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NIYAMA Maldives conducts Muay Thai boot-camp with world champion Saiful Merican

Maldives Promotion House – Per AQUUM’s latest guest experience, the Residents@NIYAMA programme kicks off with a 10-day Muay Thai bootcamp by Saiful Merican, World Muay Thai Association’s (WMA) world number one 57kg featherweight champion. From March 9th – 18th, 2013, Saiful and Owner/ Trainer of Merican Muay Thai, Dzianti Merican will be conducting a 10-day, one-on-one and group session bootcamp at Active. With highly trained fitness instructors and leisure managers on board, Active is your one-stop, go-to playground at NIYAMA.
A form of martial arts originating from Thailand, Muay Thai uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques and is known as the ‘art of eight weapons’ because of its characteristic combined use of fists, elbows, knees, shins and feet. With 125 pro-Muay Thai fights under his belt today, Saiful says his inspiration is Muay Thai legend, Samart Payakaroon. “Muay Thai is not only a self defense sport, it helps you stay focused and disciplined, it helps you lose weight and keeps you fit. You lose 1,500 calories at every one hour intensive workout! It is a sport for all genders and age group, even kids”, says Saiful. Research shows the increase in speed, agility, strength and cardiovascular endurance of a regular Muay Thai practitioner. Women will be interested to know that Muay Thai also releases toxins and waste from the body resulting in better and glowing complexions.
Dzianti Merican, Founder and Trainer at Merican Muay Thai and also Saiful’s other half, has been training Muay Thai for eleven years and is living out her life-long passion. “Muay Thai is not only my daily fitness regime; it thought me self discipline, self empowerment and self respect,” says Dzianti. She has put together a 10-day Fighter’s Diet that will be available daily at Epicure for breakfast. To stay lean and toned, Dzianti recommends half boiled eggs, wholemeal toast, fruit smoothies with low fat milk and oats.
The 10-day Muay Thai Bootcamp at Active:
One-On-One Private Sessions US$75++
Duration: One hour
One round: 3 minutes, 1 minute break
- Stretching – 5 minutes
- Warm-up (Skipping/ Jumping Jacks) – 2 rounds
- Shadow Boxing (Basic Muay Thai Techniques) – 3 rounds
- Padwork – 3 rounds
- Speed Punches and Speed Kicks – 5 minutes
- Light Weight Training – 5 minutes
- Sit-Ups/ Push-Ups – 5 minutes
- Stretching (Cool Down) – 5 minutes
Group Sessions (Complimentary)
Duration: 1 hour
- Warm-up (Light Jog/ Skipping) – 5 minutes
- Stretching – 5 minutes
- Punch/ Elbow Combinations (Tae Bo Style) – 10 minutes
- Kick/ Knee Combinations (Tae Bo Style) – 10 minutes
- Muay Thai Techniques (Guests’ Pair Up) – 15 minutes
- Strength and Conditioning Exercises – 10 minutes
- Stretching (Cool Down) – 5 minutes
*Muay Thai is also suited for kids ages 5 and up.
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Ifuru Island Maldives takes part in Burunu Boma sport fishing tournament

Ifuru Island Maldives has announced its participation in the inaugural Burunu Boma Sport Fishing Tournament, taking place from 2 to 4 May 2025. Organized by the Visit Maldives Club (VMC), this premier event aims to position the Maldives as a leading destination for sustainable sport fishing.
As one of the select resorts competing in this prestigious tournament, Team Ifuru Maldives will showcase its commitment to marine conservation and responsible tourism. The competition emphasizes “catch and release” practices, aligning with global efforts to preserve marine biodiversity.
Participants will target species such as marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, swordfish, and bigeye tuna, with a grand prize of USD 25,000 awarded to the top-performing team. The event also features live entertainment and a festive atmosphere, celebrating the Maldives’ rich fishing heritage.
“We are thrilled to be part of Burunu Boma and to represent Ifuru Island Maldives in this landmark event,” said Marcel Sawyer, General Manager at Ifuru Island Maldives. “Our participation underscores our dedication to sustainable practices and our passion for the ocean that surrounds us.”
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Sirru Fen Fushi to host ‘One Ocean, One Breath’ with Freedive Maldives to mark World Oceans Day

Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort, invites ocean lovers and adventure seekers to a purposeful World Oceans Day celebration in partnership with Freedive Maldives, Guinness World Record Holder for the Most People Performing Static Apnea held last October 2022.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of one of the largest natural lagoons and house reefs in the Maldives, the event promises a deep connection to the ocean through expert-led PADI Freediving courses, ranging from basic to advanced levels. Participants will have the opportunity to earn their freediving certification, explore Sirru’s 9-kilometer-long house reef, and admire vibrant marine biodiversity, including manta ray cleaning stations, nurse shark points, flourishing coral gardens, and turtle habitats, home to 93 resident turtles and 11 successful hatchings this year alone.
“Our house reef, one of the longest and most vibrant in the Maldives, is a sanctuary for marine life and a symbol of our deep commitment to ocean conservation,” said Lukasz Prendke, General Manager of Sirru Fen Fushi. “We are honoured to collaborate with Freedive Maldives in celebrating World Oceans Day, not only to offer our guests an unforgettable underwater journey, but also to empower local talents and inspire our community to protect what lies beneath the surface.”
The initiative aligns with the resort’s ongoing sustainability commitments, including regular lagoon cleaning programs and support for local marine conservation efforts. This collaboration further emphasizes a shared mission to preserve the Maldives’ rich underwater heritage and engage the local community in meaningful environmental action.
In a broader commitment to sustainable tourism, Freedive Maldives has also signed a partnership agreement with the Baa Atoll Council to host another record-breaking freediving event in October 2025, coinciding with World Tourism Day, reinforcing Baa Atoll’s position as a leader in eco-conscious marine tourism.
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Napoli back on top of Serie A as De Laurentiis celebrates in Maldives

Aurelio De Laurentiis, owner and chairman of SSC Napoli and one of Italy’s leading film producers, is celebrating his club’s return to the top of Serie A while holidaying in the Maldives.
Napoli secured a crucial 2–0 victory over Torino in the 34th round of the league, taking full advantage of Inter Milan’s 1–0 loss to Roma. With the win, Napoli now lead the table with 74 points, three points clear of Inter, with four matches remaining in the season.
Many had expected De Laurentiis to be present at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for such a pivotal match. However, according to Italian media reports, he remained in the Maldives. After the match, the Napoli president posted a message from afar, encouraging his team to stay composed during the decisive final stretch of the season: “Cool heads. Calm and steady. Forza Napoli Sempre!”
The radio station Kiss Kiss Napoli suggested that De Laurentiis’ decision to stay in the Maldives, distant from Italy, reflects his strategy of giving space to the team and coaching staff while firmly maintaining control over the club’s direction.
Following Napoli’s historic league triumph in 2023, their first in over three decades, the club endured a turbulent season marked by coaching changes and management instability. Many attributed last season’s struggles to the lack of continuity.
Determined to rebuild, De Laurentiis appointed Antonio Conte, a proven winner, as head coach ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, a move that is already delivering results.
As the race for the Scudetto intensifies, Napoli’s dream of winning a second title in three years remains very much alive, with De Laurentiis steering the course even from thousands of miles away.
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