The seventh edition of the NMPA Indian Open of Surfing 2026 began on a strong note at Blue Bay Tannirbhavi Eco Beach in Mangaluru, with several of India’s leading surfers advancing through the opening rounds of competition. The three-day championship, which serves as a key event in the National Championship Series and an important part of India’s selection process for the upcoming Asian Games, attracted surfers from across the country under favourable surfing conditions. In the Women’s Open category, Kamali Moorthy, Sugar Shanthi Banarse, Ishita Malaviya, Devi Ramanathan, Saanvi Hegde and Shrishti Selvam secured places in the semi-finals. Kamali emerged as the standout performer of the day, posting the highest score across all divisions with 13.83 points. Sugar followed with 11.00 points as both surfers comfortably advanced to the last four. Top contenders progress in Men’s Open category The Men’s Open division featured 45 surfers competing across 12 heats, with the top two athletes from each heat advancing to the second round. Among the leading performers were Kishore Kumar (12.90), Ramesh Budihal (12.57), Tayin Arun …