Heather Ward
Encyclopedia
Heather Ward is a former English badminton
player who won international championships and competed at an elite level during a two decade span from the mid 1950s to the mid 1970s. Noted for her grace and athleticism, she won women's doubles with American Margaret Varner at the 1958 All-England Championships
(then the world's most prestigious tournament for individual competitors). The following year Ward interrupted the reign of the great Judy Devlin (Hashman)
by defeating her in the All-England
women's singles final. During the 1960s her badminton career was hampered by a variety of factors including athletic injury, marriage and motherhood, and residence in South Africa. In 1970, however, she returned to the All-Englands
to reach the final of women's singles before bowing to Japan's Etsuko Takenaka
. Continuing to compete, she was an All-England singles quarter-finalist as late as 1975.
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 who won international championships and competed at an elite level during a two decade span from the mid 1950s to the mid 1970s. Noted for her grace and athleticism, she won women's doubles with American Margaret Varner at the 1958 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...
(then the world's most prestigious tournament for individual competitors). The following year Ward interrupted the reign of the great 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....
by defeating her in the All-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...
women's singles final. During the 1960s her badminton career was hampered by a variety of factors including athletic injury, marriage and motherhood, and residence in South Africa. In 1970, however, she returned to the All-Englands
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...
to reach the final of women's singles before bowing to Japan's Etsuko Takenaka
Etsuko Toganoo
is a retired Japanese badminton player noted for her consistency and impassive demeanor, who won numerous international titles during the 1970s...
. Continuing to compete, she was an All-England singles quarter-finalist as late as 1975.