Local surfers aiming high
Six Malaysians will compete at Asian Surfing Championship 2025 in India next month, with hopes of catching the waves on larger global platforms.
The Aug 3 to 12 tournament in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, is a key event on the Asian Surfing Federation (ASF) calendar and serves as a qualifier for the 20th Asian Games in Japan in 2026.
Leading the national squad is 25-year-old Muhamad Nor Afiq Haikal Mohd Nor Azizi, from Cherating in Pahang, according to an ASF media statement.
The surf instructor also known as Kal, a consistent performer at both local and regional competitions, was a dual shortboard and longboard champion at the Tioman and Kejora surf festivals.
He has also competed in World Surf League-sanctioned and Asian Surfing Tour events.
'My ultimate aim is to represent Malaysia in the Olympics and grow the sport here,' he stated in his athlete profile.
Joining him in the Men's Open division is 16-year-old Lucas Santiago Wehle, a Malaysian-German surfer raised in Ericeira, Portugal.
Lucas, currently ranked first nationally in the Under-16 category, will also compete in the Junior Under-18 Boys division.
He trains under elite coaches Joao de Macedo and Eric Rebiere, and has placed in competitions in Portugal, France, Germany and Malaysia.
Mohd Nazrin Nasruddin rounds out the men's team.
In the Women's Open category, seasoned competitor Nurain Mat Isa – or Pinky – returns to the international stage.
The 35-year-old founder of Pink Sunset Surf School in Batu Caves, Selangor, is a two-time podium finisher at the 2024 Tioman Surf Festival.
Nurain has represented Malaysia in contests across Malaysia and Thailand.
Joining her are Tun Athirah Shah Norazhar and Mona Rasidah Abdul Rashid.
Tun Athirah, 28, is a Tioman-based resort manager with multiple top-three finishes at Desaru, Sabah and Tioman surf festivals.
All six athletes will undergo a week-long training camp at Cimaja Beach, West Java, ahead of the championship.
The camp aims to build wave-readiness, fitness and team cohesion.
The team is competing under National Sports Council's (NSC) Projek Khas 3 Sukan Olimpik, an elite programme targeting Olympic sports that include surfing.
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