British Wrestling is pleased to announce that Derek Redmond has joined the Board as an additional director. Derek was appointed following his involvement in the search for a new Chair. He impressed the Nominations Committee with his energy, enthusiasm and experience.
Derek is one of Britain’s most famous athletes, having broken the British 400m record on two occasions. Derek was one of the country’s best athletes during the 1980s and 1990s. A key member of the relay squad that won gold at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo, he competed at the highest level for over a decade.
Perhaps most famously, in the 1992 Olympics 400m semi-final Derek went into the race amongst the favourites but as he passed the 250m mark he tore his hamstring. Determined to finish the race he hobbled to the finish line with the help of his father as a 65,000-strong crowd cheered him on. This incident has since been voted one of the Olympics’ most inspirational moments by US network NBC and even referenced by Barack Obama in a presidential speech.
This injury signalled an end to his athletics career, but, committed to not letting his injury keep him down, he has since played basketball for England and played rugby 7s. Derek now works as an internationally acclaimed keynote, and motivational speaker and media personality.
Derek will provide support in the areas of performance and pathway development from his many years experience in a range of performance environments.
Derek said,
“I am delighted to be accepted as a NED for the BWA, I am hoping all my sporting experience can be put to good use and help the development of this great sport”
Chair Steven Esom said,
“I’m pleased to welcome Derek on to the Board of British Wrestling his experience in a multitude of sports at a variety of levels will bring invaluable experience and perspective as we look to grow wrestling and develop our performance pathway.”
