Judianne Kelly

1988 "HALL OF FAME" INDUCTEE
ATHLETE-RIGHT-HANDED

Women's Singles Champion
1997,1980,1981,1982,1983,& 1985

U.S. Women's Doubles Champion
1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, & 1986

U.S. Mixed Doubles Champion
1985 U.S. National Triple Crown Champion
1988 - Ken Davidson Memorial Award
1986 - California State University at Long Beach

    Hall of Fame Inductee

International Records:
1975 & 1976 - Mexican Open Triple Crown Champion
1975,1978,1980, &1981 - Uber Cup Team
1977,1978 - Pan American Team
1975 - Peruvian Open Triple Crown Champion

Judianne discovered badminton at the age of thirteen when her junior high teacher encouraged her to enter a local tournament. With little experience, she entered her first tournament and lost her first match very quickly to the top seeded player, Diane Hales. However, she went on to sweep the consolation bracket, and win her first trophy. Well, she was now hooked, and was so impressed with the quickness and speed of the game; she gave up tennis and decided to focus on badminton as her number one sport. She soon joined the Manhattan Beach and Pasadena Badminton Clubs, perfecting her game. Judianne traveled all over southern California finding places to play. She logged over 170 miles or more a week, traveling to practice and tournaments. Over twelve years, from 1974-1986, she dominated tournaments and was regarded as one of the most competitive players in the nation. Judianne's natural athletic ability, power, superb conditioning, and strong competitive spirit rewarded her with sixteen national championships and a Triple Crown at the U.S. National Championships in 1985. During her career she was coached by Ruben Mejia, Sombat Dhammabusaya, David Ogata, and Vicki Toutz. She is currently semi-retired after teaching for thirty-two years at an intermediate school in Garden Grove, and resides in Costa Mesa, California. Since her retirement from the badminton world, Judianne has satisfied her desire for competition by playing men's doubles racquetball, and holds a 5 handicap in golf. She is looking forward to many volunteer fields when she is fully retired. She loves to travel and has her sights on Spain and Portugal in the near future.