BUDAPEST, June 22, 2020 - It may seem like a polite gesture from the younger champion to let go of his great predecessor, even in his last and most painful step to say good-bye. In just twenty-four hours, Hungary and the world's water polo society lost two huge champions last week. They could both have been members of that privileged, elite club that had entered the history of the sport as a three-time Olympic champions. Gyorgy Karpati, 85, was the last living member of the legendary team winning the title in Melbourne 1956 – he was also part of the 1952 and 1964 gold medallist sides. A left-handed icon of the 90s and the new millennium, winner in Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, Tibor Benedek was only 48 but a dreadful disease terminated his wonderful life way too soon.

 

Kárpáti was one of the few players who could make highest circles despite being relatively short but his extraordinary
swimming speed, brilliant technique and outstanding smartness made him a perfect fit for the Hungarian national team in the 50s. He was only 17 when he could celebrate his first Olympic title in Helsinki 1952, followed by a series of fantastic triumphs. The highest rated of all came in 1956, just weeks after the freedom fight in Hungary was suppressed by the Soviet troops. Perhaps it was the most famous water polo clash in history in Melbourne, when the Hungarian team beat the Soviets 4-0 in the match which would be known as the ‘Bloodbath of Melbourne’. Karpati was in the pool in that game and contributed a lot to the great march of the Magyars. He played at two more Olympics, earned a bronze in Rome 1960 and added a historical third gold in Tokyo. Karpati later held important roles in the national federation and in the executive board of the National Olympic Committee and was an adviser on sport matters to the Prime Minister.

The another three-time Olympic champion Tibor Benedek passed away just weeks before his 48th birthday, to send waves of shock around the world’s water polo community. He was a true icon of the sport who had an outstanding playing career, only to match it by his achievements as a coach. He often said of himself that he is by far not the most talented and skillful player, but he is certainly the one he wants to succeed with the greatest dedication.

An excellent example of all this is that as a two-time Olympic champion, he was willing to find a swimming coach before Beijing to help him perfect his freestyle technique, because he felt that otherwise he would not be a 100% leader of the Hungarian team. With these extra swimming lessons he turned to be in top shape both physically and mentally for the Games where he led the team to an unprecedented third straight Olympic title as captain.

The left-handed hero took part in five Olympics as a player between 1992 and 2008 and reached the top in the second part of his illustrious career. He became Olympic champion in 2000, 2004 and 2008, world champion in 2003, World Cup winner in 1995, World League winner in 2003 and 2004 and European champion in 1997 but stood on the podium on numerous occasions at other major events and claimed a series of trophies with his clubs, like the Italian Pro Recco, and the Hungarian UTE.

After his carreer as a player he became the head of the Hungarian National Waterpolo Team from 2013 and he immediately managed to stun the sport in that summer by leading his newly shaped men’s team to a world title in Barcelona.

His last miracle came earlier in this season when he led his club to the top eight in the national league though the team featured only teenaged players. However, soon he had to announce that he should leave water polo once and for all for private reasons – and now the country and the aquatic family had to learn the shockingly painful truth behind his decision.

Since the news of his death, thousands have been making pilgrimages to the Hajós Alfréd swimming pool on Margaret Island in Budapest, his second home, in recent days to pay their respects to Tibor Benedek.

Benedek seems to be making history after his pass away, since three representatives of the Hungarian Govenrment’s leading party – inculding Dr. Tünde Szabó - Secretary of State for Sport, have submitted an amendment to the law, apparently driven by the early death of Tibor Benedek. In Hungary, Olympic medalists receive a life annuity from the state. Olympic champions receive an amount equal to the previous year's gross average earnings in Hungary as an annuity, and multiple champions are entitled to the full amount after each placement. In addition, the motion increases the 50 percent annuity so far to the full amount for a widow raising a child under the age of eighteen. Benedek had three children, and left two under eighteen.

A role model for many for his work ethics, dedication – Tibor Benedek will be badly missed by not only the Hungarians but the entire world of water polo. In honor of his unparalleled career, thousands have now signed a petition to name one of the most beautiful swimming pools in the world, wchich was the main competition venue for the 2017 FINA World Championships, the Danube Arena, after Tibor Benedek.