Revival Sports High Performance Team star Nibal Ahmed has been crowned Men’s Singles Champion at the Dhiraagu Maldives Junior Open, defeating teammate Zayan Zaki in a thrilling all-Revival final.

The match lived up to expectations, with both players showcasing quality and determination. Nibal edged the opening set 21-19 after a tense battle before stepping up his game in the second. Despite Zayan’s resistance, Nibal maintained control to close out the set 21-13, sealing victory in straight games.

The result adds another highlight to Nibal’s growing career and renews his rivalry with Zayan. The pair have now met in three major finals: Nibal triumphed at the 2022 National Badminton Tournament, while Zayan gained revenge in the 2023 National Championship. More recently, Zayan had beaten Nibal to clinch the Naifaru Open Singles title.

Nibal’s path to the final was far from easy. In the quarter-finals, he produced a comeback against Philippines’ Kyle Adriel Basilio, ranked No. 4. After losing the opening set 16-21, Nibal responded with grit and composure, winning the next two 21-17, 21-18 to advance.

Two Revival players, Haisham Ibrahim Ali and Hassan Zayan Mohamed lost the semi-final but both were awarded bronze.

Meanwhile, the pairing of Nibal and Zayan fell short in the Men’s Doubles group stage, losing to the duo of Kyle Basilio and Former Maldives Champion, Mohamed Ajfan Rasheed.

Overall, it was a tournament to celebrate for the Revival Sports High Performance Team and Academy, who secured medals across both main draw and age-group categories, underlining their growing dominance in Maldivian badminton