Karen Beckman née Bridge (1960 – June 2020) was a female badminton player of England.

Karen Bridge
Personal information
CountryEngland
Born27 March 1960
Surrey, England
Died19 June 2020(2020-06-19) (aged 60)
Surrey, England
Medal record
Women's badminton
Representing  England
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1980 Jakarta Women's doubles
Uber Cup
Silver medal – second place 1984 Kuala Lumpur Women's team
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 1978 Edmonton Mixed team
Gold medal – first place 1982 Brisbane Mixed team
Silver medal – second place 1982 Brisbane Women's doubles
Silver medal – second place 1982 Brisbane Mixed doubles
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 1982 Böblingen Mixed team
Gold medal – first place 1984 Preston Mixed team
Silver medal – second place 1982 Böblingen Women's singles
Silver medal – second place 1984 Preston Women's doubles
Silver medal – second place 1986 Uppsala Mixed team
Bronze medal – third place 1984 Preston Women's singles
Bronze medal – third place 1986 Uppsala Women's doubles
European Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 1977 Ta' Qali Girls' singles
Gold medal – first place 1977 Ta' Qali Girls' doubles
Gold medal – first place 1977 Ta' Qali Mixed team
Silver medal – second place 1977 Ta' Qali Mixed doubles
Silver medal – second place 1975 Copenhagen Mixed team
Bronze medal – third place 1975 Copenhagen Girls' doubles

Career

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She won a bronze medals at the 1980 IBF World Championships in women's doubles with Barbara Sutton.

She represented England and won a gold medal in the team event, at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. In addition she reached the quarter-finals of the doubles and mixed doubles.[1][2]

Four years later, as Karen Beckman she represented England and won a gold medal in the team event and two silver medals in the women's doubles and mixed doubles, at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.[3][4] The mixed doubles medal was with her brother, Duncan Bridge.

Personal life

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She was a coach for the Wilson Boys' School's badminton team and a part-time coach for the Wimbledon Racquets and Fitness Club's junior badminton team towards the end of her life.

She has a son, Ben Beckman, who has also successfully played badminton for England.

Beckman died of cancer in June 2020.[5][6]

References

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  1. ^ "1978 Athletes". Team England.
  2. ^ "Athletes and results". Commonwealth Games Federation.
  3. ^ "1982 Athletes". Team England.
  4. ^ "Athletes and results". Commonwealth Games Federation.
  5. ^ "Gill Clark leads tributes to 'The Duchess'". Badminton England.
  6. ^ "Wilson's School Sports Awards 2020". Wilson's School.