The National Surfing Championship has concluded, and Hoodh Ahmed from Gdh.Gahdhoo is the champion of the most heated event, Shortboarding.

This event that was taken place at the Raalhugandu area was named Sea Sports Rannamaari Challenge this time. The closing ceremony of this tournament was commemorated by Maldives’ president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Youth Minister Ahmed Mahloof. Some higher-ups from the Maldives Olympics Committee were there as well to celebrate the occasion.

Hoodh was the runner-up of the latest National Championship as well. This year’s champion trophy and 15,000/- was given to Hoodh by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Hoodh dedicated this achievement to his son Zehek who turned 1 year old yesterday. He said that it was a gift for his son.

Second place in Men’s Shortboarding category was won by Ahmed Agil. He had got 10,000/- as prize money. Gdh.Gahdhoo’s Najaah Ahmed had won the bronze medal in this category. He had also gotten a prize money of 7000/-.

For the first time in Maldives, a Women’s category was held this year as well. Aya Naseem had won the women’s championship. She received her champions trophy and 15,000/- prize money yesterday at the closing ceremony. Second place Shaziya Saeed (Shaz) and third place Nahaa Nasrullah had both been awarded medals and prize money.

In the Junior category, the gold medal was won by Dh.Kudahuvadhoo’s Ahmed Ameel. He had gotten a prize money of 7500/-. Ayaan Noora’dheen who won the silver medal got a prize money of 5000/-. Third place Kayaan Abdullah Areef was given a prize money of 3000/-.

Masters Division, which was held for the first time was won by Ibrahim Areef (Ibu). He was given a 7000/- prize money. This category’s silver medal was achieved by R.Rasmaadhoo’s Hassan Areef (Kairey) and he was given a prize money of 5000/-. Third place Abdul Gafoor Ali (Gabbe) was given 3000/- as prize money.

SUP Division’s champion was Mohamed Muaaz. He got a prize money of 7000/-. Second place Mohamed Thollam got 5000/-. Abdullah Areef (Fuku) who got bronze medal received a prize money of 3000/-.

The all-new popular Longboard Division was won by Ismail Miglal (Kuda Isse). Kuda Isse was given a gold medal and 5000/- prize money. Fuku who got silver medal received a prize money of 3000/-. Abdullah Latheef (Shadow) won the bronze medal and 2000/- as prize money.

Teams formed from 14 islands had participated in this year’s National Surfing Championship. A total of 102 surfers from 25 islands had participated in this year’s championship.

This year, team winners were decided for the first time as well. First place was won by Male’ team. They earned a total of 8130 points. Gdh.Gahdhoo team came in second place with 3190 points. Bronze medal was won by R.Rasmaadhoo team with 2930 points. Maldives Surfing Association decided that team event’s medals would be given to the top 10 people who scored the most points.

After looking at this year’s championship rankings, players were selected for Junior and Senior National teams. The players of Junior National team are Mohamed Zayan, Kayaan Abdullah Areef, Ahmed Ameel, Sayyidh Salaahuddhin, and Yoosuf Kayaan Hamdhaan Zaki. Senior National team’s players are Ismail Rasheed, Hoodh Ahmed, Ahmed Agil, and Najaah Ahmed.