This achievement marked the first time a Hungarian relay team medaled at the short-course championships.Continue reading
The Hungarian team won two gold medals at the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Budapest over the weekend. Zalán Sárkány topped the podium in the 800m freestyle on Saturday, while Hubert Kós won the 200m backstroke on the final day, Sunday.
In the final on Saturday, Zalán Sárkány and the 1500m winner Ahmed Jauadi of Tunisia quickly pulled away from the field, and at the halfway point it was certain that the victory would be between the two.
The 21-year-old Hungarian eventually triumphed with a national record of 7:30.56.
I have to admit I did not expect that. This is something most people only dream about. I had hoped beforehand that I would somehow make it to the podium in front of the Hungarian crowd, and it is an amazing feeling to have beaten that. I hope this is just the beginning,”
said the Hungarian athlete after the race.
Photo: MTI/Illyés Tibor
Hubert Kós, 21, triumphed in the 200m backstroke on the final day, just two hundredths off the world record, with a European record of 1:45.65.
Hubert Kós. Photo: MTI/Illyés Tibor
“I felt that this was my time, my moment, my main event that I was preparing for. You do not get many opportunities to do something like this and I took advantage of it,” said the world champion, who added that he would like to repeat the same result in 2027.
Photo: MTI/Hegedüs Róbert
The young athlete noted that
two of his biggest dreams – winning the Olympic title and success in front of his home crowd – have come true this year, and that a world record could be next.
Hungary finished the World Aquatics with four medals: two gold and two silver.
Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Hegedüs Róbert