Edinburgh’s Martin Campbell, bronze medallist in October’s Commonwealth Youth Games in India, and partner Angus Gilmour from Troon, are the new European Men’s (under 19) doubles No.1s after winning the Belgian Open in Herstal yesterday.

Dominant in the earlier rounds, the top seeded Scottish pair beat Austrians Paul Demmelmayer and Bernd Thorman 21-17 21-15 in the final.

“This is a really big title for us because it’s the first European tournament we’ve won,” said 18 year old Campbell.

“We won the Northumberland International a few weeks after coming back from India but most of the players in the draw were from England.  Whereas this was more of an international tournament and we beat top pairs from Belgium and Russia as well as from Austria in the final.” 

“The guys we beat in the final we hadn’t played before so they were new to us,” said Gilmour:  “It’s good to get the victories against them and also good that we didn’t drop a set in the whole competition.” 

Both players have been full timers for the past season and are members of Badminton Scotland’s Junior High Performance squad. Campbell has been supported by the East of Scotland Institute of Sport for the past four years. Gilmour has been with the West of Scotland Institute of Sport for five.

“The West Institute has given me a massive amount of support in every area,” said Gilmour.  “They financially support my badminton coaching, give me strength and conditioning training, psychology and nutritional help.”

Today the pair was confirmed as the European Men’s (under 19) doubles No.1s, a great reward for their commitment. 

“It’s fantastic to be No.1,” said Gilmour. “It will be a big confidence boost for us preparing for the European Junior Championships in April (Milan).

“We are definitely hoping to get a medal there and if we work hard there should be no reason why we can’t.”