Fuvahmulah's Ashraf beats Khushruwan, becomes Bandufilaa Challenge champion

Ashraf Hassan, hailing from Gnaviyani Fuvahmulah, beats Ali Khushruwan Ahmed (Kuda Ayya) at the National Bandufilaa Challenge's Men's Open final, and has claimed the crown.

The Bandufilaa Challenge is the final competition in this year's National Bodyboarding League. Ashraf's score in the final was 13 points, with Khushruwan's score being 10.77 points.

Ashraf beat the winner of the league's first two competitions Aamin Umar Moosa during the semi-finals. Khushruwan moved to finals after beating Mohamed Kaif in the semi-finals.

Former Bandufilaa Challenge champion Eyan Ahmed lost to Aamin during the quarter-finals.

Ashraf lost to Aamin in the quarter-finals of this year's Burunu Shikaaru. Ashraf did not participate in the Labera Challenge. He finished third in the league, securing his spot in next year's national bodyboarding team.

This is the second time Ashraf has beat Khushruwan in a Bodyboarding League competition final. Before this, he became the first athlete to beat Khushruwan in a final in 10 years during the 2023 Burunu Shikaaru.

This year's Bandufilaa Challenge final is the first final he has gotten to since 2023. He finished 2023 in second place in the national league, with him placing fourth in last year's national league.