Maldives Complete Men’s and Women’s Badminton Doubles Fixtures at Aichi–Nagoya 2026
The Maldives badminton team continued its competition at the 20th Asian Games Aichi–Nagoya 2026, with the national men’s and women’s doubles pairs taking to the court against strong opposition from South Korea and Thailand.
In the men’s doubles, Hussein Zayan Shaheed Zaki and Nibal Ahmed represented the Maldives against South Korea’s Ki Dong Ju and Kang Min Hyuk at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium in Aichi. The South Korean pair established control early and secured the match in straight games, winning 21–3 and 21–6.
South Korea entered the contest as one of Asia’s leading badminton nations and maintained a high tempo throughout the match. Zayan and Nibal continued to compete for each point but were unable to disrupt the rhythm of their more experienced opponents.
The Maldives was also represented in the women’s doubles by Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq and Aminath Nabeeha Abdul Razzaq, who faced Thailand’s Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat and Nanthakarn Aimsard. The Thai pair claimed the match in straight games, recording victories of 21–9 and 21–6.
Attention will now turn to the singles competition, with three Maldivian players scheduled to compete in the Round of 32 on 27 September. Nibal Ahmed will face an opponent from Sri Lanka in the men’s singles, while Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq will meet a Singaporean player in the women’s singles. Aminath Nabeeha Abdul Razzaq, who advanced with a commanding opening-round victory, will face an opponent from Hong Kong, China.
