Yushea Desilva Andrade reflected on her gold medal performance at the Birmingham World Boccia Challenger
Desilvea Andrade said the Birmingham World Boccia Challenger was a great competition for me. We knew going in, it would be a tough one because there were only 5 people in my division, which meant we would have to play a round robin.
That’s when you play everyone once. My first game didn’t go as I anticipated, but I kept on playing the game the way my coach and I had planned. Even when I lost that first game, a feeling came over me that I couldn’t explain.
I just knew I would be okay and that it would all work out. After winning my second game using the same plan, that feeling I had grew stronger. In my 3rd and 4th game, I had fallen behind in the first few ends, but I knew I could come back from that.
All I needed to do was remain calm, dig deep, and execute my shots to the best of my ability, and I DID!!!!!
Winning this Gold Medal didn’t just make me happy that I won, it taught me a very important lesson. That if I just stick to the plan (meaning the way I play my game), even when things get a bit uncertain, that it will work out in the end.
It was awesome to have this experience with my friends, some of whom I hadn’t seen in a while, and also a new teammate. Special thanks to my coach and my mom for always giving me the support and guidance I need on this rollercoaster of a journey.
Thank you to everyone for your continued support in my journey. Now it’s time to start preparing for the World Championships in Seoul, Korea, this summer!
Monday, June 29, 2026
Minister Extends Condolences
IslandStats.com
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic boating accident that occurred on Sunday. My sincere condolences go to the family and loved ones of the individual who lost their life, and my thoughts are also with the person who was injured. I wish them strength and a full recovery.
As Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, I know how important Bermuda's waters are to our culture and way of life, and it touches all aspects of this Ministry. I have also personally expressed my condolences to the Commodore of the Bermuda Power Boat Association and to his members.
I also wish to thank the Bermuda Police Service, Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, Emergency Medical Services, and everyone who responded with professionalism and care.
On behalf of the Government of Bermuda, I extend my deepest sympathies to all those affected by this tragic incident.”
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Golden Sweep for Cox & Sidders at Presidential Wushu Cup
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s martial artists enjoyed a flawless, golden outing on the international stage as Kaelin Cox and Geraldine Sidders dominated the 2026 Presidential Wushu Cup in Maryland.
Competing at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, the elite Bermudian duo put on a clinic of precision, power, and athletic artistry to win five gold medals from five events.
Cox asserted his total dominance across the physically demanding Southern styles, sweeping all three of his competitive divisions to claim a spectacular golden hat-trick.
Cox opened his account in the Nanquan (southern fist) discipline, executing an explosive, high-energy routine that drew immense praise from the judges to score a commanding 8.79. He carried that supreme momentum directly into the weapon categories.
Displaying lethal speed and razor-sharp extension with the blade, Cox secured his second gold in the Nandao (southern broadsword) with a score of 8.55. He then completed the clean sweep in the Nangun (southern staff) division, anchoring his status as the fighter to beat with a clinical score of 8.61 to comfortably mount the top step of the podium for a third time.
Not to be outdone, Geraldine Sidders produced an equally flawless exhibition of technical mastery to sweep both of her scheduled events in the Northern styles.
Sidders set the standard early in the Changquan (longfist) division. Showcasing the hallmark fully extended strikes, agile footwork, and elegant aerial acrobatics of the discipline, she cruised to the gold medal with an impressive score of 8.36.
She returned to the mat shortly after to display brilliant control and rapid coordination in the Gunshu (staff) category. Speeding through her complex routine with flawless transitions, Sidders posted an excellent 8.33 to lock down her second gold of the weekend.
The unblemished five-medal haul marks a monumental achievement for Bermudian martial arts on the regional circuit, sending a resounding message across the international Wushu community as the athletes build toward
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Trojans Set to Celebrate Historic Canadian Campaign
IslandStats.com
Fifty years on from a groundbreaking chapter in Bermudian football history, the legendary Somerset Trojans 1976 Bantam squad will reunite this Saturday, June 27th, to reflect on their historic journey to the Mini World Cup in Canada.
For a generation of football fans, the summer of 1976 remains a watershed moment. It was the year a group of exceptionally talented youngsters from Somerset boarded a plane to test their mettle against international opposition, capturing the imagination of the island and putting Bermudian youth football firmly on the map.
Half a century later, the memories remain vivid. This Saturday’s special anniversary event, kicking off at 5:00 PM, promises a poignant evening of reflection, nostalgia, and celebration as former teammates and sporting dignitaries gather to look back at the campaign.
While the evening is a celebration of collective achievement, it will also serve as an emotional tribute to key individuals who shaped the club's legacy both on and off the pitch.
Special honors will be paid to local football icons Dwayne "Tricks" Richardson, Reginald Pearman, and Lionel Turner, whose contributions to the fabric of the Somerset community and the sport have left an indelible mark.
The evening will also hold a moment of solemn remembrance for the late Clive Philpott, a deeply missed member of the Trojans family, as the club honors his enduring memory.
The evening will additionally recognize the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) for their pivotal role in facilitating the historic 1976 tour, which laid the groundwork for decades of international youth development to follow.
For the Somerset Trojans, the Class of '76 represents more than just a successful youth team; they represent a blueprint of ambition and community pride. Saturday's reunion ensures that their pioneering spirit continues to inspire the next generation of players pulling on the famous red and blue shirts.
Monday, June 22, 2026
Bermuda Men’s Team target 2027 Continental Spots in Tlaxcala
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The National Archery Association of Bermuda’s Men’s National Team has touched down in Tlaxcala, Mexico, ahead of a high-stakes campaign at the prestigious Pan American Archery Championships.
The elite continental tournament serves as the single most critical qualification gateway for the region's archers, with prized qualification slots on the line for the Lima 2027 Pan American Games in Peru.
Bermuda's four-man squad features the core unit of Camerin Pickering, Jaydon Roberts, Bernard Wade, and Robert O’Connor. The contingent has travelled under the guidance of elite coaching duo Ross and Trina Roberts, who will be overseeing the technical adjustments as the team transitions to the competitive atmosphere in central Mexico.
The stakes could not be higher on the range, with Tlaxcala set to award 18 coveted spots in the recurve division and 9 in the compound division for each gender. The primary route to qualification for the Bermudians will rest on a top-five finish in the high-pressure team rounds, while a secondary, special individual allocation round offers a final lifeline for nations yet to secure team berths.
Facing down powerhouse federations from the United States, Brazil, and host nation Mexico, Bermuda's marksmen face a daunting examination of nerve and execution under pressure.
The official practice sessions and equipment inspections get underway immediately, building toward the opening qualification rounds where the island's elite sand-and-wind specialists will look to master the Mexican air and lock down their positions for the elimination brackets.
