David G. Freeman
Encyclopedia
Dr. David G. Freeman was an American badminton
player from California
who became an icon in the sport's history.
on his only try (1949) and remains the sole American to win the men's singles there. In this one-time-only badminton stint in Europe he also won Thomas Cup
singles matches against eventual champion Malaya
, and captured the Danish Open. In all, he won three matches each against Ooi Teik Hock
and the very formidable Wong Peng Soon
. After apparently retiring from badminton in 1950 to concentrate on a career in neurosurgery
, Freeman made a brief comeback in 1953. He won the four tournaments that he entered which concluded with the U.S. National Championships
in Boston
, and a victory in the very same hall where he had last lost a singles match fourteen years earlier. He is the only American born male to be inducted into both the U.S. and World Badminton Halls of Fame
.
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...
player from California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
who became an icon in the sport's history.
Badminton career
From early in 1939, at the age of eighteen, through his final tournament match fourteen years later, Freeman was undefeated in singles competition. Displaying his characteristic quickness, agility, and shot-making precision, Freeman won the prestigious All-England ChampionshipAll 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...
on his only try (1949) and remains the sole American to win the men's singles there. In this one-time-only badminton stint in Europe he also won Thomas Cup
1949 Thomas Cup
The 1949 Thomas Cup was the inaugural tournament of Thomas Cup, the most important men's badminton team competition in the world.The tournament was originally planned for 1941-1942 , but was delayed when World War II exploded across the continents...
singles matches against eventual champion Malaya
Malaysia national badminton team
The Malaysia national badminton team is a badminton team that plays for Malaysia in international competitions. The men's team has enjoyed immense success, having won the Thomas Cup five times, most recently in 1992...
, and captured the Danish Open. In all, he won three matches each against Ooi Teik Hock
Ooi Teik Hock
Ooi Teik Hock was a Malayan badminton player who won Malayan national titles and represented his country in team and individual competition between 1939 and 1958. Teik Hock played on four consecutive Malayan Thomas Cup teams the first three of which claimed world titles...
and the very formidable Wong Peng Soon
Wong Peng Soon
Wong Peng Soon, MBE was an Ethnic Chinese badminton player who reigned as a top player in Malaya from the 1930s to the 1950s...
. After apparently retiring from badminton in 1950 to concentrate on a career in neurosurgery
Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders which affect any portion of the nervous system including the brain, spine, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular system.-In the United States:In...
, Freeman made a brief comeback in 1953. He won the four tournaments that he entered which concluded with the U.S. National Championships
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 Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, and a victory in the very same hall where he had last lost a singles match fourteen years earlier. He is the only American born male to be inducted into both the U.S. and World Badminton Halls 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 ....
.
Major Achievements in Badminton
| Tournament | Event | Year |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Championships 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.... |
Men's Singles | 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1947, 1948, 1953 |
| Men's Doubles | 1940, 1941, 1942, 1947, 1948 | |
| Mixed Doubles | 1940, 1941, 1942 | |
| 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... |
Men's Singles | 1949 |
| Danish Open Denmark Open The Denmark Open, or formerly known as Danish Open, is an annual badminton tournament held in Denmark and organized by Danmarks Badminton Forbund.- History :... |
Men's Singles | 1949 |
| Toronto Invitational | Men's Singles | 1953 |