Aishath Reesha

Aishath Reesha (born May 31, 1989) is a Maldivian track runner.^[1] She set national records for the Maldives and competed in the 800 metres at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.^[2]

Aishath Reesha

Personal information
Born	(1989-05-31) May 31, 1989 (age 36)
Medal record Women's athletics Representing the  Maldives South Asian U20 Championships 2007 Colombo 4 × 400 m relay

Career

Reesha won a bronze medal in the 4 × 400 m relay at the 2007 South Asian U20 Athletics Championships.^[3] At the 2007 1500 metres World Championships, Reesha finished 12th in her heat and did not advance.^[4] In March of the following year at the South Asian Athletics Championships, Reesha set the Maldivian record in the 4 × 400 m, running 4:35.43 seconds to place 4th.^[4]

Reesha was coached by Ahmed Faail, and had to train on a soft sand surface because she didn't have access to a synthetic running track. She said, "we can't compete with people from other worlds" and was hoping to run a personal best at the 2008 Olympics.^[5] She did improve upon her best, running a time of 2:30.14 to finish 7th in her Olympic heat.^[6] Reacting to her performance, she told reporters "I ran a personal best? Really? I am so happy". The Olympic running track was particularly hard on her feet because it differed from the sand she had trained on.^[7]

At the 2009 World Championships in the 800 m, Reesha ran another personal best of 2:28.00 minutes to finish 7th in her heat. The time was also a Maldivian record.^[4][8]