Dhiraagu Malé Open 2026 honours top swimmers after record turnout
The Dhiraagu Malé Open 2026 celebrated the top swimmers of this year’s competition at a special award ceremony. This year, the competition brought together over 420 swimmers, making it the largest open water swimming event held in Malé.
Organised by Swim Maldives, the event continues to provide an important platform to promote open water swimming, encourage greater participation in the sport and raise awareness about protecting the Maldives’ marine environment.
Participants competed across 1km, 500m and 250m race categories, with swimmers ranging from 6 to 79 years old. The competition also introduced the 500m Team Relay this year, creating an opportunity for friends, families and swimming clubs to race together and share the experience as a team.
The winners of the Dhiraagu Malé Open 2026 were recognised as follows:
Overall Awards:
- Top Female Athlete: Ayesha Zayah Hussain
- Top Male Athlete: Ibrahim Yuaan Shameem
- Top Swimming Club: Maldives Lifeguard Association (MLA)
1km Category:
- Female First Place: Meral Ayn Latheef
- Female Second Place: Alya Ashraf
- Female Third Place: Aishath Aleena Shahid
- Male First Place: Ibrahim Yuaan Shameem
- Male Second Place: Yoosuf Ziyaan Zahid
- Male Third Place: Izyan Naziz
500m Category:
- Female First Place: Ayesha Zayah Hussain
- Female Second Place: Fathimah Layya’h Shahid
- Female Third Place: Aishath Aishka Sameer
- Male First Place: Ibrahim Yuaan Shameem
- Male Second Place: Mohamed Aran Shameem
- Male Third Place: Nouman Mohamed Naseef
This year’s competition was also a clear reflection of the growing open water swimming community in the Maldives. With participation increasing from 350 swimmers last year to over 420 this year, the event brought together young, emerging and experienced swimmers in a shared celebration of the sport.
Dhiraagu remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles, strengthen community engagement and create meaningful opportunities for people across the Maldives to participate in sports and recreational activities.
