Lee Calvert proved that age is a question of mind over matter last week at the Senior International Combined Age Badminton Tournament, returning home to the Palisades with two more gold medals to add to her ever-growing collection. “It was a lot of fun and the competition was great,” Calvert said on her way to an exercise class at the Palisades-Malibu YMCA. “Every year the players seem to get better and better.” The 83-year-old Palisadian teamed with Sue Dommeyer of Manhattan Beach to win the 130+ doubles division, beating an experienced Japanese team from Osaka, Japan, in the semifinals, then dispatching defending champions Judy Gray and Karen Warnock 22-24, 21-8, 21-13 in the championship match at the Orange County Badminton Club. Then, in the 130+ mixed competition, Calvert teamed with Rob Oldfield of Victoria, Canada, to win her second gold medal. For good measure, Calvert partnered with Imre Bereknyei, a former Hungarian champion from Northern California, to place third out of six teams in the 120+ mixed division. Calvert won eight of her nine matches. Calvert, who celebrated her 83rd birthday on August 15, was thrown a surprise party during a Chamber of Commerce meeting at Mogan’s.
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