Three junior players from the Junior Badminton Bermuda National team are competing in Ottawa, Canada on the 3rd and 4th January 2026.
This is the 2nd overseas tournament for the Junior National Badminton Team this season having previously competed in Markham, Toronto in October 2025. The team is coached by Emma Moran-Lee and Aaron Simmons, who are the adult ladies and mens #1 singles players in Bermuda and both represent Bermuda overseas in the UK, USA and at the Small Island Games.
JitHom Liew, 13, Somersfield Academy, has been playing badminton for about 2 years. What attracted Liew to the sport was its speed and intensity, as it’s the fastest racquet sport.
Liew has been training consistently for the Ontario Junior C Tournament in Carleton, he has also been doing plyometric exercises to work on his explosiveness and running to improve his stamina. Liew also increased the number of training sessions to better prepare himself for the tournament.
Liew said, “At the tournament, I am hoping to achieve a podium finish in the singles tournament. This will be my second experience competing overseas. A few months ago, I competed in a Junior C tournament in Toronto, Ontario. In that tournament, I was knocked into the consolation round by the player who won Bronze, and I managed to reach the quarter finals there. This was quite a big achievement for me, as there were almost 200 players in my age group.
Traveling as a team is very beneficial because it provides a lot of support, as having teammates around and supporting you helps with motivation and confidence a lot, which is very useful in matches. It also helps with team chemistry and makes the overall experience better and more enjoyable.
I am excited for the opportunity to compete in the Victor Ontario Junior C tournament and am hoping to gain more experience and continue my badminton journey.”
Aaron Lee, 16 years old, Somersfield Academy, has been playing badminton for four years, following in the footsteps of his mum who is a national team badminton player, Bermuda ladies #1 and she got him into the sport. Lee played at school in classes and afterschool, then joined the National Junior Badminton coaching sessions.
Lee said, “We have been training early mornings and evenings in preparation for the tournament and we have been getting challenging game play vs the adult national team players.
At the tournament I am looking forward to playing games against new opponents, the standard is high in Canada so I am hoping to win some matches and progress as far as possible in the tournament. I am playing all disciplines, singles, boys doubles with Joseph Lau and mixed doubles with Sawara Pawar from Canada.
This will be my 2nd experience of competing overseas, the first was in Markham, Ontario, Canada in October 2025. I reached the semi finals of the consolation tournament with Joseph Lau and quarter finals of the singles tournament.
Travelling as a team is really important as badminton is more of an individual sport. In the October tournament in Markham we shared a big house which created a cohesive team as we supported each other on and off the court.”
Joseph Lau, 16, Warwick Academy, will be competing in the U19 boys singles and doubles.
Coach- Emma Moran-Lee said, “We are looking forward to taking the players to compete in the U15 and U19 badminton tournaments. It will be a great opportunity for the boys to experience more challenging game play as they are at the top of their game here in Bermuda.
We have increased the frequency of their training prior to the tournament to get them game ready, playing against the adult national team players has been really useful to up their level of performance. I can’t wait to see the boys in action on the courts."
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Islandstats.com Football Show Live at 6 pm
IslandStats.com
The much-anticipated “IslandStats Football Show” is set to grace the airwaves once again, today at 6:00 pm. This weekly program promises to be a vital hub for football enthusiasts, delivering comprehensive updates of the Premier and First Division.
Fans can tune in to catch the latest scores, highlights, and analyses. Whether you’re a die-hard supporter or a casual observer, “The IslandStats Football Show” aims to be your go-to destination for all things football-related.
Expect more than just match results. The show’s dynamic format invites coaches, players, and Bermuda Football Association officials to join live discussions. Their firsthand insights, tactical breakdowns, and candid reflections promise to enrich the football discourse.
Saturday, December 27, 2025
Robinson Skips to the Front at CRSA China Open
IslandStats.com
The 2025 CRSA China Open got underway in spectacular fashion, and it was a Bermudian who is representing the United States’ Ajani Robinson who stole the spotlight during a high-octane opening day of competition. Representing the Stars and Stripes, Robinson delivered a clinical performance that solidified his status as one of the premier world-class athletes in the sport of competitive jump rope.
Competing against an elite international field, Robinson’s Day 1 highlights were defined by a blend of raw athletic power and intricate technical precision.
Robinson, who has previously made headlines for his performances during high-profile events like the UNC-Duke basketball half-time shows, brought that same showmanship to the Chinese stage. Robinson navigated the opening rounds with the poise of a veteran, maintaining a blistering pace in the speed disciplines that left several of his closest rivals trailing in his wake.
The afternoon sessions saw Robinson transition into the freestyle categories, where his innovative routine and flawless execution garnered high marks from the judges. Having recently dominated regional competitions in the U.S. with a string of first-place finishes, his transition to the global circuit appears seamless.
His goal remains a podium finish that would secure his path to the upcoming World Championships, and if this opening day in Shanghai is any indication, the American is well on his way to achieving that milestone. As the competition heads into Day 2, all eyes remain on Robinson to see if he can maintain this golden momentum on the world stage.
Friday, December 26, 2025
Simmons Looks Back on his Fourth Pro Fight
IslandStats.com
In the unforgiving theatre of professional boxing, a fighter’s fourth outing is often where the pretenders are separated from the prospects.
For Bermudian heavy-hitter Dash Simmons, his televised debut was billed as his first true "50/50" fight—a coin-flip contest designed to test his mettle under the bright lights. With cruiserweight legend Steve "U.S.S." Cunningham watching from ringside, the stage was set for a breakout performance.
However, what transpired was not a showcase of effortless power, but a grueling masterclass in psychological warfare and physical adaptation.
The narrative of the fight shifted violently in the second round when Simmons felt a sickening crack in his lead hand. "I broke my hand in the second," Simmons revealed following the bout. "I knew immediately. I told my coach, and then I simply stopped acknowledging the pain." To the untrained eye—including that of Hall of Famer Shawn Porter on the broadcast—Simmons appeared to be "hitching" or hesitating with his right hand.
Porter noted a lack of commitment, but the truth was far more clinical: the tool was broken. Rather than succumb to the agony, Simmons opted for awareness without obstruction, refusing to let the injury dictate the tempo of the fight.
As the rounds progressed, Simmons leaned into a new strategy. "When one tool fails, don’t panic—double down on the tools you still have," he noted. By adjusting his tactics on the fly and intensifying his reliance on his remaining arsenal, he managed to outwork his opponent despite the handicap. The performance was so doggedly resilient that commentators began drawing parallels to the "Bronze Bomber" Deontay Wilder, noting a similar ability to remain a threat even when the primary game plan is compromised.
Ultimately, Simmons secured the "W," proving that pressure does not expose who a fighter wants to be, but rather reveals who they have already trained to become. In the aftermath of a televised battle that could have easily gone the other way, Simmons emerged with more than just a victory; he earned the respect of the legends in the building. He didn't just fight an opponent; he fought through a fracture, proving that while a hand can break, a fighter's resolve is far more difficult to shatter.
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Boxing Day Special Your Ultimate Guide to a Bumper Day
IslandStats.com
The highlight of the Bermudian sporting calendar arrives this Friday as Boxing Day offers a feast of action spanning from the West End to the East End. Whether you are heading to the football, the dirt track, or the equestrian center, the island is set for a high-octane conclusion to the year.
The football world descends on the West for a massive double-header in the BFA Shield and Friendship Trophy semi-finals.
The action kicks off at 12 noon with a First Division showdown in the Shield, as Somerset Eagles take on Wolves for a place in the New Year's Day final.
The main event follows at 2:00 pm, as defending Friendship Trophy champions Dandy Town Hornets launch their title defense against the Devonshire Cougars. It is a repeat of last year's festive drama, with the Hornets looking to maintain their grip on the trophy at a venue where they have historically thrived.
For those seeking high-speed thrills, the Bermuda Motocross Association will host its annual Boxing Day showcase at the Southside Motor Sports Park in St. David's.
Racing begins at 12 noon, featuring a full slate of classes ranging from the youth 50cc riders to the Expert and Over-30 divisions. The event has become a staple of the holiday tradition, drawing thousands to the East End for some of the most competitive riding of the season.
Centrally located at the National Equestrian Center, the Driving Horse & Pony Club presents its traditional Boxing Day program with a 1:00 PM post time.
The meet will feature the highly anticipated Veterans Invitational, where some of the island’s most experienced drivers will return to the sulky. After a season defined by blistering speeds and multiple photo finishes, fans can expect more tight competition on the Vesey Street track.
