Derek Talbot

Derek Talbot is a former English badminton player. One of Britain's best ever "all-rounders," he won multiple English National Championships, as well as numerous international titles, in badminton's three events - singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. In partnership with the formidable Gillian Gilks he won three mixed doubles crowns at the prestigious All-England Open (1973, 1976, and 1977).

When he retired from serious competition, he set up his own badminton company called Talbot Torro Badminton.

Contents

Career

World Championships

He won a silver medal in the 1977 IBF World Championships in mixed doubles with Gillian Gilks, losing against Steen Skovgaard and Lene Køppen in the final.

1972 Summer Olympics

Talbot competed in badminton at the 1972 Summer Olympics, where badminton was played as a demonstration sport. In men's doubles he and Elliot Stuart were defeated in the semifinals by Ade Chandra and Christian Hadinata 15-8, 15-12. In mixed doubles he paired with Gillian Gilks and they won the gold medal, beating Svend Pri and Ulla Strand of Denmark in the final 15-6, 18-16.

Commonwealth Games

Derek Talbot was also successful at the Commonwealth Games, he won 4 gold medals, a silver medal and two bronze medals between 1970 and 1978. [1]

Post-Badminton

Towards the latter stages of his badminton career Derek ran a sports shop, which specialised in racket sports, with ex-South African badminton internationalist Eddie Allen in Newcastle. They sold their own Vicourt badminton rackets.

In recent years Derek left his more traditional career behind and ultimately set up the Natural Patient (http://www.naturalpatient.com/about_derek.htm )homeopathic centre in Ibizia.

Major achievements

Rank Event Date Venue
World Championships
2 Mixed doubles 1977 Malmö, SWE
European Championships
1 Mixed doubles 1972 Karlskrona, SWE
1 Mixed doubles 1974 Vienna, AUT
1 Mixed doubles 1976 Dublin, IRE
2 Mixed doubles 1970 Port Talbot, WAL
2 Men's doubles 1972 Karlskrona, SWE
2 Men's doubles 1976 Dublin, IRE
3 Singles 1974 Vienna, AUT
3 Mixed doubles 1980 Groningen, NED
Commonwealth Games
1 Mixed doubles 1970 Edinburgh, SCO
1
1
Men's doubles
Mixed doubles
1974 Christchurch, NZL
1 Team 1978 Edmonton, CAN
2 Singles 1978 Edmonton, CAN
3 Singles 1974 Christchurch, NZL
3 Mixed doubles 1978 Edmonton, CAN
Open Championships
1 Mixed doubles 1973, 1976, 1977 All England Open
2 Mixed doubles 1971, 1972, 1974 All England Open

References