Visit Maldives Pro 2024 has begun announcing the athletes partaking in the Bodyboarding IBC World Tour - one of the biggest international sporting events held in Maldives.

This year's Visit Maldives Pro event is set to take place from August 1 -9 at Varunula Raalhugandu and will also feature some of the world's best bodyboarders. Last year, the Maldives successfully hosted world tour events in the Maldives.

The Visit Maldives Pro will feature 15 Maldivian athletes this time as well. Four international judges will judge the events, one of whom will be taken by the Maldives.

The first athlete announced by the association today is France's talented athlete Pierre-Louis Costes, who is currently ranked eighth in the World Tour Men's Rankings. He is a two-time world champion in the past. Last year's Visit Maldives, Maldives Pro 2023 men's division champion Pierre-Louis Costes was also the winner of the Areca Challenge.

The Visit Maldives Pro event has been a successful event so far. In the first year, Ali Khushruwan (Kuda Ayya) reached the quarterfinals in the drop knee category, Aamin Umar Moosa also reached the final in the junior category.

Last year's tournament turned out to be a historic tournament after Maldives Pro's David Hubbard confirmed the world title in the drop knee category.

Of this year's World Tour events, there are only three other events left in the Maldives, Portugal and Spain. According to the current points rankings, the Maldives event is expected to be stronger this time as well. Visit Maldives Pro's cash prize is worth USD 60,000.