For Barbados squash champion Margot Prow, winning the country’s first gold medal at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games is still a moment she is trying to fully process.
Days after defeating fellow Barbadian Meagan Best in a historic all-Barbadian women’s singles final in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Prow admitted the magnitude of the achievement had yet to completely sink in.
“It feels amazing, but it’s not quite sunk in yet,” she told the Nation Sports. “There’s been so much hard work and preparation and, you know, thinking going into these Games and, yeah, to know that I was able to go in as the top seed and come away with the gold, yeah, I’m super, super proud and so happy to do that for Barbados.”
Prow’s victory delivered Barbados’ first gold medal of the Games and headlined an impressive showing by the national team. The triumph came after she and Best successfully negotiated opposite halves of the draw to guarantee Barbados both the gold and silver medals before the final had even been played.
For Prow, the dream scenario was one she and Best had quietly hoped for from the moment the tournament seedings were announced.
“When we got the seeding and knowing that I was the top seed and she was a 5-8 seed, we were both kind of just hoping that if we did come across each other, it would be in the final,” she explained. “Thankfully, that worked out the way it did.”
The pair’s remarkable run reflected not only their individual quality but also the close bond they share off the court. Throughout the tournament, each drew confidence from the other’s success as they edged closer to an unprecedented Barbadian showdown for the title.
“We were both riding with so much confidence,” Prow said. “At the same time, we were kind of pushing each other on to get to the final because that would be amazing. Two Bajans in the final, two medals guaranteed. It was super positive and supportive all the way through.”
The final also represented a personal breakthrough for Prow.
Best had won each of their previous three meetings, including successive Barbados national finals and last year’s Caribbean Championships, leaving Prow determined to reverse the trend on one of the biggest stages of her career.
“I’ve never beaten Megan,” she admitted. “I was going in knowing I was already three-love down in our head-to-heads, but also knowing I’d put in more preparation than ever before to get there.”
The contest proved fitting for such an occasion, with Prow finally overcoming her compatriot to capture the coveted title.
She believes the match was significant beyond the medals, providing unprecedented exposure for Barbadian and Caribbean squash.
“It’s always a shame when we play Nationals that not everyone gets to see it,” she said. “The fact that we were able to do it on the big stage and the whole Caribbean, the whole of Barbados, were able to see it, I think that was super special for us, but also super special for the growth of squash in the Caribbean.”
The celebrations, however, were short-lived.
Less than 24 hours after standing atop the podium, Prow and Best reunited as doubles partners but suffered a first-round defeat to Guatemala’s pair. While disappointed, Prow said neither she nor Best intended to dwell on the setback.
“We went in again with the same excitement and confidence,” she said. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t put together a performance to get us over the line. We are feeling a little disappointed, but at the same time we’re making sure we’re putting that behind us.”
With the team competition still to come, Barbados’ newest CAC champion is determined that her golden moment will be only the beginning of an even more memorable Games. (SW)
Margot Prow battled past her local rival and claimed Barbados’ First Gold At 2026 CAC Games. (GP)