Lajos Balthazár

Lajos Balthazár began his fencing career in 1936 with Postás SE. He later represented MAFC (1943–1947), Postás again, and from 1949 to 1961, BVSC. Over a long career Balthazár won five Hungarian team titles and competed 38 times for Hungary from 1948 to 1960.

Balthazár took part in three Olympics: fifth in 1948 (London), fifth in 1952 (Helsinki), and winning silver in 1956 (Melbourne) in the team épée. He also placed fourth individually in 1956. He earned team silver in the 1957 and 1958 World Championships, and bronze in 1955.

Balthazár retired from fencing in 1961 and turned to sports diplomacy and writing. From 1964 he was a member of the FIE, later becoming an honorary member in 1983. He also served as an international judge.

Balthazár earned a doctorate in political science in 1946. He worked at the Budapest-Salgótarján Machine Factory, in Budapest’s 5th district administration, then as a postal clerk, and later for MÁV. He co-authored Fencing – Competition and Game Rules with Tibor Székely.