Gillian Clark (badminton)
British badminton player (born 1961)
Badminton player
Gillian Clark Clark in 2017
Birth name Gillian Margaret Clark Country England Born (1961-09-02 ) 2 September 1961 (age 63) Baghdad , Iraqi Republic [ 1] Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) Handedness Right Event Women's & Mixed doubles BWF profile
Gillian Margaret Clark MBE (born 2 September 1961) is an English badminton commentator and former badminton player who specialized in doubles.[ 2]
Career
Clark was awarded Distinguished Service Award by the International Badminton Federation in 1995.[ 3]
World Championships
Clark won two bronze medals at the World Championships a decade apart; for women's doubles in 1983 , and for mixed doubles in 1993 .
Olympic Games
Clark competed in badminton at the 1992 Summer Olympics in women's doubles with Julie Bradbury . In the first round they defeated Erma Sulistianingsih and Rosiana Tendean of Indonesia and in the second round Katrin Schmidt and Kerstin Ubben of Germany. In the quarterfinals they were beaten by the eventual gold medalists, Hwang Hye-young and Chung So-young of Korea, 5–15, 5–15.
All England Championship
She reached the finals of the prestigious All England Open Championships ; in the 1985 mixed doubles with Thomas Kihlström , the 1990 doubles with Gillian Gowers and 1994 the mixed with Chris Hunt .
Commonwealth Games
Clark has won twelve Commonwealth Games medals spanning four Games from 1982 until 1994. The medal breakdown was six gold medals (one with Gillian Gowers in the doubles, one with Chris Hunt in the mixed doubles and four in the team event), three silver medals all in the doubles and three bronze medals in the singles and mixed doubles.[ 4] [ 5] [ 6] [ 7]
European Championships
She won four gold medals at the biennial European Championships ; three consecutively (1982, 1984, and 1986) in women's doubles and one in mixed doubles (1988).
Personal life
Today Gillian Margaret Clark a.k.a. Gill Clark is known as the “voice of badminton” and she has been the lead commentator for the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for the past 25 years. Clark as a former world No. 1 and a six-time Commonwealth Games gold medal winner has experienced making the transition to a leading badminton commentator challenging in the beginning. Gillian overcame the challenges, gradually becoming a worldwide beloved figure in the commentary booth called "oma Gill" by many. Her signature catchphrase, “I don’t believe it,” has become synonymous with extraordinary moments on the badminton court.
Clark was harassed by a stalker for more than 10 years since 2001. The perpetrator was diagnosed with persistent delusional personality disorder and jailed for 2 years.[ 8]
Achievements
World Championships
Women's doubles
Mixed doubles
World Cup
Women's doubles
Year
Venue
Partner
Opponent
Score
Result
1983
Stadium Negara , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
Gillian Gilks
Wu Jianqiu Xu Rong
5–15, 3–15
Bronze
1984
Istora Senayan , Jakarta , Indonesia
Nora Perry
Wu Jianqiu Xu Rong
15–12, 9–15, 10–15
Bronze
1991
Macau Forum , Macau
Nettie Nielsen
Hwang Hye-young Chung So-young
5–15, 16–18
Bronze
1992
Guangdong Gymnasium, Guangzhou , China
Christine Magnusson
Lin Yanfen Yao Fen
Bronze
Mixed doubles
Year
Venue
Partner
Opponent
Score
Result
1986
Istora Senayan , Jakarta , Indonesia
Steen Fladberg
Eddy Hartono Verawaty Fadjrin
8–15, 15–17
Silver
1987
Stadium Negara , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
Steen Fladberg
Wang Pengren Shi Fangjing
11–15, 15–1, 4–15
Silver
1990
Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia
Henrik Svarrer
Rudy Gunawan Rosiana Tendean
11–15, 9–15
Bronze
1993
Indira Gandhi Arena , New Delhi , India
Nick Ponting
Peter Axelsson Gillian Gowers
12–15, 11–15
Bronze
Commonwealth Games
Women's singles
Women's doubles
Year
Venue
Partner
Opponent
Score
Result
1982
Chandler Sports Hall , Brisbane , Australia
Karen Beckman
Claire Backhouse-Sharpe Johanne Falardeau
15–13, 16–18, 4–15
Silver
1986
Meadowbank Sports Centre ,Edinburgh , Scotland
Gillian Gowers
Denyse Julien Johanne Falardeau
15–6, 15–7
Gold
1990
Auckland Badminton Hall,Auckland , New Zealand
Gillian Gowers
Fiona Smith Sara Sankey
14–18, 15–2, 9–15
Silver
1994
McKinnon Gym, Victoria , Canada
Julie Bradbury
Joanne Muggeridge Joanne Wright
9–15, 11–15
Silver
Mixed doubles
European Championships
Women's doubles
Year
Venue
Partner
Opponent
Score
Result
1982
Sporthalle , Böblingen , West Germany
Gillian Gilks
Nora Perry Jane Webster
15–3, 15–11
Gold
1984
Guild Hall , Preston , England
Karen Chapman
Karen Beckman Gillian Gilks
15–17, 15–12, 15–2
Gold
1986
Fyrishallen , Uppsala , Sweden
Gillian Gowers
Dorte Kjær Nettie Nielsen
15–11, 15–12
Gold
1988
Badmintonsenteret, Kristiansand , Norway
Julie Munday
Dorte Kjær Nettie Nielsen
7–15, 4–15
Silver
1990
Luzhniki , Moscow , Soviet Union
Gillian Gowers
Eline Coene Erica van Dijck
10–15, 15–11, 15–17
Bronze
1994
Maaspoort Sports and Events , Den Bosch , Netherlands
Julie Bradbury
Lim Xiaoqing Christine Magnusson
11–15, 15–12, 14–16
Bronze
Mixed doubles
European Junior Championships
Girls' doubles
IBF World Grand Prix (26 titles, 25 runners-up)
The World Badminton Grand Prix sanctioned by International Badminton Federation (IBF) since 1983.
Women's doubles
Year
Tournament
Partner
Opponent
Score
Result
1983
Japan Open
Gillian Gilks
Nora Perry Jane Webster
15–6, 15–8
Winner
1983
Dutch Open
Gillian Gilks
Sally Podger Karen Chapman
15–8, 17–16
Winner
1984
German Open
Karen Chapman
Karen Beckman Gillian Gilks
14–17, 14–18
Runner-up
1984
Malaysia Open
Christine Magnusson
Wu Jianqiu Guan Weizhen
10–15, 13–15
Runner-up
1985
Chinese Taipei Open
Nora Perry
Karen Beckman Gillian Gilks
10–15, 17–14, 15–0
Winner
1985
Dutch Open
Gillian Gowers
Eline Coene Erica van Dijck
15–4, 15–2
Winner
1985
Malaysia Open
Gillian Gowers
Verawaty Fadjrin Dwi Elmyati
15–10, 15–11
Winner
1985
India Open
Gillian Gowers
Hwang Sun-ae Kang Haeng-suk
7–15, 12–15
Runner-up
1985
English Masters
Gillian Gowers
Karen Beckman Sara Sankey
11–15, 5–15
Runner-up
1986
Carlton-Intersport-Cup
Gillian Gowers
Dorte Kjær Nettie Nielsen
15–9, 15–11
Winner
1986
Denmark Open
Gillian Gowers
Zheng Yuli Gu Jiaming
9–15, 18–15, 17–16
Winner
1986
English Masters
Gillian Gowers
Maria Bengtsson Christine Magnusson
5–15, 11–15
Runner-up
1987
Poona Open
Gillian Gowers
Sarwendah Kusumawardhani Erma Sulistianingsih
15–3, 15–5
Winner
1987
German Open
Gillian Gowers
Lin Ying Guan Weizhen
6–15, 10–15
Runner-up
1987
English Masters
Gillian Gowers
Dorte Kjær Nettie Nielsen
8–15, 12–15
Runner-up
1987
Denmark Open
Gillian Gowers
Atsuko Tokuda Yoshiko Yonekura
7–15, 10–15
Runner-up
1988
Japan Open
Gillian Gowers
Chung Myung-hee Chung So-young
2–15, 15–7, 6–15
Runner-up
1988
German Open
Gillian Gowers
Lao Yujing Zheng Yuli
8–15, 15–3, 4–15
Runner-up
1988
Dutch Open
Sara Sankey
Dorte Kjær Nettie Nielsen
9–15, 15–9, 15–6
Winner
1988
English Masters
Gillian Gowers
Lin Ying Guan Weizhen
6–15, 8–15
Runner-up
1988
Scottish Open
Sara Sankey
Dorte Kjær Gitte Paulsen
Walkover
Winner
1989
Japan Open
Julie Munday
Chung Myung-hee Chung So-young
15–4, 10–15, 15–3
Winner
1989
Poona Open
Sara Sankey
Maria Bengtsson Christine Magnusson
4–15, 15–13, 4–15
Runner-up
1989
German Open
Gillian Gowers
Erma Sulistianingsih Rosiana Tendean
15–10, 2–15, 9–15
Runner-up
1989
Dutch Open
Gillian Gowers
Pernille Dupont Grete Mogensen
11–15, 9–15
Runner-up
1989
Scottish Open
Gillian Gowers
Karen Chapman Sara Sankey
15–10, 15–6
Winner
1990
Chinese Taipei Open
Gillian Gowers
Chun Sung-suk Shim Eun-jung
15–3, 15–6
Winner
1990
Finnish Open
Gillian Gowers
Maria Bengtsson Christine Magnusson
12–15, 12–15
Runner-up
1990
All England Open
Gillian Gowers
Chung Myung-hee Hwang Hye-young
15–6, 4–15, 4–15
Runner-up
1990
Singapore Open
Gillian Gowers
Maria Bengtsson Christine Magnusson
15–12, 15–13
Winner
1990
Scottish Open
Gillian Gowers
Catrine Bengtsson Maria Bengtsson
16–18, 11–15
Runner-up
1991
Japan Open
Gillian Gowers
Guan Weizhen Nong Qunhua
6–15, 18–15, 15–9
Winner
1991
Finnish Open
Nettie Nielsen
Pan Li Wu Yuhong
15–9, 14–17, 15–11
Winner
1991
Malaysia Open
Nettie Nielsen
Hwang Hye-young Chung So-young
10–15, 11–15
Runner-up
1991
Swedish Open
Nettie Nielsen
Catrine Bengtsson Maria Bengtsson
13–15, 15–9, 15–10
Winner
1992
Indonesia Open
Gillian Gowers
Erma Sulistianingsih Rosiana Tendean
12–15, 9–15
Runner-up
1992
Singapore Open
Gillian Gowers
Chen Ying Sheng Wenqing
16–18, 15–4, 15–8
Winner
1992
World Grand Prix Finals
Gillian Gowers
Lin Yanfen Yao Fen
7–15, 16–17
Runner-up
1993
Swiss Open
Joanne Wright
Marina Andrievskaya Marina Yakusheva
15–8, 15–7
Winner
Mixed doubles
Year
Tournament
Partner
Opponent
Score
Result
1984
Malaysia Open
Martin Dew
Nigel Tier Gillian Gowers
15–6, 15–5
Winner
1985
All England Open
Thomas Kihlström
Billy Gilliland Nora Perry
10–15, 12–15
Runner-up
1986
Indonesia Open
Steen Fladberg
Steve Baddeley Gillian Gowers
15–4, 15–5
Winner
1987
Chinese Taipei Open
Steen Fladberg
Billy Gilliland Gillian Gowers
15–7, 14–18, 15–5
Winner
1987
Malaysia Open
Steen Fladberg
Billy Gilliland Gillian Gowers
15–7, 15–6
Winner
1988
Poona Open
Steen Fladberg
Nils Skeby Dorte Kjær
15–8, 15–6
Winner
1988
German Open
Steen Fladberg
Martin Dew Gillian Gilks
9–15, 18–14, 15–4
Winner
1988
Thailand Open
Steen Fladberg
Wang Pengren Shi Fangjing
17–14, 4–15, 15–9
Winner
1991
Finnish Open
Max Gandrup
Henrik Svarrer Maria Bengtsson
12–15, 9–15
Runner-up
1993
Chinese Taipei Open
Nick Ponting
Denny Kantono Zelin Resiana
Walkover
Runner-up
1993
World Grand Prix Finals
Nick Ponting
Thomas Lund Catrine Bengtsson
9–15, 7–15
Runner-up
1994
All England Open
Chris Hunt
Nick Ponting Joanne Wright
10–15, 11–15
Runner-up
IBF International
Women's singles
Women's doubles
Year
Tournament
Partner
Opponent
Score
Result
1979
Czechoslovakian International
Sally Leadbeater
Charlotte Pilgaard Kirsten Larsen
15–9, 15–5
Winner
1980
Czechoslovakian International
Kathleen Redhead
Dorte Kjær Pia Nielsen
15–5, 15–5
Winner
1982
Scottish Open
Gillian Gilks
Helen Troke Barbara Sutton
15–3, 15–8
Winner
1982
Indonesia Open
Gillian Gilks
Atsuko Tokuda Yoshiko Yonekura
17–14, 14–17, 15–12
Winner
1982
Canadian Open
Gillian Gilks
Claire Backhouse Johanne Falardeau
17–14, 15–6
Winner
1983
Silver Bowl International
Gillian Gowers
Julie McDonald Audrey Swaby
11–15, 10–15
Runner-up
1983
Auckland International
Gillian Gowers
Julie McDonald Audrey Swaby
Winner
1983
English Masters
Gillian Gilks
Chen Ruizhen Zheng Jian
12–7 retired
Runner-up
1984
Silver Bowl International
Maxine Evans
Claire Backhouse-Sharpe Linda Cloutier
15–9, 17–15
Winner
1984
Auckland International
Maxine Evans
Claire Backhouse-Sharpe Linda Cloutier
15–9, 11–15, 2–15
Runner-up
1984
English Masters
Nora Perry
Lin Ying Wu Dixi
5–15, 1–15
Runner-up
1991
Wimbledon International
Julie Bradbury
Gillian Gowers Sara Sankey
5–15, 15–10, 15–5
Winner
1991
Spanish International
Julie Bradbury
Ciara Doheny Katrin Schmidt
12–15, 15–12, 15–7
Winner
Mixed doubles
References
External links