Gillian Clark

Gillian Margaret Clark (born 2 September 1961) is an English badminton commentator and former badminton player who specialized in doubles.

Career Clark was awarded Distinguished Service Award by the International Badminton Federation in 1995.

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.

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 Clark has been the lead commentator for the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for the past 25 years. After her competitive career in badminton, Clark transitioned to broadcasting. She is known for her catchphrase, "I don't believe it," and is frequently called "Oma Gill" by many fans.

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.

Achievements

World Championships Women's doubles Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result 1983Brøndbyhallen, Copenhagen, Denmark Gillian Gilks Lin Ying Wu Dixi 3–15, 17–18 Bronze Bronze

Mixed doubles Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result 1993 National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England Nick Ponting Thomas Lund Catrine Bengtsson 8–15, 15–18 Bronze Bronze

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 Bronze 1984 Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia Nora Perry Wu Jianqiu Xu Rong 15–12, 9–15, 10–15 Bronze Bronze 1991 Macau Forum, Macau Nettie Nielsen Hwang Hye-young Chung So-young 5–15, 16–18 Bronze Bronze 1992 Guangdong Gymnasium, Guangzhou, China Christine Magnusson Lin Yanfen Yao Fen Bronze 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 Silver 1987 Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Steen Fladberg Wang Pengren Shi Fangjing 11–15, 15–1, 4–15 Silver Silver 1990 Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia Henrik Svarrer Rudy Gunawan Rosiana Tendean 11–15, 9–15 Bronze Bronze 1993 Indira Gandhi Arena, New Delhi, India Nick Ponting Peter Axelsson Gillian Gowers 12–15, 11–15 Bronze Bronze

Commonwealth Games Women's singles Year Venue Opponent Score Result 1982 Chandler Sports Hall, Brisbane, Australia Karen Beckman Walkover Bronze Bronze 1986 Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland Denyse Julien 11–3, 11–3 Bronze Bronze

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 Silver 1986 Meadowbank Sports Centre,Edinburgh, Scotland Gillian Gowers Denyse Julien Johanne Falardeau 15–6, 15–7 Gold Gold 1990 Auckland Badminton Hall,Auckland, New Zealand Gillian Gowers Fiona Smith Sara Sankey 14–18, 15–2, 9–15 Silver Silver 1994 McKinnon Gym, Victoria, Canada Julie Bradbury Joanne Muggeridge Joanne Wright 9–15, 11–15 Silver Silver

Mixed doubles Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result 1990 Auckland Badminton Hall,Auckland, New Zealand Andy Goode Steve Baddeley Gillian Gowers Walkover Bronze Bronze 1994 McKinnon Gym, Victoria, Canada Chris Hunt Simon Archer Julie Bradbury 15–11, 15–4 Gold Gold

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 Gold 1984 Guild Hall, Preston, England Karen Chapman Karen Beckman Gillian Gilks 15–17, 15–12, 15–2 Gold Gold 1986 Fyrishallen, Uppsala, Sweden Gillian Gowers Dorte Kjær Nettie Nielsen 15–11, 15–12 Gold Gold 1988 Badmintonsenteret, Kristiansand, Norway Julie Munday Dorte Kjær Nettie Nielsen 7–15, 4–15 Silver Silver 1990 Luzhniki, Moscow, Soviet Union Gillian Gowers Eline Coene Erica van Dijck 10–15, 15–11, 15–17 Bronze Bronze 1994 Maaspoort Sports and Events, Den Bosch, Netherlands Julie Bradbury Lim Xiaoqing Christine Magnusson 11–15, 15–12, 14–16 Bronze Bronze

Mixed doubles Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result 1984 Guild Hall, Preston, England Nigel Tier Martin Dew Gillian Gilks 11–15, 8–15 Bronze Bronze 1988 Badmintonsenteret, Kristiansand, Norway Steen Fladberg Alex Meijer Erica van Dijck 17–16, 4–15, 15–10 Gold Gold

European Junior Championships Girls' doubles Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result 1979 Carl Diem Halle,Mülheim an der Ruhr, West Germany Sally Leadbeater Charlotte Pilgaard Bettina Kristensen 15–12, 15–9 Gold Gold

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 Sara Sankey 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 Year Tournament Opponent Score Result 1981 French Open Svetlana Belyasova 12–10, 6–11, 7–11 Runner-up 1983 Silver Bowl International Gillian Gowers 6–11, 4–11 Runner-up 1983 Auckland International Gillian Gowers Winner

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 India Open Gillian Gilks Karen Chapman Jane Webster 15–1, 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 1984 Dutch Masters Nora Perry Lin Ying Wu Dixi 4–15, 9–15 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 Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result 1979 Czechoslovakian International Andy Goode Kenneth Larsen Charlotte Pilgaard 9–15, 6–15 Runner-up 1982 Welsh Open Mike Tredgett Dipak Tailor Nora Perry 14–18, 11–15 Runner-up 1991 Spanish International Andy Goode David Serrano Eshter Sanz 15–7, 15–3 Winner