Black Belt Archive .
Derek Gilmour
Achivied Black from Bathgate gym in 1987
Quick Info.
Derek Gilmour commenced training in mid December 1983. At 11 years old Derek had a natural ability that would see him progress to become one of the youngest and most skilled 3rd Degrees in this country.
Throughout the grades Derek demonstrated his potential to the full, quickly moving up the grades. At just 15 years of age Derek attained his Black Belt, the first junior to do so at the Black Belt Academy in Bathgate grading under Master Sutherland in March 1992. Derek is 5th Degree Black Belt and International Instructor running his own very successful schools in Linlithgow and Falkirk.
On several occasions Derek represented his country, at the Canadian Open in Toronto Derek as part of the Scottish team. He was also a member of the national squad at the Open World Championships and also trained under the late founder General Choi Hong Hi 9th Degree on several occasions.
Derek best performance must have been at the 1989 English Championships. There as a 17 year old he took two silver medals and a gold. This was a great achievement as he won these medals in the senior black belt division, silver in middle weight sparring and also in senior black belt pattern. The Gold came from senior black belt destruction with a combination of reverse knife hand, jumping turning kick and an incredible 360 degree jumping back kick, each technique breaking several inches of wood. Derek carried on his success story collecting a clutch of medals at many other championships.
Derek trained tirelessly at the Academy in Bathgate at least 4 nights a week. He also attended every black belt squad training session.
Competition History.