Fathimath Nabaha (Naba) has written a new chapter in Maldivian badminton after becoming the first player from the Maldives to reach the Round of 32 at the Badminton Asia Championship, currently underway in China.

Competing in the women’s singles event, Naba delivered two commanding victories in the group stage to advance with a perfect record, marking a historic achievement for both Maldivian badminton and Revival Sports.

She opened her campaign with a straight-games victory over Bangladesh’s top player, Urmi Akter, winning 21-7, 21-17 in a composed performance that highlighted her control and attacking precision.

Naba followed that with an even more dominant display against Kyrgyzstan’s high rank player, Zhasmin Aisarova, sealing a 21-5, 21-6 victory to top her group and secure qualification to the knockout stage.

Her progression to the Round of 32 is regarded as a landmark moment, making her the first Maldivian badminton player to reach that stage of the continental championship while maintaining an unbeaten group-stage record.

Naba now faces the biggest challenge of her career, with a Round of 32 meeting scheduled against Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi, currently ranked world number four.

Yamaguchi arrives as one of the most accomplished players in international badminton, having won multiple global titles, including world championships in 2021, 2022 and 2025. She is also a former Asian champion, having secured the continental crown in 2019, and won gold at the 2018 Asian Games.

Naba is one of three Revival Sports athletes competing at the championship alongside Zayan Zaki and Aminath Nabeeha (Naby).

The Maldivian team is participating across four events, men’s singles, women’s singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

Zayan is competing in men’s singles and mixed doubles, while Naba is also involved in women’s doubles and mixed doubles. In women’s doubles, Naba partners Naby, while in mixed doubles she teams up with Zayan.

Revival Sports coach Nashfan Mohamed is accompanying the squad in China as the club continues its push to expose Maldivian players to higher-level international competition.

Naba’s breakthrough performance now places her against one of the sport’s elite names, offering a rare opportunity to test herself against world-class opposition on one of Asia’s biggest badminton stages.