LITTLE ANDAMAN
The crystal-clear waters of Butler Bay witnessed history as the first-ever Little Andaman Pro reached its thrilling penultimate stage. India’s premier paddlers, Sekar Patchai and Arthi, stole the show by clinching gold in their respective technical categories, proving their mastery over the waves.
Sekar Patchai, a household name in Indian stand-up paddling, lived up to his reputation. He dominated the 2km men’s technical race, crossing the finish line in a blistering 10:05.02. His rivals, Rajesh D and Dinesh Selvamani, followed to take silver and bronze. On the women’s side, Arthi showcased incredible stamina, securing the top spot with a time of 13:53.20, finishing ahead of Vijayalakshmi Irulappan.
Beyond the paddling, the day was packed with high-octane surfing. Top athletes like Ramesh Budhial and Sanjay Selvamani delivered standout performances in the reef breaks, moving one step closer to the championship trophies. In the women’s surfing division, Sugar Shanti Banarse led the pack into the semi-finals after a graceful display on the water.
This inaugural event, fully backed by Andaman & Nicobar Tourism, has been a massive success thanks to the perfect surfing conditions. “The clean waves have allowed for uninterrupted competition,” noted Jehan Driver of the Surfing Federation of India. As the sun sets on Day 2, all eyes are now on tomorrow’s final showdown, where the remaining surfing titles will be decided in what promises to be a spectacular finish to this island festival.