Dheema defends six-year title, Munsif reclaims first rank in table tennis

Fathimath Dheema Ali and Moosa Munsif has claimed first place in the National Table Tennis Ranking 2024.

The second ranking tournament of the year was held last week.

With this, Dheema, who was a long-time table tennis athlete in Sri Lanka has defended her first place title in the female rankings for six successive years. The acclaimed star first joined a national ranking competition in 2018 and has since defended her honorable title consecutively.

Clinching all 24 matches she played during three rounds of the ranking tournament, Dheema accumulated a total of 48 points, once more emerging at the top. All contestants had played eight games in each round.

Aishath Rafa Nazim, who is currently studying Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery at the UK also competed in the tournament, marking her first participation in a domestic tournament after a one-year hiatus. With her return, Rafa triumphed 21 matches and scored 45 points to secure second place in the rankings.

Mishka Mohamed Ibrahim who claimed third place had won six matches during the first round, one less in the next round and another six matches in the third round, securing 41 points altogether.

Triumphing 15 matches with 39 points, fourth place in the ranking was claimed by Laisa Fathuhulla. Seasoned athlete, Fathmath Jumana Nimal meanwhile, secured fifth place after tallying 35 points in 11 successful matches.

Best 5 in Girls Ranking

1. Fathimath Dheema Ali: 48 points

2. Aishath Rafa Nazim: 45 points

3. Mishka Mohamed Ibrahim: 41 points

4. Laisa Fathuhulla Ismail: 39 points

5. Fathimath Jumana Nimal: 35 points

The top ranking athletes will receive all incentives offered to national team members.

The men's ranking games this year was much fiercer compared to the female division. Acclaimed table tennis star, Moosa Munsif Ahmed had reclaimed his title of top ranker after an brief interruption. He clinched all 24 matches in the tournament, tallying a total of 48 points.

Akhyar Ahmed Khalid, who previously defended the number one title slid one rank lower, triumphing 21 matches at 45 points to close in second place.

The athlete who had claimed the previous second place ranking, Mohamed Shaffan Ismail out of the country and could not join the tournament.

Winning 18 matches with 42 points, Zeek Hassan Latheef had succeeded this rank.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Auzam Azeem, who observed his first participation in the senior rankings had clinched fourth place, triumphing 15 matches with 37 points.

The fifth place ranker, Umair Mohamed Muizzu had clinched 35 points after securing 11 matches.

Best 5 in Boys Ranking

1. Moosa Munsif Ahmed

2. Akhyar Ahmed Khalid

3. Zeek Hassan Latheef

4. Ibrahim Auzam Azeem

5. Umair Mohamed Muizzu