n a thrilling showcase of skill and determination, 16-year-old Eyan Ahmed has emerged victorious in the National Bandufilaa Challenge, securing his place among Maldives’ elite bodyboarders. The finals, held at the iconic Varunulaa Raalhugandu area, saw Eyan edge out reigning champion Ali Javid (Jaatte) with a score of 10.33 to 7.83, clinching the men’s open category title.
Eyan’s journey to the top was marked by a semifinal faceoff against Aamin Umar Moosa, where he scored an impressive 12.82 points. Jaatte, on the other hand, battled past Maldivian bodyboarding legend Ali Kushruvaan Ahmed (Kuda Ayya) in a nail-biting heat to reach the finals.
While Kuda Ayya missed out on the open category title, he reaffirmed his dominance in the drop knee category, scoring 12.34 points in the final against Aamin Umar Moosa.
Eyan also competed in the junior category but narrowly missed the title to Mohamed Azan Ahmed, the national league’s junior champion, in a tightly contested heat.
The event also celebrated Ibrahim Shimaan, who claimed the masters category title after defeating Ahmed Afnan, adding another layer of excitement to the competition.
This year’s National Bandufilaa Challenge highlighted the depth of talent in Maldivian bodyboarding, showcasing a new generation of athletes ready to take the sport to greater heights. With Eyan Ahmed leading the charge, the future of Maldivian bodyboarding looks brighter than ever.
