Thelma Kingsbury
Encyclopedia
Thelma Kingsbury was an English-born, USA naturalized, sportswoman who won major badminton
titles in the British Isles and then in the USA from the mid 1930s to the early 1950s. Equally adept in singles and doubles she won two women's singles titles and four women's doubles titles at the prestigious All-England Championships
between 1933 and 1937. In the 1935-1936 season she achieved a British "Grand Slam" by winning the open singles titles of England
, Ireland
, Scotland
, and Wales
. After emigrating from Britain to the USA she won the U.S. women's singles title
in 1941 and shared the U.S. women's doubles title
with Janet Wright in 1941, 1947, 1948, 1949, and 1950. Though well past 30 by the early 1950s she continued to play highly competitive singles matches against such formidable opponents as Ethel Marshall
, Margaret Varner, and a teenage Judy Devlin (Hashman)
. Thelma Kingsbury was among the initial class of players elected to the U.S. Badminton Hall of Fame
in 1956.
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
titles in the British Isles and then in the USA from the mid 1930s to the early 1950s. Equally adept in singles and doubles she won two women's singles titles and four women's doubles titles at the prestigious All-England Championships
All England Open Badminton Championships
The All England Open Badminton Championships, or simply All England, is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious badminton tournaments. Played annually, it developed after the success of world's first badminton tournament held in Guildford in 1898...
between 1933 and 1937. In the 1935-1936 season she achieved a British "Grand Slam" by winning the open singles titles of England
All England Open Badminton Championships
The All England Open Badminton Championships, or simply All England, is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious badminton tournaments. Played annually, it developed after the success of world's first badminton tournament held in Guildford in 1898...
, Ireland
Irish International (badminton)
The Irish International in badminton is an international open held in Ireland since 1902 and is thereby one of the oldest badminton tournaments in the world. It was interrupted by the two World Wars. This tournament is currently a part of the European Badminton Circuit.-21st century:Below is the...
, Scotland
Scottish Open (badminton)
The Scottish Open in badminton is an open international championships held in Scotland since 1907 and is thereby one of the oldest badminton tournaments in the world. The tournament was halted during the two World Wars.-21st century:...
, and Wales
Welsh International Badminton Championships
The Welsh International Badminton Championships is an international badminton championship held in Wales since 1928 and is thereby one of the oldest badminton tournaments in the world. The tournament was halted during the World War II, between 1960 and 1966, and in 1971...
. After emigrating from Britain to the USA she won the U.S. women's singles title
U.S. National Badminton Championships
The U.S. National Badminton Championships is a tournament organized by USA Badminton and held annually to crown the best badminton players in the United States....
in 1941 and shared the U.S. women's doubles title
U.S. National Badminton Championships
The U.S. National Badminton Championships is a tournament organized by USA Badminton and held annually to crown the best badminton players in the United States....
with Janet Wright in 1941, 1947, 1948, 1949, and 1950. Though well past 30 by the early 1950s she continued to play highly competitive singles matches against such formidable opponents as Ethel Marshall
Ethel Marshall
Ethel Marshall is a former American badminton player noted for her mobility and shot-making prowess.-Career:She won the US Women's Singles title on all seven occasions that she contested it , defeating seventeen year old Judy Devlin in the last of these...
, Margaret Varner, and a teenage Judy Devlin (Hashman)
Judy Devlin
Judy Devlin is a former badminton player who won more major international titles than any other player of her era....
. Thelma Kingsbury was among the initial class of players elected to the U.S. Badminton Hall of Fame
Badminton Hall of Fame
The Badminton Hall of Fame honors players who have shown exceptional skill at badminton, all-time great coaches and referees, and other major contributors to the game.There is also a USA Badminton Hall of Fame and a Badminton Canada's Hall of Fame ....
in 1956.