The third annual Kim Burns Memorial Pickleball Tournament came to a spectacular conclusion under the lights at the W.E.R. Joell Tennis Stadium, with a glittering night of finals capping off an emotional and highly competitive week of action.
Held in celebration of the life and legacy of one of Bermuda’s most beloved ambassadors for the sport, the tournament's final night delivered a masterclass in paddle skill, tactical grit, and community spirit. When the dust settled on the courts, a new class of double-gold champions and division winners stood tall.
The premier open divisions generated immense drama, with several of the island's elite players pulling off magnificent multi-medal hauls.
In the high-stakes 4.5 Mixed Doubles Open final, the clinical tandem of Jasper Thomas and Lily Hallett showcased exceptional chemistry to capture the gold medal, leaving Melisa Judd and Ben Jones to settle for a hard-fought silver. Gavin Manders and Patricia Mills completed the podium to take home the bronze.
Thomas and Hallett would both find themselves back on the podium later in the evening. Melisa Judd teamed up with Patricia Mills in the 4.0 Women's Doubles Open to storm to a gold medal finish, pinning the silver onto Naphisa Smith and Hallett’s mixed-doubles partner, Lily Hallett. Rachel Sawden and Lucy Yiasoumi secured a well-deserved bronze.
Meanwhile, Ben Jones bounced back from his mixed doubles heartbreak to claim gold in the 4.5 Men's Doubles Open alongside Gavin Manders, outlasting the formidable duo of Jasper Thomas and Tom Mills.
The 4.0 Mixed Doubles Open saw Naphisa Smith and Rian Michelsen deliver a flawless performance to climb the top step of the podium for gold. They defeated Lucy Yiasoumi and Johnny Singleton in a heavy-hitting final, while Marie-Helene Pare and Ryan Hayward captured the bronze.
In the 4.0 Men's Doubles Open, Aman Sanganeria and Nicolas van der Westhuizen orchestrated a brilliant run to lock down the gold medal, fighting past Rian Michelsen and Neils van der Velden in the final. Xavier James Oly and Scott Redmond rounded out the top three with bronze.
The 3.5 Mixed Doubles Open crown went to the clinical pairing of Julie Matthews-Borchardt and Aman Sanganeria, who defeated Edgar Griffith and Fiona Donaldson to seal gold. Theodosios Caimassidis and Pearl Ingram took home the bronze.
The Masters divisions proved to be just as intensely contested, featuring subtle kitchen play and veteran composure from the island’s seasoned competitors.
Duane Simons and Wenda Roberts took top honors in the 4.0 Mixed Doubles 50+ division, turning back a fierce challenge from Emma Simmons and Vincent Chaves to claim the gold medal. Jose Barroso and Christine Todd put on a resilient display to win the bronze-medal match.
Simmons would not have to wait long for her golden moment, however, as she linked up with Leslie Jackson in the 4.0 Women's Doubles 50+ division to capture a dominant gold medal. Val Stevenson and Tori Powell fought their way to silver, while Wenda Roberts and Marie-Helene Pare added a bronze to their respective tournament tallies.
The 4.0 Men's Doubles 50+ division reached an explosive climax as Ryon Outerbridge and Muhammad Khan combined brilliantly to capture the gold medal. They bested Vincent Chaves and Jose Barroso in a tactical final, while Michael Burns and Buggy Powell finished their campaign on a high note by securing the bronze medal.
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