Maldives Make Asian Games History with Mixed Doubles Comeback
The Maldives secured a historic place in the mixed doubles round of 16 at the 20th Asian Games Aichi–Nagoya 2026, as Moosa Munsif Ahmed and Aishath Rafaa Nazim recovered from two games down to defeat Mongolia 3–2.
Facing Bilguun Ankbayar and Ankhmaa Ser-Od, the Maldivian pair conceded the opening two games 11–7 and 11–5. With Mongolia one game away from victory, Munsif and Rafaa responded with a determined comeback.
The pair claimed the third game 11–9 before producing another composed finish to take the fourth by the same score, levelling the match at two games apiece. They maintained their momentum in the deciding fifth game, securing a third consecutive 11–9 victory to complete the turnaround.
The result marks the first time a Maldivian mixed doubles pair has progressed to the round of 16 in table tennis at the Asian Games.
Munsif and Rafaa will next face India’s Manush Shah and Diya Chitale, with the round-of-16 match scheduled to begin at 9:45 a.m. Maldives time.
