Male' Maldives: National Table Tennis Tournament concluded in thrilling fashion as Aistha Rafa Nazim and Mohamed Shaffan Ismail claimed the singles crowns, each lifting the national title for the third time in their careers.
Rafa ended a long wait for glory against her arch-rival Fathimath Dheema Ali, defeating her in straight sets to clinch the women’s singles title. Having lost five previous finals against Dheema, Rafa produced a determined and composed performance, showcasing sharp attacking play and mental resilience at crucial points.
Final Score (Women’s Singles):
Rafa 11–9 Dheema
Rafa 11–9 Dheema
Rafa 11–6 Dheema
Rafa 15–13 Dheema
On the men’s side, Shaffan delivered a brilliant display to overcome Moosa Munsif, the 11-time national champion, in a five-set thriller. Known for his tactical precision and powerful forehand, Shaffan outlasted Munsif in a pulsating contest, sealing his victory in extra points of the decisive set.
Final Score (Men’s Singles):
Munsif 13–11 Shaffan
Shaffan 11–7 Munsif
Shaffan 13–11 Munsif
Shaffan 11–8 Munsif
Shaffan 18–16 Munsif
Beyond the singles, both champions also made their mark in doubles events. Shaffan partnered with Ibrahim Auzam Azeem to win men’s doubles gold and secured silver in mixed doubles alongside Dheema. Rafa claimed gold in mixed doubles with Munsif, while she and Minha Mahjoob Sujau took silver in women’s doubles.
Rafa, currently pursuing her MBBS in the United Kingdom, continues to balance her studies with an impressive table tennis career, while Shaffan marked a triumphant return after missing last year’s nationals through injury.
Their victories not only underline their dominance in the national scene but also reflect the growing standards of Maldivian table tennis. Both Rafa and Shaffan now set their sights on upcoming regional and international competitions, where they aim to represent the Maldives with pride.
