KIRSTY Gilmour proved she was back to her best yesterday as she won her sixth consecutive women’s singles title at the Yonex Scottish National Championships in Perth.

The 23-year-old top seed from Bothwell repeated last year’s final victory over Julie MacPherson, taking just 28 minutes to triumph 21-11, 21-7.

Badmintonscotland’s new head coach, Malaysian Tat Meng Wong, attended all three days of the nationals. She will have been impressed with what she saw of European and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Gilmour, as she disposed of 2015 runner-up Holly Newall in the semi-final 21-8, 21-15 before conquering MacPherson.

This competition was Gilmour’s first tournament since undergoing knee surgery at the end of the Olympics and the 23-year-old is confident that she is back to full fitness.

“I wouldn’t have played the nationals if I wasn’t 100 per cent ready,” said Gilmour. “It’s not just a starter tournament for me. It’s one I want to keep on winning.

“It was really important for me to be fit for this one and I’m really glad that 17 weeks after my operation I am flying around the court as usual.”

Gilmour was back in the thick of things just two hours later, partnering Patrick MacHugh to claim the mixed doubles title. The pair secured a 23-21, 21-16 over Martin Campbell and MacPherson.

That success meant that Gilmour has become the first player since Rita Yuan Gao 15 years ago to hold national titles in three different events.