Sidibari
The first edition of the Dhiraagu Maldives Junior Open tournament had crowned the winners of its 30 events in Saturday night’s closing ceremony.
The international open badminton tournament organized by The Badminton Club Maldives has been applauded for its inclusion of not only a wide range of age groups but also a SO and para category for the disabled players. The special-needs kids received a special trophy and medal of encouragement for participating in the tournament.
The champions received their trophies and gold medals from the chief guest, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Men’s and Women’s Open
Singles finalists in both the men’s open and the women’s open were players of Revival Sports. Nibal Mohamed defeated Zayan Zaki by 21-19, 21-13 in the Men’s Singles finals, while Aminath Nabeeha won the Women’s Singles final against the top-seed Nabaha; the latter retired after the first set (10-4).
Nabaha and Nabeeha were crowned champions of Women’s Doubles after their victory of 21-6, 21-10 over a Filipina pair, Mareykris Misty Acuhido and Roselyn Cayaon Waheed.
The Men’s Double also featured a Philippines player in the final – Kyle Adriel Basilio paired with former Maldives number one Mohamed Ajfan Rasheed. Kyle and Ajfan ended up with silver medal as Ahmed Thoif and Riaz Mohammed from Bangladesh took home the Men’s Doubles gold.
U19
The U19 Girls’ Singles champion was Aishath Zoya Hussain. Silver medal went to Yasna Athoof. Zoya and Yasna also won gold medal in the U19 Girls’ Doubles.
Mukkesh Yadavar from India won the U19 Boys’ draw, after a closely-fought final game of two sets against local player Adam Maheen Mohamed. Maheen also made it to the final of doubles alongside Ayaan Bin Mohamed Salah, but lost to Mukkesh’s pair.
U17
Kiyaan Adil Mohamed’s convincing victory follows her recent selection for the Maldives national badminton team, as she won the U17 girls’ gold medal, defeating Aishath Yooha Ahmed in the final. Kiyaan won the first set through deuce play of 24-22 and the second set with 21-14. Despite settling for silver in the singles, Yooha won gold medal in the U17 doubles draw, alongside her duo Aminath Amna Ali Amir.
The boys’ doubles draw in this age category saw an all-foreign final, with Indian duo Ananya Deshmukh and Shaurya Mhapankar taking the gold. Ananya also won singles gold, having defeated Abdulla Nawhaan in the final.
U15
The boys’ singles title of the U15 age category went to an Indian shuttler as well. Varshil Patel won the final against Iyaan Ahmed Mamdhooh. But Iyaan won the doubles final with his partner Ayaan Ahmed Nadheem.
The U15 girls’ draw winner is another rising star in the badminton court; Yalvee Hussain Zuhury. Yalvee lived up to the expectations as the top-seed of the 15-and-under category, grabbing both the singles and the doubles gold medals. Her final win in the singles was a strong 21-12, and 21-10.
Yalvee won the doubles gold medal alongside Laiba Ahmed Mahloof, defeating Naureen Mohamed and Azka Rilwan by 21-8, 21-15 in the final.
U13
Laiba had played one above her age category in the doubles, winning gold with Yalvee. But she had to settle for silver in the U13 singles, having beaten by top-seeded Sri Lankan player Risindi Amugoda Arachchi.
Vihan Deshmukh took the title in the boys’ singles draw, and Maeesh Mohamed won silver. The number one doubles-pair in the U13 category were two Maldivians; Zaul Bin Ahmed Mumthaz and Mirusaal Hussain Miruza.
U11
Girls’ Singles Champion – Meefa Binth Moosa
Girls’ Singles Runner-Up – Rashi Javir
Boys’ Singles Champions – Adityaraj Javir (IND)
Boys’ Singles Runner-Up: Izz Al Din (IND)
Girls; Doubles Champion – Aisha Hajar Hanis Moosa and Meefa Binth Moosa
Girls’ Doubles Runner-Up – Erum Abdul Matheen and Aishath Sienna Mohamed Saeed
Boys’ Doubles Champion – Yoosuf Alaf and Thilaal Ibrahim Waheed
Boys’ Doubles Runner-Up – Shiyaal Yahuya Ahmed and Aakin Asad Ali
U9
Girls’ Singles Champion – Mariyam Mia Mamdhoon
Girls’ Double Runner-Up – Kaira Wasiu
Boys’ Singles Champions – Lais Bin Hamid
Boys’ Singles Runner-Up – Easa Laith Bin Aflaam
Para Men’s Singles
Champion – Mohamed Ali (Ozil)
Runner-Up – Abdul Latheef Mohamed
Special Boys’ Singles
Champion – Ibrahim Rabeeth
Runner-Up – Mohamed Shujau Ismail
Special Girls’ Singles
Champion – Aishath Fauza Ibrahim
Runner-Up – Amnaa Ahmed Abdulla
