The Indian surfing team has secured two additional quotas for the 2026 Asian Games, with a spot each for men and women.
India now has four quotas for the upcoming multi-sport event in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where surfing is set to make its debut.
India’s campaign at the Asian Surfing Championship (ASC) 2025 in Mahabalipuram was headlined by Ramesh Budihal, who secured a bronze medal in the men’s open, the first individual medal for India at the continental stage.
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A total of 48 quotas were allocated after the championship — 24 for men, 24 for women. Each country can earn a maximum of two quotas per category — a team/NOC can have only two men and two women surfers at the Asiad.
The top four of men’s open and women’s open also received a ticket to the Surf City El Salvador ALAS Global Finals that will take place in Punta Mango between November 17 and 23.
The ASC 2025, the final qualifier for the upcoming Asiad, had 12 Indian surfers compete in four categories. The championship witnessed participation from over 100 athletes across 19 countries.
It was a historic outing for India, which had three of its surfers qualify for the quarterfinals for the first time, and two make it to the semifinals — Budihal and Kishore Kumar.
Standings:
Men’s Open:
1. Indonesia (1980 points), 2. South Korea (1800), 3. India (1785)
Women’s Open:
1. Japan (1000), 2. Indonesia (1670), 3. Thailand (1608).. 8. India (1200)
