Micah Franklin and Noah Browne have won Bermuda’s first medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games for eight years — despite losing to Mexico in the men’s doubles squash semi-finals in Cali, Colombia, today.

The pair, who were guaranteed bronze after beating Trinidad and Tobago 11-8, 11-4 in the quarter-finals on Saturday, won the opening set 11-10 against César and Arturo Martínez Salazar, of Mexico, before losing the next two 11-6, 11-5.

Franklin said he has mixed emotions after threatening to pull off a big upset.

“It was a very tight game and we so easily could have snuck an upset,” said the 25-year-old.

“We are both delighted to win bronze especially considering it’s our first tournament playing doubles together, but obviously we were so close to the final that we’ve been left wanting more.

“Hopefully this is a great sign of more to come from the two of us.”

Jon Beard, the Bermuda chef de mission, hopes Franklin and Browne’s battling display will have inspired those team-mates with medal aspirations in Colombia.

“A fabulous accomplishment from hard-working and dedicated athletes,” he said. “It’s a credit to them and the Bermuda squash programme. It’s our first medal for eight years! I hope it is a sign for a few others in the next week.”

In sailing, Benn Smith, 18, stands in eighth place after seven races of the men’s Laser class with 42 points after finishing seventh and ninth yesterday.

Ignacio Maegli, of Guatemala, is in a commanding lead on six points after winning both races yesterday. Races eight and nine take place on Wednesday.