Maldivian Fighters Strike Gold in Sri Lanka, Making Kickboxing History

Maldivian combat sports etched a new chapter in its history on November 1 as two national athletes clinched gold medals at a major international kickboxing event in Sri Lanka, marking the first time Maldivians have achieved double gold under professional K-1 rules outside the country.

The milestone victory came at Fight Night 4 Combat by Jesh, held at Colombo’s Royal MAS Arena, where Fathimath Nauma Naseer dominated the women’s 58kg division and Danial Ahmed Zaki emerged victorious in the men’s 57kg category. Their performances against seasoned international opponents secured the Maldives its first-ever dual gold finish at an overseas K-1 kickboxing championship.

The achievement underscores the rapid progress of Maldivian kickboxing on the international stage, with both fighters displaying high levels of technical precision, discipline, and resilience throughout their bouts. Observers hailed the wins as a testament to the growing competitiveness of Maldivian athletes in professional combat sports.

Nauma’s victory carried added significance, as she is already a World Boxing Council (WBC) Sri Lanka Muay Thai Amateur gold medalist in the 57kg division. Her continued success cements her status as a trailblazer, widely regarded as the first Maldivian female athlete to attain such high-level international recognition in combat sports, setting a powerful precedent for women in the discipline.

Officials, coaches, and supporters praised the athletes’ dedication, noting that the historic achievement reflects years of structured training, consistent discipline, and expanding opportunities for Maldivian fighters to compete beyond national borders. Both athletes trained under Coach Shan at the Maldives Muay Thai Academy, whose leadership and technical guidance were credited as instrumental in the double-gold success.

The victories are being celebrated as a defining moment for Maldivian kickboxing, inspiring a new generation of fighters and reinforcing the country’s growing presence in international combat sports arenas.