DeSilva-Andrade Battles for Bronze at Poznan World Challenger
IslandStats.com
Paralympian and current Female Athlete of the Year, Bermuda's Boccia star Yushae DeSilva-Andrade, has continued her impressive run at the Poznan 2025 World Boccia Challenger in Poland. After a dominant performance in the group stages, she will now compete for a bronze medal.
Competing in the BC1 women’s division, DeSilva-Andrade went into her final Group A match against Poland's Kinga Koza with an undefeated record, and she maintained that perfect streak. In a strong showing, DeSilva-Andrade defeated Koza 5-1, solidifying her top position in Pool A.
Her excellent group stage performance earned her a spot in the Semi-Finals, where she faced Desirée Segarra from Spain. In a tightly contested match that went down to the wire, DeSilva-Andrade was edged out by a narrow 3-2 margin.
Despite the semi-final defeat, DeSilva-Andrade's tournament is not over. She is now set to face Dora Basic from Croatia in the bronze medal match, where she will be aiming to add another international medal to her impressive collection. Her consistent high-level play throughout the event underscores her status as one of the world's leading BC1 athletes.
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Major Dilemma for Bermuda with Overlapping 2026 Games
IslandStats.com
Bermuda's athletes, National Sports Governing Bodies, and the Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) are grappling with a significant scheduling conundrum for 2026, as two major multi-sport events are set to overlap on different continents. The Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games and the Commonwealth Games are both scheduled to take place concurrently next summer, presenting a unique challenge for the island's sporting contingent.
This overlap poses a particular dilemma for most National Olympic Committees in the Caribbean, which also function as Commonwealth Games Associations. These bodies now face the unenviable task of deciding how to commit resources and athletes to either one, or potentially both, of these high-profile competitions.
The Central American and Caribbean Games, set to run from July 24 to August 8, 2026, carry special significance. This edition marks the 100th anniversary of the Games, making it the oldest regional multi-sport event in the world after the Olympics. Hosted in Santo Domingo, the Games are expected to draw over 6,000 athletes from 37 member delegations, competing across more than 30 sports, 60 disciplines, and a total of 413 events.
Meanwhile, Glasgow is set to host the Commonwealth Games from July 23rd to August 2nd, 2026. This scaled-back edition anticipates welcoming 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories. The programme will feature a more streamlined 10 sports, including six integrated para-sports.
The direct clash in dates means that Bermudian athletes who excel in sports featured in both events, such as athletics or swimming, may be forced to choose between representing their island at a centennial regional celebration or competing on a global Commonwealth stage. Discussions between Centro Caribe Sports and Commonwealth Sport are reportedly ongoing to find a resolution, but as yet, no solution has been announced. This situation highlights the complex logistical and strategic decisions facing sports administrators and, critically, the athletes themselves, as they navigate their competitive futures.
Monday, June 23, 2025
Young Athletes Set to Represent Bermuda on International Stage
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) announced the selection of Team Bermuda for the upcoming 2025 Junior Pan American Games, set to take place in Asuncion, Paraguay from August 9-23, 2025.
Bermuda will have a squad size of twenty-four (24) junior athletes who will compete across seven sports disciplines, representing the next generation of Bermudian athletic excellence.
The Junior Pan American Games, held every four years, brings together the top young athletes aged twenty-three and under from across the Americas. Bermuda's athletes will compete in Archery, Athletics, Cycling, Golf, Rugby, Sailing and Swimming. Asuncion will host the second iteration of these games, with Cali, Colombia hosting the first games in 2021 where Kaden Hopkins won silver for Bermuda in the Cycling Time Trial.
Team Bermuda Selection
Archery
• Jaydon Roberts • Robin Selley
Athletics
• Caitlyn Bobb • Nirobi Smith-Mills
Cycling
• Charlotte Millington
Golf
• Oliver Betschart
Rugby 7’s
• Men's Team
• Matthew Groves, Aiden Kendall, Cameron Morris, Kwame Naylor, Samir Tavares-Place, Dylan Sangster, Brandon Sangster, Jayson Simons, Nyindae Smith, Lucas Summers, Nathan Wilson
Sailing
• Sebastian Kempe • Nicole Stovell
Swimming
• Elijah Daley • Jack Harvey • Sam Willimson • Marleigh Howes
Archers Jaydon Roberts and Robin Selley shared their enthusiasm for the upcoming competition.
"I'm glad that I have the opportunity to represent Bermuda at the 2025 Pan Am Junior Games," said Roberts. "This is my second games, and I am returning stronger, sharper, and ready to surpass my past self."
Selley expressed similar excitement: "I'm so excited to represent Bermuda at the Pan Am Junior Games. This is a goal I have been working hard towards, and I am so grateful for this opportunity."
Sailor Nicole Stovell stated, “I'm excited to take part in the Junior Pan Ams this August to experience sailing in Paraguay for the first time and grow closer with my sport and my competitors!”
"The boys and I are extremely excited to be able to play out in Paraguay against some of the best competition in our age group," said Brandon Sangster of Bermuda Rugby 7s. "It is an incredible opportunity to be able to represent Bermuda at an event as large and prestigious as the Junior Pan Am Games."
"We are incredibly proud of these young athletes who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and talent," said BOA President, Peter Dunne. "The Junior Pan American Games provide an invaluable opportunity for our emerging athletes to gain international experience and compete against the best young talent in the Americas."
Chef De Mission, David Thomas said: "This team represents the future of Bermudian sport. These athletes have shown tremendous commitment in their training and competition, and we're confident they will represent Bermuda with distinction."
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Canada Downs Bermuda in Final Qualifier Match
IslandStats.com
Canada Won by 6 Wickets
Bermuda 131 Canada 132/4
Bermuda concluded their ICC Men's T20 World Cup Americas Regional Final campaign with a 6-wicket defeat to hosts Canada, who have ultimately qualified for the T20 World Cup.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bermuda were bowled out for 131. The innings was largely built around a spectacular knock from Delray Rawlins, who was the top scorer with 70 runs off just 43 balls, an innings adorned with 4 fours and 6 sixes. Rawlins' efforts, however, weren't enough to set a truly challenging total as the rest of the batting order struggled. Saad Zafar was the pick of the Canadian bowlers, returning excellent figures of 3 wickets for just 10 runs from his 4 overs.
In reply, Canada comfortably chased down the target, scoring 132 for 4. Opener Yuvraj Samra led the Canadian charge with a valuable 45 runs. For Bermuda, spinner Dominic Sabir was the most effective bowler, claiming 2 wickets for 28 runs from his 4 overs.
While Bermuda showed flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament, this final loss against the eventual qualifiers marks the end of their bid for a spot in the T20 World Cup. Canada's comprehensive performance throughout the qualifier saw them finish top of the table, securing their place at the global showpiece.
Bermuda Innings
..00 (01) Tre Manders b Kaleem Sana ..06 (15) Alex Dore Ii c Saad Zafar b Jaskaran Buttar ..70 (42) Delray Rawlins c Shivam Sharma b Saad Zafar ..20 (19) Onias Bascome c Kanwarpal Tathgur b Saad Zafar ..01 (03) Terryn Fray c Shivam Sharma b Dilon Heyliger ..00 (05) Jonte Smith c Dilpreet Bajwa b Dilon Heyliger ..00 (02) Dominic Sabir Run Out ..00 (06) Jarryd Richardson b Kaleem Sana ..12 (13) Zeko Burgess c Nicholas Kirton b Kaleem Sana ..02 (05) Derrick Brangman st Kanwarpal Tathgur b Saad Zafar ..00 (01) Chare Smith Not Out ..20 Extras (4lb-15w-1nb) 131 Total All Out after 18.3 overs
..45 (23) Yuvraj Samra b Dominic Sabir ..12 (10) Dilpreet Bajwa c Onias Bascome b Dominic Sabir ..02 (05) Pargat Singh Run Out ..33 (31) Harsh Thaker Not Out ..16 (16) Kanwarpal Tathgur c Jarryd Richardson b Derrick Brangman ..17 (10) Nicholas Kirton Not Out ..07 Extras (7w) 132 Total for 4 wickets after 15.5 overs
Fall of Wickets: 1-63 (Samra), 2-64 (Bajwa), 3-66 (Singh), 4-100 (Tathgur)
Bermuda's archers have concluded their successful campaign at the Copa Merengue in the Dominican Republic, a significant event that ran concurrently with a qualification tournament for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games. The island's contingent secured a historic Bronze Medal and ensured representation at the upcoming Games.
A total of three Bermudian archers finished in the top eight of their respective divisions in the qualification event, a testament to their strong performances against top regional talent.
In the Men’s Recurve Division, Camerin Pickering was the standout performer, winning a well-deserved Bronze Medal. Pickering achieved this feat by defeating Daniel Ragbir from Trinidad and Tobago with a decisive 6-4 score in the bronze medal match. This result also confirms Bermuda has secured an individual spot in the Men's Recurve Division for the 2026 CAC Games. His teammate, Jaydon Roberts, also had a commendable showing, finishing 8th overall in the same division.
In the Ladies Recurve Division, Robin Selley showcased her consistency throughout the tournament, ultimately securing a strong 6th place overall finish.
Also representing Bermuda in the Dominican Republic were Elektra Smith, N’Drera Smith, and Robert O’Connor, all of whom gained invaluable international experience.
The successful outing at Copa Merengue, particularly the bronze medal and the CAC Games qualification, marks a significant milestone for Bermudian archery and provides a strong foundation for continued development leading into the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo.
