From Heat 1, Ramesh Budihal set the tone. Competing at Mahabalipuram—a powerful right-hand point break where he’s claimed three undefeated national titles—he knew exactly what the waves could do and how to work them. In Round 3, he went up against Indonesia’s Mega Artana, Chinese Taipei’s John John Chan, and Maldives’ Ismail Rasheed. Though he missed the win by just 1.5 points, he advanced to the quarterfinals.
All three Indian pros—Ramesh, Srikanth, and Kishore—made it to the quarters. Starting the day in Heat 1, Ramesh won by 2.04 points. In the semis, he faced Pajar Ariyana (Indonesia), Kishore (India), and Shidong Wu (China), securing second place in the heat. That result made him the only Indian surfer to have ever reached that stage in an international competition of this level—a victory in itself.
Mahabalipuram, a historic temple town two hours from Chennai, is known for its strong currents and consistent right-hand point break. A few years ago, it hosted the WSL QS 3000, putting India on the global surfing map. This year, blessed with peak summer swell and ideal conditions, the event saw some of the best surfers in Asia deliver top-tier performances.
In the finals, Ramesh opened strong, taking the first wave within minutes. Up against Korea’s Kanoa — who went on to win gold in both the Men’s Open and U18 Boys — and Indonesia’s Pajar Ariyana and Mega Artana, he battled hard in a heat that saw Pajar drop a 9.5. Ramesh’s performance earned him the bronze medal — an extraordinary milestone for Indian surfing.
As the waves settled at Mahabalipuram, Ramesh’s bronze was more than just a podium finish — it was a big step forward for Indian surfing, and a sign there’s plenty more to come.
