Lajos Ódor

Lajos Ódor initially swam and kayaked, then at the age of 10 was introduced to rowing, at the Velencei-tavi Vízisport Iskola (Water Sports School) on Lake Velence, and he competed for the first time at the age of 13. He competed as a member of this club until 1978, then in 1979 transferred to the Agárdi MEDOSZ, where he rowed until 1984.

In 1977 Ódor finished second in single sculls at the Youth Friendship Competition, and a year later placed first in the same event. In 1978, despite his young age, he also won the adult single sculls championship, which he then repeated six times. In 1979, he represented Hungary in the single sculls at the World Championships in Bled, where he was unplaced, but at the 1980 Moskva Olympics he finished third in the semi-final and ninth overall. In 1981, he was the coxswain of the quadruple sculls at the World Championships in München, where they finished 10th.

During his 14-year rowing career, Ódor won 18 Hungarian championships. With his achievements, he won the title of “Rower of the Year” three times (1977, 1978, 1980).

In 1980, he earned a coaching certificate from the Further Education Institute of the College of Physical Education, and for a short time coached Bajai Spartacus.

He stopped rowing in 1987. After 10 years, he competed again in the Veteran World Championships and won his age category in sculls at the age of 36. He was introduced to sailing through his children, and in the 2000s he also competed in this new sport. In his civilian life, he was involved in a construction business.