A basketballer from Bedford is celebrating after achieving a bronze medal for Team GB at the World MaxiBasketball Championships, held in Ticino in southern Switzerland, defeating the home nation to take third place.
Leon Thompson, who plays for and manages Bedford Bulls at home, was part of the side that convincingly beat the Swiss 102-74 in the bronze medal match, after earlier clashes against the likes of Brazil, Chile and eventual winners, Estonia.
The World MaxiBasketball Championships, where retired basketball players compete on the world stage, held its 17th edition from 25 June to 6 July and encompassed seven different age categories, from 30 plus to 60 plus, at five year intervals.
It is more commonly known as ‘Masters’ basketball at home in the UK, but whether Masters or Maxi, Thompson and his 35+ team romped home to a bronze medal after navigating a tricky group and knockout stage in the southern most canton of Switzerland.
An opening victory against Brazil was followed by a loss to Estonia, who went on to win the tournament, before a double header against Chile, with Team GB winning one and losing one.
A second victory against Brazil was enough to take Team GB through to the bronze medal match, where they comfortably defeated the hosts, Switzerland.
“This was one of the best experiences of my sporting career”, said Thompson after landing back home.
“To represent Great Britain for the first time was an honour.
“I’ll be using this energy to help push my local club Bedford Bulls forward in our preparation for the 25/26 season where we’ll be playing in Cambridgeshire Division 1.”
The Male 35+ team was the most successful of seven British teams across men’s and women’s Maxi Basketball, with their female counterparts coming fourth – winning the iron medal.
Thompson goes back to the weekend grind of managing Bedford Bulls in the Cambridgeshire League, where they are due to participate in Division One after winning eight of 14 games last season in Division Two.
Then there’s the small matter of the the MaxiBasketball European Championships, due to be held in Athens, Greece beginning on 26 June 2026, where Team GB will be among the favourites to once again challenge for a medal.
