In a resounding victory, the Maldives’ national women’s Table Tennis (TT) team emerged triumphant against Mauritius in the finals of the Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG), securing their gold medal and successfully defending their title from four years ago. The high-stakes final clash took place in Madagascar, marking a historic achievement for the Maldivian team.
Displaying exceptional prowess, the Maldives’ women’s TT team clinched a decisive 3-1 victory over Mauritius across four intense matches. Fathimath Dheema Ali, a standout performer, sealed her contribution with two singles victories, setting the tone for the team’s victory. The talented Aishath Rafa Nazim, another rising star, followed suit, contributing a pivotal win to the Maldives’ triumph.
While Mauritius managed to secure one victory in the match, with a scoreline of 3-1 against Laisa Fathuhullah Ismail, the Maldives maintained their winning momentum. Rafa’s commanding performance in the first singles match of the finals set the tone with a 3-0 win. Dheema rallied back after a slight setback in the opening game to secure a 3-1 win against her Mauritian counterpart.
The third singles match saw a dominant showcase from Dheema, securing an effortless 3-0 victory, solidifying the Maldives’ claim to the gold medal. This victory etched the Maldivian women’s TT team in history as the first national team from the Maldives to defend a gold medal in an international tournament, showcasing their unwavering dedication and remarkable skills.
With the individual matches on the horizon, expectations remain high for the Maldivian women’s national TT team. Fathimath Dheema Ali’s individual brilliance shone, earning her the coveted gold medal in the singles tournament in Mauritius. In a display of remarkable teamwork, Dheema and Rafa triumphed once again, securing the women’s doubles gold medal, underlining the Maldives’ dominance in this year’s games.
