Weeks away from her 17th birthday, Kamali will spearhead India\u2019s four-member surfing team at the Asian Games, with competition set to begin at Pacific Long Beach in Tahara, Aichi, on September 25.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Mahabalipuram surfer, currently India\u2019s No. 1 in women\u2019s shortboard, has already experienced the spotlight. Her story with her single mother, Suganthi, became the subject of a 24-minute short film that was nominated in the short film category at the 2020 British Academy Film Awards and was also shortlisted for the Oscars.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Kamali\u2019s sporting journey has extended far beyond the screen. She first stepped on a surfboard at the age of three, inspired by her uncle and surfing instructor Santhosh Moorthy. What began as a childhood pursuit gradually developed into a competitive career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI have worked so hard to reach this stage, and now it\u2019s time to believe in myself and enjoy every moment. No matter what happens, I\u2019ll give everything I have and make our country proud,\u201d Kamali told SAI Media.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Her competitive breakthrough came in 2023, when she won both the Women\u2019s Open and U-16 Girls titles at the Indian Open of Surfing. A year later, she became national champion before successfully defending both titles at the 2025 Indian Open of Surfing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She has continued that momentum in 2026, winning the Women\u2019s Open at the Little Andaman Pro and claiming gold in both the Women\u2019s Open and U-18 Girls categories at the NMPA Indian Open of Surfing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kamali also played a significant role in India\u2019s journey towards the Asian Games. At the 2024 Asian Surfing Championships in the Maldives, her performance contributed to India securing its historic qualification for surfing at the Games. She was subsequently selected alongside Goa\u2019s Sugar Shanthi Banarse for India\u2019s maiden Asian Games surfing team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo excited for this journey. Endless training, sacrifices, challenges, and countless hours of practice have made this Asian Games possible. Every drop of sweat and every difficult day was worth it. I\u2019m truly happy, proud, and grateful for how far we\u2019ve come. This is just the beginning, and we\u2019re going to give it everything we\u2019ve got,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Surfing is one of six sports making its Asian Games debut in Japan. India faces established surfing nations such as Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines, but the stakes extend beyond the continental competition, with the event also offering quota opportunities for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo excited for this journey. Endless training, sacrifices, challenges, and countless hours of practice have made this Asian Games possible. Every drop of sweat and every difficult day was worth it. I\u2019m truly happy, proud, and grateful for how far we\u2019ve come. This is just the beginning, and we\u2019re going to give it everything we\u2019ve got,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Now, with the Pacific waves awaiting her, the teenager who once found herself at the centre of a film is preparing for a very real sporting stage \u2014 one that could shape the next phase of her young career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n