Kishore Kumar Wins Covelong Classic Men’s Open as Kamali Moorthy Completes Double

Kishore Kumar and Kamali Moorthy emerged as the standout performers at the Covelong Classic 2026, the fourth stop of the Surfing Federation of India National Surfing and SUP Series 2026, held at Covelong Point in Tamil Nadu.

Kishore claimed the Men’s Open title in a tightly contested final, while Kamali completed a memorable double by winning both the Women’s Open and Women’s Juniors 18 & Under categories.

The results have added further intrigue to the national surfing series with the final stop now approaching. The Shore Temple Classic at Mahabalipuram will bring the 2026 national series to a conclusion, with national rankings and World Surf League wildcard selections also set to be finalised.

Kishore Kumar produced an important response after his semifinal exit at the Point Break Challenge, returning strongly at Covelong to secure his second Men’s Open victory of the season. The final was decided by one of the narrowest margins of the competition.

Kishore finished with a combined score of 15.67, edging Srikanth D, who recorded 15.00. The difference of just 0.67 points highlighted the competitive nature of the final and ensured that Kishore had to maintain his composure through the decisive stages. Harish M finished third with 8.17, while Sivaraj Babu ended the final in fourth place with 7.43.

The victory was particularly important for Kishore because it came after the disappointment of missing out in the semifinals at his previous event. Rather than allowing that result to affect his momentum, he responded with a title-winning performance at Covelong. It was also his second victory of the 2026 national series, following his earlier success in Mangalore.

The result strengthens Kishore's position ahead of the final event and gives him valuable momentum as the national rankings approach their conclusion.

Kamali Moorthy was the most successful competitor across the women's categories, winning both the Women’s Open and Women’s Juniors 18 & Under titles. Her performance in the Women’s Open final was controlled and effective. Kamali recorded a combined score of 11.63 to finish ahead of Sugar Shanti Banarse, who scored 10.17.

The victory established Kamali as the leading performer in the women's competition at the Covelong Classic. She then produced an even stronger display in the junior final. Kamali scored 16.17 in the Women’s Juniors 18 & Under category, finishing a commanding 8.07 points ahead of runner-up Saanvi Hegde. The difference between the two scores underlined the quality of Kamali's performance and made her double one of the defining achievements of the Covelong Classic.

Winning both categories also demonstrated her ability to perform across different competitive settings during the same event.

The Men’s Juniors 18 & Under competition produced another significant result, with Tayin Arun finally securing his first title of the season. Tayin had already finished runner-up twice during the national series, but he went one step further at Covelong. He recorded 11.73 to edge Harish P, who finished with 11.70. The final margin was just 0.03 points, making it the closest result among the featured finals at the Covelong Classic.

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For Tayin, the victory represents an important breakthrough after two near misses earlier in the season. Having twice finished second, he was able to convert his latest opportunity into a title and end the fourth stop of the national series on a high.

The Covelong Classic was the fourth stop of the Surfing Federation of India National Surfing and SUP Series 2026, meaning the season is now heading towards its decisive final event. The Shore Temple Classic will be held at Mahabalipuram from August 12 to 16. The event carries additional significance because it will feature a WSL QS 2000 and Pro Junior competition, while also serving as the final stage for determining the national rankings.

World Surf League wildcard selections will also be finalised at the event, increasing the importance of every performance. For competitors such as Kishore Kumar, the final stop provides an opportunity to build on the momentum generated at Covelong. Kishore's second victory of the season has strengthened his position, while Kamali's double further establishes her as one of the leading young surfers in the national series.

Tayin Arun will also arrive at Mahabalipuram with renewed confidence after finally converting his consistent podium performances into a title.

The Covelong Classic has therefore left the 2026 national surfing series with several important storylines heading into the finale. Kishore Kumar demonstrated his ability to bounce back from disappointment and win a closely contested Men's Open final. Kamali Moorthy dominated both women's categories she entered, while Tayin Arun broke through after two runner-up finishes.

The final stop at Mahabalipuram will determine how those performances translate into the overall national rankings. With the Shore Temple Classic carrying both national and international significance, the pressure will increase considerably. For Indian surfing, the event represents another important step in building a competitive domestic calendar while providing athletes with opportunities to gain experience and establish themselves on the international pathway.

At Covelong, Kishore Kumar, Kamali Moorthy and Tayin Arun ensured that the fourth stop of the series produced plenty of momentum.

Now, all eyes turn to Mahabalipuram.

The national surfing season has reached its final wave, and with rankings and WSL wildcard selections on the line, the Shore Temple Classic promises to provide a decisive conclusion to the 2026 series.