The third day of the third annual Kim Burns Memorial Pickleball Tournament reached a dramatic crescendo at the W.E.R. Joell Tennis Stadium, with a glittering day of finals bringing a breathless week of high-octane action to an end.
With playoff spots decided after a grueling group stage that tested the island's top talent, the knockout rounds produced a tactical showcase of baseline grit and high-intensity volleys as the medals were decided across multiple divisions.
The Men’s 3.5 Singles Open division saw group-stage heavyweights clash in a spectacular podium battle. Having dominated Pool A with a ruthless fifteen to two opening win against Micah Dottin and a hard-fought triumph over Jack Walsh, Donin Trott maintained his stellar form all the way to the final match. Trott captured the coveted gold medal after navigating a stellar field, while his pool rival Nicholas Butterfield took home a well-deserved silver. Owen Stewart, who had set the pace in Pool B with consecutive victories over Julian Borchardt and Eldon Trimingham, capped off an impressive individual tournament by clinching the bronze medal.
The elite Men’s 4.5 Singles division treated the spectators to a masterclass in power and precision. Ben Jones emerged as the class of the field, delivering a clinical performance under pressure to secure the gold medal. Jones was pushed to his absolute limits by Jasper Thomas, who took a highly commendable silver medal after a fierce battle at the kitchen line.
More silverware was decided in the ultra-competitive Men’s 4.0 Singles division, where Rian Michelsen reigned supreme. Michelsen demonstrated flawless court coverage throughout the final rounds to claim the gold medal. Nicolaas Van Der Westhuizen fought valiantly to push Michelsen all the way, ultimately settling for the silver medal, while Aman Sangareria won a tense third-place playoff to round out the podium and secure the bronze.
The podium success followed an exhausting preliminary stage that had defined the tournament’s competitive spirit. The veterans in the Over 50 Division had set the tone for the final day’s drama, with Xavier James, Duane Simons, and Edgar Griffith trading grueling three-set comebacks. That baseline resilience echoed through to the final day, ensuring that the third edition of the memorial tournament concluded as a true celebration of the rising standards of local pickleball.
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