As the dust settles on the 2007 Island Games, the athletes who represented Bermuda can begin to reflect on another successful and fruitful competition.

The Island’s medal-winning intent was clear from the outset with Bermuda sending their largest ever party to Rhodes to compete against the 24 other member islands at the biggest ever Games.

Bettering their 46 medal yield at the 2005 Island Games in the Sheltland Islands would always pose an arduous task in the absence of gymnastics — a sport Bermuda won an impressive 24 podium finishes two years ago.

With that in mind a 40-medal haul at the picturesque, and scorching hot, Greek island can be viewed as a pleasing Island Games chapter for Bermuda.

Among the many success stories was the dominance of the golf team, who almost cleaned up in Rhodes winning three gold medals, and two bronze.

Will Haddrell and Laura Robinson stole the limelight, both claiming gold in the individual championships, while the men’s team won gold and the women’s a bronze in the team competitions.

Nicholas Mansell also enjoyed bronze medal success in the men’s event to ensure even President of Bermuda Golf Association Bob Legere’s high expectations were eclipsed.

In the pool, Bermuda also had a major impact with Ashley Aitken grabbing the headlines for much of the competition with a staggering eight medals, including one gold, four silver and three bronze in both individual and team events.

The stand-out display of the Dalhousie University athlete went some way to compensate for her narrow failure to qualify for the Pan Am Games in Rio.

And while Bermuda’s number one Andy Bray was unable to achieve his remit of a first place finish in the individual championships, he did manage to secure a gold medal in men’s doubles with the help of Jensome Bascome.

Bray was narrowly defeated by Eduardo Torres from the Cayman Islands in three sets with Torres taking the third set tiebreaker 10-7 to take silver.

On the track, Xavier James, Melissa Clarke and Shianne Smith all picked up a pair of medals each, while Terrance Armstrong had the distinction of being Bermuda’s first medal winner at the Games with a gold in the men’s half marathon.

Bermuda also took gold in both the men and women’s half marathon events, while Dawn Richardson and Albert Donowa claimed bronze in their respective individual races.

The Island’s cycling team also secured a healthy yield of medals with Geri Mewett, Garth Thomson and Deanna McMullen all enjoying podium finishes.