Manders Ends Games Career With 14 Medals
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Gavin Manders will retire from the NatWest International Island Games with an overall haul of 14 medals after winning two more in Guernsey.
Manders, who is Bermuda’s most successful all time Island Games athlete, won bronze in the team event and men’s doubles.
The 37-year-old, who fittingly carried the island’s flag at the opening ceremony, has competed in Rhodes, Aland, Isle of Wight, Jersey, Gotland and Gibraltar during a Games career spanning 18 years.
He debuted in the Shetland Islands in 2005, although the tennis event was in Gibraltar, and has won six team medals [one gold, one silver and four bronze], three singles medals [one silver and two bronze] and five men’s doubles medals [one gold, two silver and two bronze].
Manders, who intends on taking on the role of non-playing captain, retired midway through the men’s doubles semi-final against Aland on Thursday because of an injury, serving underarm throughout the first set, which Bermuda lost 7-5.
He tore a pectoral muscle in the quarter-final win over Gotland the previous day.
Manders, who will continue playing Davis Cup for Bermuda next year, told Bernews: “I finish with 14 medals, not too bad. I’m truly blessed to be here doing it. It’s all for Bermuda.”
James Finnigan & Gavin Manders at Island Games on July 12
Gavin Manders after match at Island Games on July 13
