Bertalan Papp

Bertalan Papp started fencing relatively late, at age 26, after becoming a military officer. Papp also competed in sport shooting for HTVK. Between 1942 and 1944 he completed training at the “Toldi Miklós” Central Military Physical Education Institute and later taught there.

Papp fenced for Toldi Miklós SE (1945), Csepeli MTK (1947), and Budapest Honvéd (from 1950). He won the Hungarian individual sabre title in 1947, and five team titles. From 1947 to 1954 Papp was part of the Hungarian sabre team, winning Olympic gold in 1948 (London) and 1952 (Helsinki). He was also part of the team that won the World Championship in 1953 and defended the title in 1954, finishing seventh individually.

While still active Papp became head of Honvéd’s fencing department (1950–1974). He also taught judo, presiding over the judo federation (from 1952), and coached fencing (from 1954). From 1958 to 1974 he served on the Hungarian Fencing Association board chairing its youth committee. He later led Honvéd’s tennis department (1975–1980).

Between 1975–1990 Papp worked as a professional stuntman, appearing in more than 80 films. He was named an honorary citizen of Tiszaföldvár.