This marks the first time a junior surfer has earned a spot on the senior national team.
Yoosuf Kayan Hamdhan Zaki, 14, has been selected for the senior squad of the Maldives national surfing team.
This marks the first time a junior surfer has earned a spot on the senior national team.
Kayan secured his position by finishing sixth in this year’s National League rankings, which also guarantees his place in next year’s senior squad.
He previously topped the junior rankings in the National League 2022 and reached the finals in an open division event this year.
Kayan reached the quarter-finals at the Kalhegalekodaa tournament in Gaafu Dhaalu Gadhdhoo and was the runner-up in the Muleekolhu Raalhugandu event in Meemu Muli, narrowly losing to Ismail Rasheed (Smiley). He also made it to the semi-finals of the Randha Raalhugandu tournament in Kaafu Thulusdhoo.
Having been part of the junior national team for the past two years, Kayan also reached the semi-finals of this year’s Asian Surfing Championships.
Maldives Surfing Association (MSA) selects the national team based on National League rankings, with the top six surfers earning spots. In addition to Kayan, the 2024 senior squad includes league champion Hood Ahmed, second runner-up Ismail Miglal (Kuda Issey), third runner-up Najaah Mohamed, fourth runner-up Ismail Rasheed, and fifth runner-up Ahmed Agil.
Junior surfers have made significant improvements in their rankings in this year’s league. Kayan Abdulla Areef ranked seventh, Yaseen Ahmed Nasheed secured eighth place, and this year’s junior league champion, Mohamed Inan Abdul Hannaan, finished ninth in the senior rankings.
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