Bermuda Karate Team Set for Miami Open International
IslandStats.com
A delegation of Bermuda’s finest young martial artists is preparing to take the international stage this weekend. The Bermuda Youth National Karate Team, consisting of eight dedicated athletes, is traveling to compete in the prestigious Miami Open Karate International tournament, held at Florida Memorial University on May 16th and 17th.
This year’s event is expected to be a massive showcase of talent, featuring approximately 600 karate athletes from various countries. For many of the Bermuda competitors, this marks their second consecutive year traveling to this high-level international circuit, following months of rigorous training.
The squad is led by Sensei Nigel Williams, Sensei Arnold E. Allen and Sensei Talia Fox who have overseen a demanding training schedule designed to sharpen the athletes' technical skills and competitive edge.
The 2026 Youth Competitors include: Zoe Talbot: 10/11 Female Intermediate, Kata Talaya Sousa: 12/13 Female Intermediate Kata, Alessia Vianello: 12/13 Female Intermediate Kata, Amarriah Vaughans: 12/13 Female Intermediate Kata, Dash Bailey: 14/15 Male Advanced Kata, Davonte Smith-Richardson: 16/17 Male Advanced Kata, Giovanni Vianello: 10/11 Male Novice Kata, Chan Simons: 10/11 Male Novice Kata & 10/11 Male Kumite (Sparring).
In addition to the youth team, two adult competitors will be representing Bermuda in the Masters divisions. Tony Cabral will compete in Men’s Masters Kata, Kumite, and Kobudo (weapons), while team coach Talia Fox will also step onto the mat in the Female Masters Kata and Kobudo divisions.
"We are extremely proud of the preparation the team has put into their training over the past few months," said the coaching staff. "These young athletes have shown immense discipline and growth. To compete in a field of 600 international athletes is a significant challenge, and we are excited to see their hard work pay off in Miami."
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Kim Burns Memorial Pickleball Tournament Returns
IslandStats.com
This weekend the Pickleball Association of Bermuda will host the third annual Kim Burns Memorial Pickleball Tournament, taking place from Saturday, May 16th through Thursday, May 21st at the WER Joell Tennis Stadium.
Held each May in celebration of the life and legacy of Kim Burns, the tournament honors one of Bermuda’s most passionate and respected pickleball players, mentors and ambassadors for the sport. Burns, who passed away following a courageous battle with cancer, continues to inspire Bermuda’s close-knit pickleball community through an event rooted in competition, camaraderie and community spirit.
This year’s tournament will be the largest yet, featuring 27 categories with 16-player draws across doubles, mixed doubles and singles competition.
Players from across the island will compete throughout the six-day event, showcasing Bermuda’s growing passion for pickleball while paying tribute to a player remembered not only for her talent on the court, but also for her encouragement, sportsmanship and love for the game.
The tournament has quickly become a meaningful fixture on Bermuda’s sporting calendar, bringing together athletes, friends and supporters to celebrate Kim’s enduring impact on the sport and the wider community.
Opening and closing presentations throughout the tournament will reflect on the lasting legacy Burns leaves behind, while competitors battle for titles in what is expected to be one of the association’s most competitive events to date.
The Pickleball Association of Bermuda said the event continues to embody the very best of sport — unity, resilience and friendship — while ensuring Kim Burns’ spirit remains an enduring part of Bermuda’s pickleball story.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Lambe & Roach on Same Galveston Fight Card
IslandStats.com
Adrian Roache will join Andre Lambe on the June 6th fightcard in Galveston Texas. Lambe will enter the ring with his ABO North American Welterweight Championship belt on the line, Roach who has a professional record of 2&0 is set to take on Jerrell Mayweather who is also undefeated with a record of 5&0, this fight is billed as AR-15 vs The Grim Reaper
Lambe has declared himself to be in the finest form of his career, citing a grueling training camp that has sharpened both his technical skill and physical conditioning.
The southpaw, known for his clinical accuracy, expressed a unique excitement for this upcoming bout, noting the difficulty in securing opponents willing to take a risk against him at this stage of his professional trajectory.
Lambe’s preparations have been focused on reaching a new level of "technical soundness". The fighter believes his timing and precision have reached an all-time high, backed by a series of high-quality sparring sessions that have tested his resolve and tactical awareness.
"Technically sound like this, this is the sharpest I've been leading up to a fight," Lambe stated, reflecting on a camp that has prioritized elite-level execution.
Beyond the technicalities of the sweet science, Lambe highlighted a significant jump in his physical metrics. From weight management to raw stamina, the Bermudian standout feels he is operating at a physical peak that will be crucial for the intensity expected on June 6th.
The fight forms part of a busy calendar for Lambe, who confirmed he has several more bouts scheduled throughout the year as he looks to maintain his momentum in the division.
The event will also be a family affair of sorts, with Lambe expressing his enthusiasm for having fellow Bermudian Adrian Roach on the undercard. While Lambe is designated as the co-main event, he remains confident in his status as the evening's primary draw.
"I'm just grateful that everything's coming together," Lambe concluded. "This year should be a great year, and I'm just looking forward to being able to display that on June 6th".
For Roach, the path to the June 6th card was defined by a deliberate search for elite competition. After seeing two potential "journeyman" opponents withdraw, Roach and his team proactively reached out to secure a clash with a fellow undefeated fighter who was already on the card.
"We asked for this. We asked for the step up, we asked for the challenge," Roach stated, emphasizing that he is not interested in "easy fights" during his limited years in the sport. Expecting an "all-out war," Roach believes his rigorous camp has prepared him for the physical demands of an opponent who "is not going to lay down."
Andre Lambe enters the ring following what he describes as the sharpest and most technically sound preparations of his career. The southpaw has focused on a camp that has pushed both his stamina and tactical timing to new heights.
"Technically sound like this, this is the sharpest I've been leading up to a fight," Lambe noted, reflecting on a training cycle that has prioritized elite-level execution. Like Roach, Lambe views the challenge of an undefeated opponent as a necessary step to prove his standing at this stage of his professional journey.
The unique dynamic of two Bermudians preparing for the same high-stakes card has created a powerful atmosphere in the gym. Roach noted that the shared professional journey has allowed both fighters to feed off each other's intensity during their preparations.
"The energy's going to be there from both of us. We're going to be feeding off of each other," Roach said, anticipating a standout night for Bermudian boxing.
With both men aiming for clinical performances and knockouts, the June 6th event represents a significant milestone for the island's sporting talent on the international stage.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
New Era for League as Show Prepares for Relaunch
IslandStats.com
The wait is over for Bermuda’s cricket faithful as the 2026 League Cricket season officially bowled off this weekend with a full slate of matches across the Premier and First Divisions.
Matches played yesterday and today have marked the beginning of a League season defined by massive roster shifts and high expectations. While established powerhouses like St. David’s Cricket Club began their campaign as defending champions, all eyes were on the newly-promoted Southampton Rangers, who have significantly bolstered their squad with the likes of Delray Rawlins and the Bascome brothers.
The weekend’s action has already provided a glimpse into the tactical shifts across the island, as clubs navigate the new high-performance frameworks introduced for the 2026 season.
Following the conclusion of this afternoon's fixtures, the “IslandStats Cricket Show” will return to the airwaves this evening at 7:00 pm. The program serves as the definitive source for domestic cricket, offering a platform for fans to digest the first wave of results from the opening weekend.
Hosted by Earl Basden, the weekly broadcast will feature expert analysis from two of the most respected names in the Bermudian game: Terry Fray and Andre Manders.
Beyond the immediate league results, the panel will dive into the looming international calendar. With Bermuda set to host the ICC T20 World Cup Americas Sub-Regional Qualifier in June and the inaugural Bermuda Smash Invitational on the horizon, the discussion will focus on:
League Form: Which players are putting their hands up for national selection? International Commitments: Analyzing the training squad led by captain Terryn Fray. The High-Performance Framework: How new strategic directions are impacting domestic play.
Cricket fans are encouraged to join the conversation and get the latest updates as the season gains momentum.
Friday, May 08, 2026
Simons Completes Elite CONCACAF VAR Training
IslandStats.com
Bermudian referee Tashun Simons has taken a significant step toward the upper echelons of international officiating after successfully completing the CONCACAF Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Training Program in Miami.
The intensive program, which ran from May 4th to May 8th, serves as a critical certification for officials looking to operate in the high-pressure environment of the VAR booth. Based in Florida, the elite training focused on the technical nuances of video review, communication protocols, and the "clear and obvious" threshold required to overturn on-field decisions.
For Simons, the completion of this course marks a pivotal moment in his professional development. The certification is designed to equip referees with the specific skill set needed to handle the multi-angle, real-time analysis that has become a standard fixture in modern football.
Simons’ participation in the Miami clinic is expected to act as a catalyst for his officiating career within the region. As CONCACAF continues to integrate VAR technology across its primary tournaments—including the Gold Cup and Champions Cup—the demand for certified video officials has never been higher.
By mastering the technology, Simons has positioned himself to be considered for high-profile appointments as a VAR official in upcoming CONCACAF competitions.
The transition from the pitch to the monitor is often cited by officials as one of the most challenging tactical shifts in the game. With this latest qualification, Simons joins a select group of Caribbean officials capable of managing the technology that continues to reshape the landscape of international football.
As he returns to the middle, the experience gained in Miami ensures that Bermuda continues to be represented at the cutting edge of global officiating standards.
