Rafa and Dheema reach semi-finals, win bronze at Islamic Solidarity Games

Maldivian table tennis duo Fathimath Dheema Ali and Aisha Rafa Nazim have won bronze after reaching the semi-finals of the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Rafa and Dheema advanced to the semi-finals after defeating Egypt’s Yusra Ashraf Abduraziq and Hind Mohamed Fathuhy Abdul Khaleem 3–1 in the women’s doubles quarter-finals. The Egyptian pair took the opening game 11–3, but the Maldivian pair fought back to win the next three 11–9, 13–11 and 11–5.

Earlier, they overcame Pakistan’s Hoor Fawad and Kalsoom Khan in straight sets, 11–7, 11–7, 11–9.

In the semi-finals, Rafa and Dheema faced Turkey’s Ees Haraka and Uzgi Yilmaz, who won 3–1. The Turkish pair took the first two games 11–7 and 11–5, before the Maldivians pulled one back 11–7. Turkey sealed victory with an 11–6 win in the fourth game, sending Rafa and Dheema to bronze.

In the men’s doubles, Maldivian pair Moosa Munsif Ahmed and Mohamed Shaffan Ismail reached the quarter-finals.