Aayaa wins Rannamaari Challenge for fifth consecutive time

Mariyam Rahil Naseem (Aayaa) has once again proven her dominance in Maldivian surfing, winning the women’s open division of the Rannamaari Challenge for the fifth consecutive year.

Aayaa, who has now claimed seven titles in MSA Women’s Open events, secured this year’s championship by defeating Aminath Thanish Shiran in the final with 13.34 points, a commanding 6.17-point lead.

A record 12 athletes took part in this year’s women’s category. The Maldives Surfing Association (MSA) also introduced a new women’s junior event under the National Junior Surfing Championship, with all six junior athletes competing in the Rannamaari Challenge open division as well.

Thanish, who first competed in last year’s Rannamaari Challenge, impressed throughout the tournament. She won her opening heat this year and advanced through the quarterfinals against Naha Nasrulla and Mariyam Zoha, before defeating Shaziya Saeed (Saazu) in the semifinals.

Aayaa reached the final after overcoming Raufa Ahmed, who had earlier beaten Alia Latheef and Rishta Shuja in her quarterfinal heat.

In the Masters division, Mohamed Nusrath claimed victory with 11.50 points against Mohamed Nizam (Nizo), the president of the Bodyboarding Association, who also competed in last year’s Masters final.

The Maruhaba Cup, the team event of the Rannamaari Challenge, was won by the Kaafu Malé team. The team included Yasin Ahmed Nashid, Yoosuf Kayan Hamdhan Zaki, Sayyid Salahuddin, Mohamed Fayaz (Pele), and Nooh Mohammed Dhunaim Irushad.

The Male' team triumphed over Kaafu Thulusdhoo featuring Ahmed Hisham Shaheem, Adam Mueen Ibrahim, Mohamed Nusrath, and Ahmed Aagil (Ammadey) in the final. Four teams competed in this year’s Maruhaba Cup, with Thulusdhoo having earlier defeated Raa Rasmaadhoo, last year’s finalist.