Thulusdhoo, Maldives (August 22): Maldives has secured a women's surfing spot for the 2026 Asian Games following the results of yesterday's heats in the women's category of the Asian Surfing Championship 2024.
Maldivian women surfers Mariyam Rahil Naseem (Aaya) and Shaziya Saeed (Shaazu) are participating in the ongoing Asian Surfing Championship at Thulusdhoo.
Shaazu was eliminated in Round Two, while Aaya competed in Round Three, finishing in third place in Heat One, which was not enough to advance to the quarter-finals.
However, Aaya's performance and result surpassed those of surfers from other South Asian countries (India and Sri Lanka), leading to Maldives being ranked highest in the region.
This achievement earns a Maldivian woman surfer a historic spot in the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, marking the first time surfing will be included in the Asian Games.
The Maldives Surfing Association (MSA) will determine which surfer will fill that spot, as there is a specific timeframe for the decision.
