Sekar Patchai and Tanvi Jagdish Shine at SUP Challenge 2024

Sekar Patchai from Tamil Nadu dominated the men's events, securing all titles at the National Stand-Up Paddling Championship 2024. In the women's division, Tanvi Jagdish and Anandi Arthi claimed victories in the Distance and Sprint races, respectively. The event concluded successfully at Pirappanvalasi Beach, Rameswaram.

Sekar Patchai from Tamil Nadu made a clean sweep in the men's category at the SUP Challenge 2024, clinching all the titles at this year's National Stand-Up Paddling Championship. Patchai added the distance and sprint race titles to his previously secured technical race title.

In the women's division, Tanvi Jagdish triumphed in the newly introduced Distance Race, rounding off her double victory. Local sensation Anandi Arthi dethroned defending champion Monika P to win the Sprint race. The two-day national championship concluded today at Pirappanvalasi Beach, Rameswaram. Commenting on the championship's success, Jehan Driver, an international SUP coach and the General Secretary of the Surfing Federation of India, expressed delight over the sport's rising popularity.

'It's incredibly satisfying to see the rising popularity and development of water sports like Stand-Up Paddling. This year, we set a new participation record. The Palkbay SUP Challenge serves as a valuable platform for young athletes to demonstrate their abilities against top-level competitors from across the country. We are deeply thankful to the Tamil Nadu Government and our sponsors for their dedication,' Driver was quoted in a release from the Surfing Federation of India. Defending champion Monika P and strong contender Tanvi Jagdish, who claimed the technical race title in the women's category, were stunned by 14-year-old Anandi Arthi from the local Pirappanvalasai village.

Arthi walked away with the Sprint Women's race title with an impressive timing of 2:08.43. Karnataka's Tanvi finished second with 2:23.46, while Tamil Nadu's Monika came third with 2:26.55 in the 200m category. 'The feeling of becoming the champion in the Sprint category fills me with immense joy and pride, especially since I managed to defeat more experienced and former champions. The competition was fierce, but I had faith in myself, and my hard work paid off. I am thankful to my coach Jehan sir, for his dedication,' said Anandi Arthi after her impressive win.

Sekar Patchai, who also took the technical race title, emerged victorious in the men's distance (12 KM) category, defending his title from the previous edition. He finished the race with a timing of 1:26:40.62, followed closely by Manikandan M, who completed the race in second place with a timing of 1:28:23.78. Akash Pujar from Karnataka stood third with a timing of 1:43:42.94.