‘Australia spell will help Games bid’

Micah Franklin is confident his tough tour of Australia will ensure he’s a force to be reckoned with at this year’s Island Games.

Franklin, one of Bermuda’s brightest young squash players, is ranked 169 in the world and is currently Down Under competing in tournaments.

This will be his second Island Games after a strong showing in 2011.

He told the Bermuda Sun: “Although I may have not had the results [in Australia] I was looking for, I am maturing as a player and learning from these performances. 

“Last Island Games I finished just outside of the podium, which gives me extra incentive to do well this year. I feel as though the competition will be stronger this year with countries sending their top players. Regardless I also feel like I have improved since last time around and I am looking to break through into a top-three finish for Bermuda.”

The 20-year-old added: “The fact that the games are in Bermuda this year is huge to me.

“The atmosphere and energy that a home crowd gives you on that court is something that you can’t replicate.”

His most recent tournament ended in a straight sets loss to Norwegian Kim Are Killenburg and he admitted he was  “tense and nervy”. He added: “I will be trying to stay positive and train hard for the rest of the trip and use this experience to make me a better player when I return to Bermuda.”

Meanwhile, Laura Robinson, Bermuda’s top female squash player in this year’s team, also feels optimistic after putting in a strong performance in the 2011 Island Games, although she failed to medal.  

She told the Sun: “My main goal is to medal in at least one of the three events I am competing in. 

“Micah and I missed out on a medal in the mixed doubles in the 2011 Island Games when we placed fourth and I plan on using that disappointment to drive me. 

“The other islands are fielding some very strong competition so it will definitely be very tough, especially in the singles event. 

“I’m hoping to improve on my previous two results in the singles and either medal or be competing for a medal. 

“I feel much better prepared for this Island Games than the 2011 Island Games and am looking forward to a great competition.”