# Nora Perry (badminton)

Nora Perry MBE (née Gardner, born 1954) is an English badminton player noted for her anticipation, racket control, and tactical astuteness. A doubles specialist, Perry won numerous major titles, with a variety of partners, from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. These included six All-England mixed doubles and two All-England women's doubles championships. She won both the 1980 IBF World Championships and the 1980 European Championships in women's doubles with Jane Webster. Three years later, she won the 1983 IBF World Championships title in mixed doubles with Thomas Kihlström. Partnered with Mike Tredgett, they became the first ever world number one mixed doubles pairing in the inaugural IBF world ranking release in 1978. Generally regarded as one of the greatest female mixed doubles players in the game's history, in 1999 she was inducted into the World Badminton Hall of Fame.

## Early and personal life

Nora Gardner was born on 15 June 1954 in Newcastle. Since her junior career, she represented Essex in the national events. She married Joe Perry on 24 December 1976.

## Achievements
### World Championships

Women's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1977 | Malmö Isstadion, Malmo, Sweden | Margaret Lockwood | Joke van Beusekom Marjan Ridder | 15–4, 6–15, 8–15 | Bronze |
| 1980 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | Jane Webster | Verawaty Wiharjo Imelda Wiguna | 15–12, 15–3 | Gold |
| 1983 | Brøndby Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark | Jane Webster | Lin Ying Wu Dixi | 4–15, 12–15 | Silver |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1977 | Malmö Isstadion, Malmö, Sweden | Mike Tredgett | Steen Skovgaard Lene Køppen | 15–17, 10–15 | Bronze |
| 1980 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | Mike Tredgett | Christian Hadinata Imelda Wiguna | 12–15, 4–15 | Gold |
| 1983 | Brøndbyhallen, Copenhagen, Denmark | Thomas Kihlström | Steen Fladberg Pia Nielsen | 15–1, 15–11 | Gold |

### World Games

Women's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1981 | San Jose Civic Auditorium, California, United States | Jane Webster | Zhang Ailing Liu Xia | 15–11, 4–15, 8–15 | Silver |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1981 | San Jose Civic Auditorium, California, United States | Mike Tredgett | Thomas Kihlstrom Gillian Gilks | 6–15, 14–18 | Silver |

### World Cup

Women's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1980 | Kyoto, Japan | Jane Webster | Atsuko Tokuda Yoshiko Yonekura | 4–15, 17–16, 5–15 | Bronze |
| 1984 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | Gillian Clark | Wu Jianqiu Xu Rong | 15–12, 9–15, 10–15 | Bronze |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1984 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | Thomas Kihlström | Christian Hadinata Ivana Lie | 15–18, 15–13, 15–8 | Gold |
| 1985 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | Steen Fladberg | Christian Hadinata Ivana Lie | 11–15, 17–18 | Silver |

### Commonwealth Games

Women's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1978 | Clare Drake Arena, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | Anne Statt | Claire Backhouse Jane Youngberg | 10-15, 15–2, 15–12 | Gold |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1974 | Cowles Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand | Paul Whetnall | Derek Talbot Gillian Gilks | walkover | Silver |
| 1978 | Clare Drake Arena, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | Mike Tredgett | Billy Gilliland Joanna Flockhart | 15–7, 15–7 | Gold |

### European Championships

Women's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1974 | Vienna, Austria | Susan Whetnall | Gillian Gilks Margaret Beck | 10–15, 13–15 | Silver |
| 1976 | Dublin, Ireland | Margaret Beck | Gillian Gilks Susan Whetnall | 4–15, 8–15 | Silver |
| 1978 | Preston, England | Anne Statt | Jane Webster Barbara Sutton | 15–7, 15–7 | Gold |
| 1980 | Groningen, Netherlands | Jane Webster | Kirsten Larsen Pia Nielsen | 15–8, 15–13 | Gold |
| 1982 | Böblingen, West Germany | Jane Webster | Gillian Gilks Gillian Clark | 3–15, 11–15 | Silver |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1976 | Dublin, Ireland | Mike Tredgett | Steen Skovgaard Lene Køppen | 15–9, 7–15, 4–15 | Bronze |
| 1978 | Preston, England | Mike Tredgett | Steen Skovgaard Lene Køppen | 15–9, 15–10 | Gold |
| 1980 | Groningen, Netherlands | Mike Tredgett | Lars Wengberg Anette Börjesson | 15–0, 15–6 | Gold |
| 1982 | Böblingen, West Germany | Mike Tredgett | Martin Dew Gillian Gilks | 12–15, 5–15 | Silver |

### European Junior Championships

Girls' doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1971 | Gottwaldov, Czechoslovakia | Barbara Giles | Lene Køppen Anne Berglund | 11–15, 7–15 | Silver |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1971 | Gottwaldov, Czechoslovakia | John Stretch | Peter Gardner Barbara Giles | 16–17, 14–18 | Silver |

### IBF World Grand Prix

The World Badminton Grand Prix was sanctioned by International Badminton Federation (IBF) from 1983-2006.
Women's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1983 | Chinese Taipei Open | Jane Webster | Gillian Clark Gillian Gilks | 10–15, 14–15 | Runner-up |
| 1983 | Japan Open | Jane Webster | Gillian Clark Gillian Gilks | 6–15, 8–15 | Runner-up |
| 1983 | Swedish Open | Jane Webster | Sumiko Kitada Shigemi Kawamura | 15–10, 15–8 | Winner |
| 1983 | Malaysia Open | Jane Webster | Kim Yun-ja Yoo Sang-hee | 15–11, 4–15, 7–15 | Runner-up |
| 1984 | Indonesia Open | Jane Webster | Wu Jianqiu Guan Weizhen | 9–15, 18–16, 18–15 | Winner |
| 1984 | English Masters | Gillian Clark | Lin Ying Wu Dixi | 5–15, 1–15 | Runner-up |
| 1985 | Chinese Taipei Open | Gillian Clark | Karen Beckman Gillian Gilks | 10–15, 17–14, 15–0 | Winner |
| 1985 | Denmark Open | Gillian Gilks | Kim Yun-ja Yoo Sang-hee | 7–15, 7–15 | Runner-up |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1983 | Japan Open | Thomas Kihlström | Martin Dew Jane Webster | 15–5, 15–2 | Winner |
| 1983 | Denmark Open | Thomas Kihlström | | | Winner |
| 1983 | Swedish Open | Thomas Kihlström | Dipak Tailor Barbara Sutton | 15–7, 15–1 | Winner |
| 1983 | All England Open | Thomas Kihlström | Steen Skovgaard Anne Skovgaard | 18–16, 11–15, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1984 | Denmark Open | Dipak Tailor | Billy Gilliland Imelda Wiguna | walkover | Winner |
| 1985 | Denmark Open | Dipak Tailor | Martin Dew Gillian Gilks | 15–8, 8–15, 15–10 | Winner |
| 1985 | All England Open | Billy Gilliland | Thomas Kihlström Gillian Clark | 15–10, 15–12 | Winner |
| 1985 | Malaysia Masters | Steen Fladberg | Thomas Kihlström Christine Magnusson | 15–9, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1985 | Canada Open | Billy Gilliland | Jesper Helledie Johanne Falardeau | 15–6, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1986 | Chinese Taipei Open | Billy Gilliland | Jesper Helledie Erica van den Heuvel | 15–8, 15–3 | Winner |
| 1986 | Japan Open | Billy Gilliland | Nigel Tier Gillian Gowers | 17–15, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1986 | Poona Open | Billy Gilliland | Rob Ridder Erica van den Heuvel | 15–6, 15–8 | Winner |
| 1986 | Hong Kong Open | Billy Gilliland | Andy Goode Fiona Smith | 15–5, 15–3 | Winner |
| 1986 | English Masters | Billy Gilliland | Jan-Eric Antonsson Gillian Gowers | 12–15, 17–15, 17–14 | Winner |

### International tournaments

Women's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1976 | All England Open | Margaret Lockwood | Gillian Gilks Susan Whetnall | 10–15, 10–15 | Runner-up |
| 1976 | Canadian Open | Margaret Lockwood | Marjan Ridder Joke van Beusekom | 17–14, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1976 | Scottish Open | Margaret Lockwood | Gillian Gilks Susan Whetnall | | Runner-up |
| 1977 | All England Open | Margaret Lockwood | Etsuko Toganoo Emiko Ueno | 15–7, 3–15, 7–15 | Runner-up |
| 1978 | Dutch Open | Anne Statt | Gillian Gilks Paula Kilvington | 15–9, 15–7 | Winner |
| 1979 | Denmark Open | Anne Statt | Atsuko Tokuda Mikiko Takada | 11–15, 9–15 | Runner-up |
| 1979 | English Masters | Jane Webster | Atsuko Tokuda Yoshiko Yonekura | 15–2, 8–15, 15–10 | Winner |
| 1980 | Copenhagen Cup | Gillian Gilks | Joke van Beusekom Lene Køppen | | Winner |
| 1980 | Welsh International | Jane Webster | Gillian Gilks Paula Kilvington | 17–14, 9–15, 11–15 | Runner-up |
| 1980 | Chinese Taipei Open | Jane Webster | Lene Køppen Kirsten Larsen | 15–5, 15–7 | Winner |
| 1980 | Denmark Open | Gillian Gilks | Atsuko Tokuda Yoshiko Yonekura | 18–15, 9–15, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1980 | Bell’s Open | Jane Webster | Gillian Gilks Paula Kilvington | 8–15, 6–15 | Runner-up |
| 1980 | All England Open | Gillian Gilks | Atsuko Tokuda Yoshiko Yonekura | 11–15, 15–7, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1980 | English Masters | Jane Webster | Atsuko Tokuda Yoshiko Yonekura | 14–18, 15–6, 12–15 | Runner-up |
| 1981 | Copenhagen Cup | Jane Webster | Gillian Gilks Paula Kilvington | 12–15, 8–15 | Runner-up |
| 1981 | Chinese Taipei Open | Jane Webster | | | Winner |
| 1981 | Japan Open | Jane Webster | Atsuko Tokuda Yoshiko Yonekura | 6–15, 15–7, 8–15 | Runner-up |
| 1981 | Denmark Open | Jane Webster | Atsuko Tokuda Yoshiko Yonekura | 15–12, 18–15 | Winner |
| 1981 | Swedish Open | Sally Podger | Kimiko Jinnai Kazuko Takamine | 15–6, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1981 | All England Open | Jane Webster | Gillian Gilks Paula Kilvington | 15–8, 15–4 | Winner |
| 1981 | Dutch Open | Jane Webster | Gillian Gilks Paula Kilvington | 7–15, 8–15 | Runner-up |
| 1981 | India Open | Jane Webster | Lin Ying Wu Dixi | 17–14, 13–15, 17–15 | Winner |
| 1981 | Scandinavian Cup | Jane Webster | Zhang Ailing Liu Xia | 15–12, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1982 | Chinese Taipei Open | Jane Webster | Verawaty Fadjrin Ruth Damyanti | 15–8, 18–17 | Winner |
| 1982 | Bell’s Open | Jane Webster | Gillian Gilks Catharine Troke | 15–4, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1982 | Japan Open | Jane Webster | Verawaty Fadjrin Ruth Damyanti | 3–15, 15–7, 15–12 | Winner |
| 1982 | Hong Kong Open | Jane Webster | Wu Jianqiu Xu Rong | 15–10, 15–13 | Winner |
| 1982 | Scandinavian Cup | Jane Webster | Atsuko Tokuda Yoshiko Yonekura | 11–15, 15–9, 15–4 | Winner |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1973 | All England Open | Elliot Stuart | Derek Talbot Gillian Gilks | 15–9, 13–15, 8–15 | Runner-up |
| 1973 | Dutch Open | David Eddy | Derek Talbot Gillian Gilks | | Runner-up |
| 1975 | All England Open | Elliot Stuart | Roland Maywald Brigitte Steden | 15-9, 15-3 | Winner |
| 1976 | German Open | Mike Tredgett | Steen Skovgaard Lene Køppen | 15–9, 15–10 | Winner |
| 1976 | Scottish Open | Mike Tredgett | Derek Talbot Gillian Gilks | | Runner-up |
| 1977 | All England Open | Mike Tredgett | Derek Talbot Gillian Gilks | 9–15, 9–15 | Runner-up |
| 1978 | Denmark Open | Mike Tredgett | Steen Skovgaard Lene Køppen | 9–15, 11–15 | Runner-up |
| 1978 | All England Open | Mike Tredgett | Steen Skovgaard Lene Køppen | 15–7, 15–4 | Winner |
| 1978 | Swedish Open | Mike Tredgett | Steen Skovgaard Lene Køppen | 15–2, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1979 | Swedish Open | Mike Tredgett | Steen Skovgaard Lene Køppen | 12–15, 18–17, 18–16 | Winner |
| 1979 | Denmark Open | Ray Stevens | Steen Skovgaard Lene Køppen | 15–12, 11–15, 15–13 | Winner |
| 1979 | All England Open | Mike Tredgett | Christian Hadinata Imelda Wiguna | 1–15, 17–18 | Runner-up |
| 1980 | Denmark Open | Mike Tredgett | Steen Skovgaard Lene Køppen | 15–11, 15–8 | Winner |
| 1980 | All England Open | Mike Tredgett | Christian Hadinata Imelda Wiguna | 18–13, 15–10 | Winner |
| 1981 | Copenhagen Cup | Mike Tredgett | Rob Ridder Marjan Ridder | 15–12, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1981 | Denmark Open | Mike Tredgett | Christian Hadinata Imelda Wiguna | 15–2, 15–2 | Winner |
| 1981 | Swedish Open | Billy Gilliland | Martin Dew Gillian Clark | 15–4, 18–14 | Winner |
| 1981 | All England Open | Mike Tredgett | Christian Hadinata Imelda Wiguna | 10–15, 18–14, 15–10 | Winner |
| 1981 | English Masters | Mike Tredgett | Morten Frost Lene Køppen | 15–5, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1981 | Bell’s Open | Billy Gilliland | Martin Dew Gillian Gilks | 17–16, 15–10 | Winner |
| 1981 | Canadian Open | Ray Stevens | Thomas Kihlström Gillian Gilks | 15–12, 6–15, 0–15 | Runner-up |
| 1981 | Dutch Open | Mike Tredgett | Thomas Kihlström Gillian Gilks | 12–15, 6–15 | Runner-up |
| 1981 | India Open | Ray Stevens | Billy Gilliland Karen Chapman | 15–12, 15–3 | Winner |
| 1981 | Scandinavian Cup | Mike Tredgett | Steen Skovgaard Jane Webster | 15–12, 15–8 | Winner |
| 1982 | Japan Open | Mike Tredgett | Martin Dew Jane Webster | 15–10, 15–2 | Winner |
| 1982 | Denmark Open | Thomas Kihlström | Martin Dew Gillian Gilks | 15–11, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1982 | Victor Cup | Thomas Kihlström | Martin Dew Gillian Gilks | 9–15, 15–9, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1982 | Bell’s Open | Ray Stevens | Billy Gilliland Gillian Gilks | 11–15, 7–7 ret. | Runner-up |
| 1982 | Scandinavian Cup | Thomas Kihlström | Steen Fladberg Pia Nielsen | 18–15, 15–12 | Winner |