The Caribbean pickleball community has descended upon Trinidad for an unforgettable weekend of sport as the ANSA Bank Open took center stage.
Hosted by Pickleball Paradise, the three-day extravaganza has brought together elite competitors, intense regional rivalries, and historic milestones, highlighting the meteoric rise of the sport across the islands.
The tournament features a diverse field of athletes traveling from Barbados, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Tobago, and Bermuda, reflecting the booming popularity and strengthening community ties within Caribbean pickleball.
Bermuda was well represented on the courts by Gavin Manders and Mical Russel, who both found themselves in the thick of the medal rounds after a gruelling schedule of matches.
Manders tasted ultimate success as part of the Jade Monkey Howlers franchise. Facing off against the Diego Martin Shock in a tense and highly atmospheric final, the Howlers displayed superb chemistry and tactical precision to secure a 3-1 victory and claim the prestigious title.
There was to be no double podium for the Bermudians, however, as Russel's team, Three Islands One Love, fell just short of a medal.
Competing in a hard-fought bronze medal match against the Rally Rebels, Russel’s outfit battled valiantly but ultimately succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to finish just outside the podium places.
With action continuing across the weekend, the tournament has already cemented its status as a landmark event for the sport, proving that pickleball has firmly established its footprint in the Caribbean sporting landscape.
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