Maldivian athletes are making waves at the ongoing Asian Surfing Championship (ASC) in Tamil Nadu, India, with a new generation of surfers demonstrating impressive performances on the international stage. The tournament, hosted along the Coromandel Coast, brings together the region’s most promising surf talents across both junior and senior divisions. The Maldives’ participation this year marks a historic milestone the first time a national team includes multiple female surfers and a full junior squad competing abroad.
In the Men’s Junior Category, Yasin Ahmed Nasheed secured his place in Round 3 after finishing second in Heat 5 of the opening round. His total score of 11.73 points came from consistent and technically sound rides, placing him just behind John John Chan from Chinese Taipei, who scored 12.44. Saudi Arabia’s Yousef Fadhil trailed in third with 0.94 points.
Meanwhile, junior surfers Kayan Abdulla Areef (Kaiputty) and Yusuf Kayan Hamdan Zaki (Kai Zaki) both advanced to Round 2, placing third in their respective heats. Areef recorded 4.17 points in Heat 4, while Zaki delivered a much tighter performance in Heat 1, earning 11.10 points. In Zaki’s heat, Ming-Jang Liu of Chinese Taipei took the lead with 12.83 points, followed by Shulou Jiang of China with 12.10 points. These results highlight the competitiveness of the heats, with mere fractions separating the top contenders.
In the Men’s Open Category, seasoned Maldivian surfer Ahmed Agil (Ammadey) demonstrated his dominance by winning Heat 11 of Round 1, which secured his direct progression to Round 3. Agil’s strong form builds on his reputation as one of the Maldives’ most experienced competitive surfers.
Two other Maldivian surfers in the Open Men’s Category, Hood Ahmed (Hoobz) and Ismail Rasheed (Smiley) — also delivered noteworthy performances. Both surfers finished second in their heats, advancing to the second round and keeping their hopes alive for further progression in the tournament.
The Women’s Open Category has seen a particularly inspiring debut for Maldives, with three female surfers competing abroad together for the first time. Rishtha Shuja, Mariyam Rahil Naseem (Aaya), and Shaziya Saeed (Saazu) have all progressed to Round 2, showcasing growing female representation and capability in the Maldivian surfing scene.
The national team is under the guidance of Hussain Areef (Iboo), a highly respected figure in the surfing community and a former bronze medalist at two previous Asian Surfing Championships. His experience as both a competitor and coach has been instrumental in preparing the team for international standards of competition.
This year’s ASC not only serves as a platform for athletic achievement but also reflects the growing institutional support behind surfing in the Maldives. The Maldives Surfing Association (MSA) has been working in partnership with BML Islamic, the official sponsor of the national surfing team since 2022. The bank has provided critical financial and logistical support to the team, including for international competitions and youth development programs. Notably, BML Islamic also supports the National Junior Surfing Championship, an initiative that cultivates grassroots surfing talent across the islands.
The inclusion of a broader roster with a full junior squad and multiple female athletes — is a testament to the Maldives’ dedication to developing surfing as both a national sport and a potential driver of tourism branding. Surfing has long been associated with the Maldives’ pristine beaches and consistent swells, attracting thousands of surf tourists annually. The country’s representation at the ASC aligns well with its broader ambition to be recognized as a surf tourism destination not only for leisure but also for competitive sport.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will remain on these young athletes as they compete against some of Asia’s most formidable surfers. Their performance in Tamil Nadu is not just a reflection of personal talent, but also a promising indicator of the Maldives’ emerging footprint in the regional surfing arena.
Related Highlights:
-
Event: Asian Surfing Championship (ASC) 2025
-
Location: Tamil Nadu, India
-
Categories: Men’s Junior, Men’s Open, Women’s Open
-
Maldives Participants: Yasin Ahmed Nasheed, Kayan Abdulla Areef, Yusuf Kayan Hamdan Zaki, Ahmed Agil, Hood Ahmed, Ismail Rasheed, Rishtha Shuja, Mariyam Rahil Naseem, Shaziya Saeed
-
Coach: Hussain Areef (Iboo)
-
Sponsor: BML Islamic
advertisment
advertisment
