Famous Hungarian Swimmers

Katinka Hosszú is a highly decorated Hungarian competitive swimmer known for her expertise in individual medley events. She is a three-time Olympic champion and a nine-time long-course world champion. Hosszú is the founder of Iron Swim Budapest, a swim school and club, and a co-owner and captain of Team Iron in the International Swimming League. She holds multiple world records and national records, earning numerous awards such as FINA Swimmer of the Year and SwimSwam's Swammy Award. Hosszú is recognized for her versatility and has successfully built her personal brand as the "Iron Lady."

Krisztina Egerszegi is a retired Hungarian swimmer renowned for her exceptional achievements in the sport. She is a five-time Olympic champion and one of the greatest Hungarian Olympic athletes in recent history. Egerszegi set a world record in the long-course 200m backstroke that stood for almost 17 years. She is also recognized for being the first female swimmer to win five individual Olympic gold medals. In 2013, Egerszegi was honored with the Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen for her outstanding contributions to swimming.

László Cseh OLY is a retired Hungarian competitive swimmer and six-time Olympic medalist, known for his remarkable achievements in the sport. He has a total of 33 European Championship titles to his name, showcasing his dominance in the swimming world. Cseh's exceptional talent and dedication have earned him widespread recognition, and he continues to be highly regarded within the swimming community. Despite not winning an Olympic gold medal, his numerous accolades and contributions to the sport have solidified his legacy as one of the top male swimmers in the world.

Alfréd Hajós was a versatile professional, excelling as a swimmer and becoming the first modern Olympic swimming champion. He also showcased his talents in football as a player, referee, and later as a manager and coach for the national team. Additionally, he demonstrated proficiency in track events like discus and hurdles. His contributions to Hungarian sports history are significant, as he not only achieved personal success but also played key roles in the development and management of various sports programs and teams.

Zoltán Halmay was a highly accomplished Hungarian Olympic swimmer, competing in four Olympics and winning multiple medals, including two golds in 1904. He was known for his success in freestyle swimming, winning national and international championships. Halmay set world records in various distances and displayed versatility in other sports like rowing, football, and roller-skating. After retiring, he transitioned into coaching and became the federal chief trainer of the Hungarian Swimming Association. His legacy is commemorated with a monument in his honor.

Tamás Darnyi is a legendary Hungarian male swimmer known for his exceptional talent in medley events. Throughout his career, he achieved great success, winning four gold medals at the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games. Darnyi's dominance in individual medley events was unparalleled, remaining unbeaten from 1985 until his retirement in 1993. He made history by becoming the first swimmer to complete the 200m medley (long course) in under 2 minutes, solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest medley swimmers of all time.

Olivér Halassy was a Hungarian water polo player and freestyle swimmer who overcame the loss of his left leg below the knee to achieve remarkable success in sports. He made history as the first amputee swimmer to compete in the Olympics and was a key member of Hungarian water polo teams that won multiple Olympic medals. Halassy also secured numerous European water polo and swimming titles, setting records along the way. He later worked as an auditor at City Hall before his tragic death in Budapest.

Károly Güttler is a former Hungarian breaststroker who competed in four consecutive Olympics from 1988 to 2000, winning silver medals in the 100m and 200m breaststroke events at separate Games. In 1993, he achieved significant success by clinching gold and silver at the European Championships in Sheffield, UK, and setting a world record in the 100m breaststroke. This accomplishment earned him recognition as the World Swimmer of the Year and European Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World Magazine.

Péter Rusorán was a prominent figure in Hungarian aquatic sports, excelling as both a swimmer and water polo player. He achieved Olympic success with a gold medal in 1964 and a bronze in 1960, along with winning the Universiade title in 1965. Transitioning to coaching, Rusorán continued his winning legacy by securing numerous national league titles in Hungary and abroad. He further solidified his coaching reputation by claiming victory in the European Champions Cup on two occasions.