Small Nation, Big Punch: Maldivian Muay Thai’s Historic Global Breakthrough

Maldivian Muay Thai has surged into international prominence following a historic run of achievements throughout 2025, marking what athletes and fans describe as a defining era for the nation’s combat sports scene. From breakthrough international medals to record-setting champions, Maldivian fighters have rapidly transformed the country from an emerging participant into a rising contender on the global Muay Thai and combat sports stage.

The momentum began in November 2024, when a Maldivian team made history at the WBC Muay Thai Sri Lanka Pro Event, securing an extraordinary nine silver medals in the country’s first participation at a high-level international Muay Thai platform. The milestone shifted perceptions of Maldivian combat sports and laid the foundation for the unprecedented successes that followed in 2025. Fighters Eelaf Nadeem, Dr. Raaid Ismail, Wisham Ali, Lamha Khalid, Mohamed Raid, Saifshaan Abdulla, Ahmed Shah, Fathimath Nauma Naseer and rising prodigy Danial Ahmed Zaki—who became the youngest Maldivian to compete in an international pro-amateur bout—etched their names into the nation’s sporting history.

In 2025, Maldivian athletes continued to dominate amateur divisions at WBC Muay Thai Sri Lanka events. Zayan Ibrahim Nazmy captured national attention after becoming the first Maldivian to win a bronze medal at that level. Competing with a dislocated shoulder, Zayan fought through pain until the final bell and secured victory by technical knockout, earning praise for his resilience and warrior spirit. In the women’s division, Fathimath Nauma Naseer claimed gold with a commanding performance against a Sri Lankan opponent, further strengthening Maldives’ reputation internationally. Adding a unique dimension to the event, two Sri Lankan athletes—Ahmed Aashiq and Shifny Mohamed—represented Team Maldives and both secured gold medals for the nation.

Success extended beyond Muay Thai into other combat sports arenas. In October 2025, Saifshaan Abdulla delivered another landmark victory at the Unleashed MMA Promotion in Sri Lanka, winning gold after defeating a Sri Lankan opponent with a display of elite technique and composure. The momentum carried into November, when Fathimath Nauma Naseer and Danial Ahmed Zaki made history by becoming the first Maldivians to claim K-1 rules kickboxing championships, securing two gold medals at CBJ Fight Night and broadening the country’s impact across multiple disciplines.

Much of this rapid rise has been credited to the Maldives Muay Thai Academy / Fight Soul Maldives and its head coach Mohamed Shanas, whose focus on youth development and international exposure has produced a new generation of disciplined and competitive fighters. Observers say the academy’s consistent training structure and commitment to high-level competition have elevated Maldivian combat sports to new heights while inspiring a growing grassroots following.

With momentum building and international recognition increasing, athletes and officials believe 2025 represents only the beginning of a larger movement. As fighters prepare for new competitions and training programs expand, expectations are high that 2026 will bring even greater achievements and further cement Maldives’ presence in the global combat sports arena. For many supporters, the recent successes signal not just a winning streak but the birth of a new sporting identity—one defined by resilience, ambition and a powerful fighting spirit.