Joe Alston

Achievements

• Despite a career in the Federal Bureau of Investigation which sometimes interfered with his avocation, Alston is the only male player to win each of the sport"s three basic events, singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, at both the United States. National Badminton Championships (closed to foreign competition) and the United States. Open Badminton Championships (open to foreign competition). In 1957 Alston won the Men"s Doubles at the prestigious All-England Championships with Malaya"s Johnny Heah and remains the only American to share this title. His wife, the former Lois Smedley, was an outstanding badminton competitor in her own right and played on the world champion United States. Uber Cup (Women"s International) team of 1957.

Membership

Noted for his speed and crisp shot-making, Alston was a member of seven consecutive United States. Thomas Cup (Men"s International) teams between 1952 and 1970 and played in four inter-zone Thomas Cup campaigns He was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated on March 7, 1955. Both are members of the United States. Badminton Hall of Fame, now called the Walk of Fame.