Bajans Make Segway Polo History

A Barbados team made history when the became the first to lift the Segway Polo World Championships title for the third consecutive time.

Speaking from Stockholm Sweden, where the championships were held last weekend, president of the Segway Polo Club of Barbados Nevin Roach, told NATION SPORT the Barbadians have now won the overall title five times - proof that the are indeed the best.

The final was the third straight between the Bajans and the German team Balver Mammuts, with the Bajans winning 3-0.

"For a very long time we have been regarded as one of the best teams in the world, so to come back to the World Championships and win for a third consecutive time feels fantastic and it definitely cements us without a doubt as the best team in the world," he said.

Top of group

Barbados advanced to the quarter-finals of the tournament, which started last Thursday in Stockholm, after finishing with four wins and a draw.

In the group stage the defeated X-Turtles 8-2, Barbarians 3-0, Funky Turtles 6-0, and Balver Mammuts 2-1 before drawing 0-0 against the Cavemen.

In the quarter-finals, the Bajans defeated Aixdrive Eagles 2-0 to secure a semi-final spot against the Hemer Butterflies, who the defeated 4-2.

Roach said preparation was important in them prevailing once again.

"You know what they say, if you fail to prepare you essentially prepare to fail, so for us preparation ahead of the tournament was a top priority," he said. "All the guys were very dedicated to the practice sessions, coming out to work on basic skills like passing, shooting, attacking plays, defensive plays and stuff like that. Everything that we worked on, we were able to bring to Sweden with us and execute fantastic on the field.

"We paid very close attention to our opponents and tweaked our game slightly whenever necessary, [so] that we could get the results that we needed," said the president.

Defender Ryan Rodriguez added that the triumph showed people that size had nothing to do with talent.

"It doesn't matter where you're from or how big a country is; it just shows that small islands and small places can produce exceptional talent all over the world," he said (RG)