Fri Jul 25 17:55:44 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text followed by a rewritten news article:

**Summary:**

The article reports on the opening day of the Malabar River Festival (MRF) on July 25, 2025, focusing on the participation of a 10-year-old kayaker, Ryan Varghese. Despite not winning, Ryan, the youngest contestant, finished the Intermediate Extreme Slalom event, earning recognition for his promising talent. His 12-year-old sister, Dona Marcella, also performed well, finishing fourth in the women’s category. The siblings are supported by their kayaking enthusiast parents, who hope they will represent India in the sport in the future.

**News Article:**

**Young Kayaker Steals Hearts at Malabar River Festival**

*Kodenchery (Kozhikode), July 25, 2025* – The Malabar River Festival (MRF) kicked off today with a splash, but it was 10-year-old Ryan Varghese who truly stole the show. The Ernakulam native, the youngest competitor at this year’s festival, successfully navigated the challenging Intermediate Extreme Slalom course, earning accolades for his skill and determination.

While Ryan didn’t secure a podium finish, his accomplishment was celebrated as a victory in itself. Spectators, including local villagers, were captivated by the young kayaker, eager to chat and take photos with the rising star. Ryan’s 12-year-old sister, Dona Marcella, also impressed, placing fourth in the women’s Intermediate Extreme Slalom.

“I was tense at first, but once I entered the water, there was no time to think,” Ryan stated, adding that he was happy to have finished safely.

The siblings, students at St. Mary’s Public School in Thamarachal, Ernakulam, have participated in the MRF previously. Their passion for kayaking is nurtured by their parents, George Felix and Panimaya Priyadarshini, both flat water kayakers themselves. The parents, who took up kayaking during the pandemic, ensured that their children received professional training, including instruction from national champion Amit Thapa in Rishikesh.

“This water is very turbulent and hence it is tough for a beginner to traverse. We saw several experienced kayakers failing and being rescued. This makes Ryan’s performance noteworthy,” said his mother Panimaya.

“We do not have many kayakers to represent India in the smaller age groups,” said Panimaya Priyadarshini, expressing hope that Ryan and Dona will one day represent India on the international stage. “We definitely hope Ryan and Dona will make us proud by representing the nation.” The Malabar River Festival continues tomorrow, promising more thrilling displays of kayaking prowess.

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