Gillian Margaret Clark MBE (born 2 September 1961) is an English badminton commentator and former badminton player who specialized in doubles. [2]
Clark won two bronze medals at the World Championships a decade apart; for women's doubles in 1983, and for mixed doubles in 1993.
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.
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.
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. [3] [4] [5] [6]
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).
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. [7]
Women's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1983 | Brøndbyhallen, Copenhagen, Denmark | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 3–15, 17–18 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1993 | National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 8–15, 15–18 | ![]() |
Women's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1983 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 5–15, 3–15 | ![]() |
1984 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–12, 9–15, 10–15 | ![]() |
1991 | Macau Forum, Macau | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 5–15, 16–18 | ![]() |
1992 | Guangdong Gymnasium, Guangzhou, China | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1986 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 8–15, 15–17 | ![]() |
1987 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 11–15, 15–1, 4–15 | ![]() |
1990 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 11–15, 9–15 | ![]() |
1993 | Indira Gandhi Arena, New Delhi, India | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 12–15, 11–15 | ![]() |
Women's singles
Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1982 | Chandler Sports Hall, Brisbane, Australia | ![]() | Walkover | ![]() |
1986 | Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland | ![]() | 11–3, 11–3 | ![]() |
Women's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1982 | Chandler Sports Hall, Brisbane, Australia | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–13, 16–18, 4–15 | ![]() |
1986 | Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–6, 15–7 | ![]() |
1990 | Auckland Badminton Hall, Auckland, New Zealand | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 14–18, 15–2, 9–15 | ![]() |
1994 | McKinnon Gym, Victoria, Canada | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 9–15, 11–15 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | Auckland Badminton Hall, Auckland, New Zealand | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | Walkover | ![]() |
1994 | McKinnon Gym, Victoria, Canada | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–11, 15–4 | ![]() |
Women's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1982 | Sporthalle, Böblingen, West Germany | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–3, 15–11 | ![]() |
1984 | Guild Hall, Preston, England | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–17, 15–12, 15–2 | ![]() |
1986 | Fyrishallen, Uppsala, Sweden | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–11, 15–12 | ![]() |
1988 | Badmintonsenteret, Kristiansand, Norway | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 7–15, 4–15 | ![]() |
1990 | Luzhniki, Moscow, Soviet Union | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 10–15, 15–11, 15–17 | ![]() |
1994 | Maaspoort Sports and Events, Den Bosch, Netherlands | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 11–15, 15–12, 14–16 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1984 | Guild Hall, Preston, England | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 11–15, 8–15 | ![]() |
1988 | Badmintonsenteret, Kristiansand, Norway | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 17–16, 4–15, 15–10 | ![]() |
Girls' doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1979 | Mülheim an der Ruhr, West Germany | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–12, 15–9 | ![]() |
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 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–6, 15–8 | ![]() |
1983 | Dutch Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–8, 17–16 | ![]() |
1984 | German Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 14–17, 14–18 | ![]() |
1984 | Malaysia Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 10–15, 13–15 | ![]() |
1985 | Chinese Taipei Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 10–15, 17–14, 15–0 | ![]() |
1985 | Dutch Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–4, 15–2 | ![]() |
1985 | Malaysia Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–10, 15–11 | ![]() |
1985 | India Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 7–15, 12–15 | ![]() |
1985 | English Masters | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 11–15, 5–15 | ![]() |
1986 | Carlton-Intersport-Cup | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–9, 15–11 | ![]() |
1986 | Denmark Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 9–15, 18–15, 17–16 | ![]() |
1986 | English Masters | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 5–15, 11–15 | ![]() |
1987 | Poona Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–3, 15–5 | ![]() |
1987 | German Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–15, 10–15 | ![]() |
1987 | English Masters | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 8–15, 12–15 | ![]() |
1987 | Denmark Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 7–15, 10–15 | ![]() |
1988 | Japan Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 2–15, 15–7, 6–15 | ![]() |
1988 | German Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 8–15, 15–3, 4–15 | ![]() |
1988 | Dutch Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 9–15, 15–9, 15–6 | ![]() |
1988 | English Masters | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–15, 8–15 | ![]() |
1988 | Scottish Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | Walkover | ![]() |
1989 | Japan Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–4, 10–15, 15–3 | ![]() |
1989 | Poona Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 4–15, 15–13, 4–15 | ![]() |
1989 | German Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–10, 2–15, 9–15 | ![]() |
1989 | Dutch Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 11–15, 9–15 | ![]() |
1989 | Scottish Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–10, 15–6 | ![]() |
1990 | Chinese Taipei Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–3, 15–6 | ![]() |
1990 | Finnish Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 12–15, 12–15 | ![]() |
1990 | All England Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–6, 4–15, 4–15 | ![]() |
1990 | Singapore Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–12, 15–13 | ![]() |
1990 | Scottish Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 16–18, 11–15 | ![]() |
1991 | Japan Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–15, 18–15, 15–9 | ![]() |
1991 | Finnish Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–9, 14–17, 15–11 | ![]() |
1991 | Malaysia Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 10–15, 11–15 | ![]() |
1991 | Swedish Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 13–15, 15–9, 15–10 | ![]() |
1992 | Indonesia Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 12–15, 9–15 | ![]() |
1992 | Singapore Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 16–18, 15–4, 15–8 | ![]() |
1992 | World Grand Prix Finals | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 7–15, 16–17 | ![]() |
1993 | Swiss Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–8, 15–7 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1984 | Malaysia Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–6, 15–5 | ![]() |
1985 | All England Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 10–15, 12–15 | ![]() |
1986 | Indonesia Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–4, 15–5 | ![]() |
1987 | Chinese Taipei Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–7, 14–18, 15–5 | ![]() |
1987 | Malaysia Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–7, 15–6 | ![]() |
1988 | Poona Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–8, 15–6 | ![]() |
1988 | German Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 9–15, 18–14, 15–4 | ![]() |
1988 | Thailand Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 17–14, 4–15, 15–9 | ![]() |
1991 | Finnish Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 12–15, 9–15 | ![]() |
1993 | Chinese Taipei Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | Walkover | ![]() |
1993 | World Grand Prix Finals | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 9–15, 7–15 | ![]() |
1994 | All England Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 10–15, 11–15 | ![]() |
Women's singles
Year | Tournament | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1981 | French Open | ![]() | ![]() |
Women's doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1979 | Czechoslovakian International | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–9, 15–5 | ![]() |
1980 | Czechoslovakian International | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–5, 15–5 | ![]() |
1982 | Scottish Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–3, 15–8 | ![]() |
1982 | Indonesia Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 17–14, 14–17, 15–12 | ![]() |
1982 | Canadian Open | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 17–14, 15–6 | ![]() |
1983 | English Masters | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 12–7 retired | ![]() |
1984 | English Masters | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 5–15, 1–15 | ![]() |
1991 | Wimbledon International | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 5–15, 15–10, 15–5 | ![]() |
1991 | Spanish International | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 12–15, 15–12, 15–7 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1979 | Czechoslovakian International | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 9–15, 6–15 | ![]() |
1991 | Spanish International | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 15–7, 15–3 | ![]() |
Gail Elizabeth Emms MBE is a retired English badminton player who has achieved international success in doubles tournaments. A badminton player since the age of four, Emms was first chosen to represent England in 1995 and regularly played for her country until her retirement from professional sport in 2008.
Donna Victoria Kellogg, is an English former badminton player. She is the European Champion, winning the women's doubles titles in 2000, 2006 and the mixed doubles title in 2008. She won the silver medal at the 2006 World Championships. Kellogg also won the women's doubles title at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, and was part of the England winning team at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Simon David Archer MBE is an English former badminton player. Archer once held the world record for the fastest smash at 162 mph.
Gillian Gilks is an English former badminton player who won numerous major titles in all three events between the late 1960s and the mid-1980s.
Julie Jane Bradbury is a former English badminton player who represented Great Britain at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. She was part of the national mixed team that won the gold medal at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, also captured the silver medals in the mixed and women's doubles events. Along with those sporting achievements she is only the second person to hold all five titles in all three disciplines of badminton at the English National Championships. She reached a career high as world No. 1 in the mixed doubles and No. 4 in the women's doubles.
Karen Beckmannée Bridge was a female badminton player of England.
Nigel Tier is an English retired badminton player.
Gillian Gowers is an English retired badminton player.
Nicholas Ponting is a former professional badminton player from England.
Margaret Beck was a badminton player from England who ranked among the world's best during most of the 1970s.
Fiona Smith is an English former badminton player.
Ashwini Ponnappa Machimanda is an Indian badminton player who represents the country at the international badminton circuit in both the women's and mixed doubles disciplines. She had a successful partnership with Jwala Gutta as the pair has won many medals in international events including a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and bronze medals at the Uber Cup and the Asian Badminton Championships. They were consistently ranked among the top 20 in the BWF World Ranking reaching as high as no. 10. Ponnappa and Gutta also won the bronze medal at the BWF World Championships in 2011, becoming the first Indian pair and women and only the second overall to win a medal at the World Championships.
Michelle Li is a Canadian badminton player. Li is the 2014 Commonwealth Games champion and the first Canadian to win an individual gold medal in women's singles badminton at the Commonwealth Games. She has won gold in both singles and doubles at the Pan American Games and won the singles and team event titles from the Pan American Badminton Championships. As a competitor for Ontario, Li also won singles, doubles, and mixed team titles at the 2011 Canada Winter Games.
Trupti Murgunde is an Indian Badminton player who plays singles & doubles. She is a Dhyan Chand Awardee. The shuttler, who was born in Pune, has won the 2009 National Championship for women after remaining runners up for 3 times. She was also senior nationals doubles runner-up and junior national doubles champion. Trupti is also a five times South Asian Games gold medalist, including twice in singles in 2004 and 2006. Known for her deceptive strokes, she has also bagged 6 international titles in singles in BWF events from 1999 to 2014. Trupti is also a Commonwealth Games Bronze Medalist in Team Event at Melbourne in 2006. She, along with Saina Nehwal, reached the semi-finals of the women's doubles event in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games but lost in the Bronze Medal Playoff.
Rachel Honderich is a Canadian badminton player from Toronto, Ontario. She has been one of the top ranked women's individual and doubles player on the continent and a contender in major international competitions. She is a vice-national champion in women's singles and has won several international titles since 2010.
Chloe Francesca Hannah Birch is an English badminton player.
Ben Lane is an English badminton player. He won the men's doubles silver medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, 2023 European Games, and also a bronze medal in the European Championships.
Terry Hee Yong Kai is a Singaporean badminton player. In mixed doubles with Jessica Tan, Hee won his first World Tour title at the 2022 India Open. Hee together with Jessica Tan also won the gold medal in the mixed doubles event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, a first for Singapore in that discipline at the Games. Terry Hee and his wife Jessica Tan were nominated for the Straits Times Singaporean of the Year Award 2022. Terry Hee and Jessica Tan are Singapore's first local-born mixed doubles duo to qualify for the Olympics, and will make their debut at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Georges Julien Paul is a Mauritian badminton player. Paul took part at the 2014 African Youth Games, and won three gold medals in the individual event. He was part of the national team that won the gold medal at the 2015 African Games. Paul won the men's singles title at the 2018 and 2020 African Championships.
Sara Sankey née Sara Halsall is a retired English badminton player.