Gilberto (Gil) Diaz

Gilberto (Gil) Diaz was a kickboxer (full-contact and semi-contact) from Portugal noted for being Jean-Claude Van Damme's second opponent at the 2nd WAKO World Championships in Tampa, Florida at Hillsborough Community College on November 3rd and 4th, 1979.

Diaz trained in Tae Kwon Do and competed in Brazil, Bolivia, and Ecuador in tournaments sanctioned by the PATU (Pan-American Tae Kwon Do Union), under the leadership of Don Morrow. Diaz also competed in promotions sanctioned by the WAKO.

In 1979, Diaz traveled to Florida to fight in the 2nd WAKO World Championships. Diaz won his opening match, a 2-round decision over France's Edmans Lawrence. However, in his next match, Diaz suffered a knee injury and was stopped in less then half a minute by Van Damme.

Following his defeat in the United States, Diaz competed in WAKO championships in Europe, but suffered defeated to Patrick Teugels and multiple world champion (69kg) Andreas Brannasch.

See also

• List of male kickboxers

References

• Tre Today News, December 31, 2007: Article: JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME.
• Internet Movie Data Base profile for Jean-Claude Van Damme.