Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Indian Surfers Debut at Asian Games, Finish Last in Heats
Surfing was included in the Asian Games for the first time.
India sent two women surfers, Sugar Shanti Gayen and Kamali, to compete.
They took part in the first round of the women’s shortboard event.
Gayen scored 3.84 and finished last in her heat.
Kamali scored 3.74 and also finished last in her heat.
Kamali’s heat included Japan’s Mirai Ikeda and one other competitor.
The two Indian surfers were expected to compete again in the second round later that day.
India also entered Kishore Kumar Anbarashu and Sivaraj Babu in the men’s event.
Sugar Shanti Gayen finished last among three competitors in women’s shortboard heat three with a score of 3.84.
Kamali finished last in heat five with a score of 3.74, behind Japan’s Mirai Ikeda and another competitor.
Both Indian surfers competed at Pacific Long Beach in Tahara during surfing’s Asian Games debut.
Gayen and Kamali were scheduled to return later Friday for second-round heats.
India’s men’s shortboard competitors are Kishore Kumar Anbarashu and Sivaraj Babu.
- Who
- Indian surfers Sugar Shanti Gayen and Kamali competed in the women’s shortboard event; Kishore Kumar Anbarashu and Sivaraj Babu represented India in the men’s event.
- What
- Gayen and Kamali finished last in their respective opening-round heats as surfing made its Asian Games debut.
- When
- Friday; surfing was scheduled from September 25 to 28, with September 29 as a reserve day.
- Where
- Pacific Long Beach in Tahara.
- Why
- India was competing in surfing after the sport was added to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
- Event
- Women’s shortboard, opening round
- Gayen’s score
- 3.84
- Kamali’s score
- 3.74
- Venue
- Pacific Long Beach, Tahara
- Competition dates
- September 25–28
- Reserve day
- September 29
- Indian squad
- Four surfers: Sugar Shanti Gayen, Kamali, Kishore Kumar Anbarashu and Sivaraj Babu