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Saturday, December 20, 2025
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Bermuda Academy Caps Landmark Year with Medal Haul
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The Bermuda Thai Boxing Academy has concluded the most successful year in its history in spectacular fashion, returning from Florida with a haul of medals and a dominant international record.
Representing the island at the Pride Muay Thai League Tournament in Miami, the team secured seven wins from nine bouts in 2025, cementing their status as a rising force in global combat sports.
Kru Deondre Morris led by example in the final session of the day. Competing with trademark composure and technical precision, Morris defeated an experienced mixed martial artist and Krav Maga specialist via a unanimous judges’ decision to claim the gold medal.
The victory served as a significant personal milestone for Morris, who has been a central figure in Bermuda’s Muay Thai community for over a decade. "I’m mainly happy to be competing again next to my guys," Morris reflected. "That’s always been a dream of mine".
The academy’s second medal came courtesy of a tireless performance by Dario Marcianese. In a grueling display of conditioning, Marcianese fought three times in just two hours against a field of technical strikers.
After winning his opening match against an aggressive opponent, Marcianese battled through the bracket to reach the final of his division. While he eventually conceded the top spot to secure a silver medal, Morris praised his teammate's grit: “Dario's performance improved every round; I'm very proud of his progress”.
With seven international victories over the calendar year, the academy has set a new benchmark for Bermudian martial arts, highlighting the island's growing pedigree on the global stage.
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Saturday, December 20, 2025
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Bermuda Duo Eye Kingston Pickleball Clean Sweep
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Bermuda’s leading pickleball duo, Gavin Manders and Benjamin Jones, have put themselves on the brink of a historic double after a dominant opening day at the Pickle & Chill Christmas Classic in Kingston, Jamaica.
The pair, who arrive in Jamaica as the top-seeded doubles team, showcased their class across both singles and doubles disciplines to secure four semi-final spots between them.
In the Men’s Singles bracket, both Bermudians negotiated their early rounds with clinical efficiency. Manders, a former Davis Cup tennis standout, set the tone in the first round with a 15-1 demolition of Zachary Chin before following up with a 15-0 victory over Kyle Gregg in the second.
Jones was equally impressive, mirroring his partner's success with a 15-5 win over Simon Levy and a 15-4 defeat of Matthew Rhoden to reach the final eight.
The quarter-finals provided a stiffer test, but the Bermudian momentum remained unchecked. Manders dispatched Jachin Mullings 15-5, while Jones showed great composure to edge out local favorite Blake Shoucair 15-12 in a high-quality encounter.
The pair then combined forces in the Men’s Class A Doubles, where their status as the tournament’s top seeds earned them a first-round bye.
In their quarter-final matchup, the reigning Jamaica International Open champions demonstrated the chemistry that has made them a regional powerhouse. They secured their semi-final berth with a convincing victory over the pairing of Jacob Rousseau and Noah Ho-Tai.
The duo will return to the Pickle & Chill courts tomorrow to compete for a place in the finals, with Manders eyeing a repeat of the "Triple Crown" success he enjoyed at the Bermuda National Championships last month.
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Friday, December 19, 2025
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Bermuda Stars in Kingston for Festive Pickleball Showdown
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Bermuda’s leading pickleball duo, Gavin Manders and Benjamin Jones, have touched down in Jamaica to compete in the highly anticipated Pickle & Chill Christmas Classic in Kingston. The tournament, hosted at the premier Pickle & Chill facility, has become a staple of the regional calendar, blending high-stakes competition with a festive island atmosphere.
Manders and Jones arrive in Kingston as one of the Caribbean's most formidable pairings. The duo recently enjoyed significant success at the Jamaica International Pickleball Open, where they secured the Men’s Doubles Class A gold medal by defeating Canadian Ernesto Fajardo and Jamaican Kobi Stiebel. Their chemistry on the court is well-established; while Jones is often lauded for his defensive orchestration, Manders—Bermuda’s former Davis Cup tennis standout—provides the aggressive finishing power.
The pair also carries momentum from the international stage, having clinched a bronze medal in the Open Men's Doubles division at a pre-World Cup event in Florida earlier this season.
The Christmas Classic features a wide array of talent across multiple divisions, including:
Doubles Class A: The elite advanced category where Manders and Jones will look to defend their regional reputation.
Doubles Class B & C: Intermediate and beginner brackets designed to foster local and international growth.
Singles Open: High-level individual competition across various skill ratings.
The facility at 13 East Kings House Road is known for its energetic "competitive vibes," featuring seven outdoor asphalt courts and shaded spectator zones. With local DJs and Caribbean music providing the backdrop, the tournament serves as both a serious athletic test and a celebration of the sport’s rapid expansion in the region.
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Thursday, December 18, 2025
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Bermuda Trio Awarded FIFA List Extension for 2026
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Bermuda Football Association (BFA) Chairman of Referees Crenstant Williams is celebrating a major milestone this evening as three local officials have been officially retained on the prestigious FIFA International Referees List for 2026.
Referee Amaury Majors and Assistant Referees Clinton Hayward and Stefan Maybury have all been awarded another year on the global list, ensuring Bermuda’s continued presence at the highest level of international officiating.
The announcement marks a significant achievement for the BFA’s referee development program. A jubilant Williams took to social media to share the news, posting, “Team Bermuda in the building 2026 loading,” signaling the island’s readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifying cycle.
The re-inclusion of the trio follows their successful completion of the rigorous FIFA Physical Fitness Test earlier this month at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium. To remain on the list, officials must pass comprehensive evaluations, including speed sprints and change-of-direction drills (CODA), ensuring they meet the elite physical standards required for FIFA-sanctioned matches.
Bermuda’s officiating stock has risen sharply in recent years, with these officials becoming regular fixtures in regional competitions.
Amaury Majors has been a rising star since his elevation to the list in 2025, recently serving as a fourth official in FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Clinton Hayward and Stefan Maybury have been stalwarts of the international scene since 2021, representing the island in major tournaments including the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup and World Cup qualifiers.
While Natasha Trott, Bermuda’s historic first female FIFA official, remains sidelined through injury, the retention of the male trio underscores the depth of talent currently being fostered under Williams' leadership.
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Wednesday, December 17, 2025
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Islandstats.com to Announce 2025 Sports Awards Winners
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The anticipation is building as the countdown begins for the Islandstats.com Sports Awards of the Year 2025. A total of eleven prestigious awards will be handed out during a live broadcast event scheduled for Tuesday, December 29th, celebrating the outstanding achievements across the island's sporting landscape throughout the past year.
The annual awards ceremony aims to recognize athletes, teams, and moments that defined sporting success for the year.
The eleven categories cover a wide spectrum of achievement, honouring both established seniors and emerging young talent, as well as those competing collegiately and on the international stage.
The key awards to be presented are:
Senior Male Athlete of the Year
Senior Female Athlete of the Year
Junior Male Athlete of the Year
Junior Female Athlete of the Year
Male College Athlete of the Year
Female College Athlete of the Year
Team of the Year
Coach of the Year
Breakthrough Athlete of the Year
International Performance of the Year
Moment of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award
The live broadcast on December 29th will unveil the winners in each category, marking the culmination of a successful sporting year for the island.
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