing Federation of India's National Surfing Championship series. Organised by the Surfing Swami Foundation and hosted by the Mantra Surf Club, this year's IOS comes at a time when Indian surfing is riding a new wave of recognition—having secured two quotas for the 2026 Asian Games for the first time last year. Top national surfers across four categories—Men's Open, Women's Open, and U-16 Groms (Boys and Girls)—will vie not only for titles but also for valuable ranking points as they look to qualify for the Asian Surfing Championship later this year, the gateway to the continental games. 'This edition is expected to be more competitive than ever,' said Arun Vasu, President of the SFI. 'With Asian Games qualification now a tangible target, the stakes are higher and the athletes are hungrier.' With growing government and corporate support and a rising presence on the international stage, surfing in India appears to be gathering fresh momentum, and the Indian Open of Surfing is set to be its latest showcase.
Hans India
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Surf's up in Mangalore as Indian Open of Surfing returns for its sixth edition
Mangalore: Taneerbavi Beach in coastal Karnataka is set to come alive with waves and action as the Indian Open of Surfing (IOS) returns for its sixth edition from May 30 to June 1. Recognised as one of India's premier national-level surfing competitions, the event forms part of the Surfing Federation of India's National Surfing Championship series. Organised by the Surfing Swami Foundation and hosted by the Mantra Surf Club, this year's IOS comes at a time when Indian surfing is riding a new wave of recognition—having secured two quotas for the 2026 Asian Games for the first time last year. Top national surfers across four categories—Men's Open, Women's Open, and U-16 Groms (Boys and Girls)—will vie not only for titles but also for valuable ranking points as they look to qualify for the Asian Surfing Championship later this year, the gateway to the continental games. 'This edition is expected to be more competitive than ever,' said Arun Vasu, President of the SFI. 'With Asian Games qualification now a tangible target, the stakes are higher and the athletes are hungrier.' Surfers such as Kishore Kumar, Kamali P, Harish Muthu, Ajeesh Ali, Srikanth D, and Sanjay Selvamani—many of whom contributed to India's 5th place ranking in Asia last year—are likely to draw considerable attention. Ahead of the main event, a Grom Search will be held at Panambur Beach to scout young surfers from Karnataka's coastal communities. The initiative, led by the Surfing Swami Foundation in partnership with local surf schools, aims to provide early-stage coaching and mentorship to emerging talent. With growing government and corporate support and a rising presence on the international stage, surfing in India appears to be gathering fresh momentum, and the Indian Open of Surfing is set to be its latest showcase.
