The inaugural India Paddle Festival, the nation’s first-ever international stand-up paddling (SUP) championship, kicked off with a vibrant opening ceremony at the pristine Sasihithlu Beach on Friday. The first day not only marked the commencement of the festival but also featured a thrilling Junior U16 race, showcasing local talents Akash and Ravi Pujar securing the top two positions, while South Korea’s Jihoo Hwang claimed third place.

Over the course of the three-day SUP event, more than 40 elite athletes from 13 countries will participate. The official announcement of the event was made by Speaker UT Khader. The second day of the festival promises action-packed performances from world number 2 Fernando Perez, Esperanza Barreras, and Junior World SUP Champion Bianca Toncelli, competing in both men’s and women’s categories.

On the opening day, the U-16 Junior category race saw Akash Pujar clinching the winner’s trophy with an impressive time of 43:04 minutes. Following closely was local contender Raju Pujar, securing the second position with a time of 47:24 minutes. Jihoo Hwang from South Korea secured the third position, completing the race in 52:52 minutes. The festival is scheduled to conclude on March 10.

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