Dhiraagu Malé Open 2025 Makes Waves in National Swimming Scene

The Dhiraagu Malé Open Swimming Competition 2025 concluded successfully on Saturday, 24 May, reinforcing its status as the Maldives’ largest and most inclusive open water swimming event. This year, the event welcomed over 350 swimmers from across the country, with more than 340 participants completing the swim.

Organised by Swim Maldives, the annual competition is designed to promote open water swimming and highlight the importance of protecting the Maldives' marine environment. It brought together swimmers of all backgrounds, aged between 5 and 65, creating a unique and inspiring atmosphere for athletes and spectators alike.

A highlight of this year’s event was the participation of 13 athletes from the National Special Olympic Swimming Squad and one swimmer from the Paralympic Swimming Team. Their involvement added a powerful message of inclusion, determination, and resilience to the competition.
Adding to the significance of the event, world-renowned open water swimmer Adam Walker made a special appearance. He interacted with participants, shared experiences from his swimming journey, and offered encouragement to those pursuing a future in the sport. His visit was especially meaningful for younger swimmers, many of whom looked up to him as a role model.

The competition featured two main race categories tailored to different experience levels. The 1KM competitive swim followed a 500-metre out-and-back route along the Malé seawall. A separate 250M non-competitive swim was designed for children under 10 and new open water swimmers, offering a safe and welcoming introduction to the sport.
Participants were grouped by age, and winners were recognised across multiple categories. Below are the top finishers from each group.

10–12 years
Boys
1st – Ibrahim Yuaan Shameem (18:07:11)
2nd – Mikael Lael Abdul Aleem (20:24:98)
3rd – Nouman Mohamed Naseef (20:25:88)
Girls
1st – Mariyam Ayra Shirneel (18:43:88)
2nd – Ayesha Zayah Hussain (21:25:23)
3rd – Ashya Eiliyah Naxim (23:00:10)

13–14 years
Boys
1st – Ismail Haam Hussain (17:19:50)
2nd – Mohamed Alyan Shifan (17:20:89)
3rd – Ibrahim Judh Hussain (17:22:83)
Girls
1st – Alya Ashraf (18:59:53)
2nd – Mariyam Mysam Niyaz (19:06:52)
3rd – Dalia A'ida Latheef (20:29:87)

15–19 years
Boys
1st – Ifzaal Ibrahim Mahfooz (15:22:72)
2nd – Looth Mohamed Hussain (15:29:17)
3rd – Yoosuf Ziyaan Zahid (15:37:33)
Girls
1st – Ayaana Areef (17:19:83)
2nd – Aishath Aleena Shahid (17:21:32)
3rd – Lyba Hassan Manik (17:30:97)

20–29 years Male
1st – Mubal Azzam Ibrahim (15:18:44)
2nd – Ahmed Shaavee Rafiu (22:25:25)

30–39 years Male
1st – Mohamed Amir (20:36:55)
2nd – Minvaal Ibrahim (23:05:97)
3rd – Abdulla Abdul Raheem (24:41:58)

40–49 years Male
1st – Adam Areef (22:27:73)
2nd – Hussain Ilham (23:09:60)
3rd – Ahmed Firass Afeef (23:13:49)

50+ years Male
1st – Hussain Riyaz (26:51:69)
2nd – Abdul Shukoor (27:11:28)
3rd – Ahmed Niyaz (29:46:44)

Overall Male Winners
1st – Mubal Azzam Ibrahim
2nd – Ifzaal Ibrahim Mahfooz
3rd – Looth Mohamed Hussain
Overall Female Winners

1st – Ayaana Areef
2nd – Aishath Aleena Shahid
3rd – Lyba Hassan Manik

The event was officially covered by Public Service Media, ensuring national exposure and community engagement. As title sponsor, Dhiraagu reaffirmed its dedication to supporting initiatives that inspire healthy living, bring communities together, and contribute to positive change across the Maldives.