Howard Angus is a name that may not be familiar to most sports enthusiasts, but he is a true legend in his own right. Angus is a unique athlete who achieved what very few have in the history of sports – becoming a world champion in two different sports as an amateur.
Born on September 28, 1935, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Angus grew up playing hockey, baseball, and basketball. However, it was not until he discovered the sport of badminton that he found his true passion. Angus’s first exposure to badminton came when he was just 13 years old. He and his family were on vacation in the Muskoka Lakes region of Ontario when he saw people playing the game for the first time. From that moment on, Angus was hooked.
Angus’s love for the game led him to join the Hamilton Badminton Club. He quickly became one of the club’s top players and began to compete at the national level. In 1958, Angus won his first Canadian national badminton championship in men’s doubles with partner George Costain. This was the start of a remarkable run that would see Angus dominate the sport in Canada for the next decade.
Angus went on to win six Canadian national championships in men’s doubles and five in mixed doubles, as well as numerous provincial titles. He also represented Canada at the World Championships five times and won two bronze medals in men’s doubles, one in 1963 and another in 1967.
Angus’s achievements in badminton alone are impressive enough, but it was his success in another sport that truly sets him apart. In 1962, Angus entered the Canadian Bobsleigh championships on a whim. He had never tried the sport before but was looking for a new challenge. With his athletic ability and competitive spirit, he quickly took to the sport and was soon competing at the national level.
Angus was a member of the Canadian bobsleigh team that won the gold medal at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. He also won a bronze medal in the four-man event at the 1965 World Championships. Angus continued to compete in bobsleigh for several years, even after retiring from badminton.
Angus’s remarkable achievements in both badminton and bobsleigh are a testament to his natural talent and dedication to the sport. What makes his story even more remarkable is that he achieved all of this as an amateur athlete. In an era when amateur athletes were not supposed to be able to compete at the highest levels of sport, Angus proved that it was possible.
Angus’s success in two different sports as an amateur is a testament to the power of passion and dedication. He was not driven by money or fame but by a love for sport and a desire to be the best he could be. Angus’s legacy is an inspiration to all those who strive to achieve greatness in their chosen field.
Today, Howard Angus is 85 years old and still active in the world of sports. He continues to inspire others with his passion for sports and his dedication to excellence. His achievements in badminton and bobsleigh are a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
In conclusion, Howard Angus is a true legend of sports who achieved something that very few have. He won world championships in two different sports as an amateur, which is a testament to his natural talent and dedication to the sport. Angus’s legacy is an inspiration to all those who strive to achieve greatness in their chosen field. His passion for sports and his dedication to excellence are qualities that we can all aspire to. Howard Angus’s story reminds us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it and work hard to
