Denyse Julien walks into fame

Three Olympic Games, thirty-one Canadian national titles, the world’s top 15 in singles and the world’s top 10 in mixed doubles — these remarkable accomplishments can only belong to the most famous badminton player in Québec’s history, Denyse Julien.

Story and photos by Yves Lacroix

On November 12^th, the 54-year-old athlete from Rouyn-Noranda was inducted into the Panthéon des sports du Québec’s Hall of Fame.  Her illustrious career was rightfully honoured at a gala honouring five other great athletes whose names have become synonymous with their sport.  In his written message to the 350-strong crowd on hand for the induction ceremony, even the Premier of Québec, Philippe Couillard, alluded to the left-hander’s famous blocked dropshot, “la drop à Denyse”.

“To be inducted into the Panthéon des sports du Québec is one of the greatest marks of recognition an athlete can receive for his/her career,” Julien told Badzine.  “I am very proud to have received such an honour, which is sought by all athletes. It was a magical and unforgettable evening.”

Julien not only dominated the sport in her native Québec but also made her mark on the international scene for over three decades.  In singles alone, she won prestigious tournaments such as the US Open, the Canadian Open, the Welsh Open, the French Open as well as the Pan-American Games.  Among other accomplishments, she also grabbed two silver medals in singles at the Commonwealth Games and played in three Olympic Games in three events.  In the early 90s, she was ranked in the top 15 in women’s singles, a feat no Canadian duplicated until Michelle Li reached that echelon this autumn.

Denyse Julien qualified for her last Olympics at the age of 44.  To furthermore showcase her longevity, it has to be noted that Julien, in her prime, forced world number one players to play rubber sets and, at age 46, reached the women’s singles final at the Canadian Open.

In doubles, her partnership with Johanne Falardeau propelled her to quarter-final finishes at the All England and Japan Open.  In 1996, Iain Sydie was her mixed doubles partner when he and Julien cracked the world’s top 10 in their run for the Olympic qualification.

In 2011, thirty years after her first international competition, the French-Canadian became World Champion in singles in the 50+ category at the World Senior Badminton Championships.

At 54, the left-hander is still active in competition and coaches at the Club Atwater in Montréal.