Ramesh Budhial, Kishore Kumar, Sugar Shanti Banarse and Kamali P surf high to National Titles in the Mahabs Point Break Challenge

Mahabalipuram, 02nd August 2022:  Ramesh Budhilal, Kishore Kumar, Sugar Banarse, and Kalmali P fought the waves and the other competitors to be the National Champions in their respective categories on the final day of the Mahabs Point Break Challenge – one of the two National Surfing Championships conducted by the Surfing Federation of India in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.

In a nail-biting finish, Ramesh Budhial prevailed over Manikandan Desappan to be crowned the champion in the Men’s Open (17+) category. Sugar Banarse overcame the challenge of youngster Kamali P to emerge as the National Champion in the Women’s Open Category.  Local boy Kishore Kumar’s consistent performance helped him win the title in Surfing Groms (16 & Under) Boys. Kamali P finished the day on a high as she won the Groms (16 & Under) Girls category. Mahabs Point Break Challenge was held under the aegis of the Surfing Federation of India.

Arun Vasu, President of SFI said after the event, “It is evident that the sport is attracting more people from the number of participants for this event and we will be having even more participants in the Covelong Classic”.

“This is a comeback season for me and I am in good shape. I want to continue this form in the upcoming events also”, said Ramesh Budhilal, Men’s National Champion.

After his title, the Groms Boys Champion Kishore Kumar said, “I was comfortable in the races as it was familiar water for me, but I am a bit sad that I couldn’t qualify for the Open category finals”.

The day began with the semifinals of the men’s open (17+) surf category which saw Karnataka’s  Ramesh Budihal along with Tamil Nadu surfers, Manikandan Desappan (Appu), Sanjaikumar S, and Surya P advance into the finals. Ramesh finished with a total score of 15.20, whereas, runner-up Manikandan finished with 14. 43 points. Sanjai Kumar secured the third position with a total of 12.16.

Local Chennai boy, Kishore Kumar in the Groms Boys category was way ahead of his competitors and finished the race with a score of 15. 33, Kalapathy S scored a total of 10.96 followed by Naveenkumar R with a score of 9.36 to finish second and third.

Defending Champion from Goa, Sugar Shanti Banarase defended her title in a close encounter against Kamali P in the Women Open category. Sugar finished at 14.83 while runner-up Kamali was able to score a total of 14.17. Third place, Shrishti Selvam earned a total of 8.67.

“There was no pressure for me to defend the National title but I was pushed till the end which was good for me as I could perform better to win”, said the Women’s National Champion Sugar Banarse.

In the Groms Girls category, Kamali P won the title easily with a score of 15.67. Sofiya Sharma pushed Kamali till the end but faltered and ended with a total score of 11.57. Saanvi Hegde from Karnataka with a score of 4.80 landed the third position in this category.

“I was confident of winning the Groms title here but couldn’t perform my best in the finals. This will be a confident booster for me for the next event to perform well in both the Open & Groms categories”, said Kamali P after winning the National title.

The surfers will now move to Chennai for the Covelong Classic Surf, Music & Fitness Festival – the second of the two national surfing championships announced by SFI. The three-day championship which is set to begin on the 5th of August will see top national and some international surfers competing for the title.