Csaba Ali

Csaba Ali’s sports career began almost at birth, as his family lived close to the swimming pool in Eger, where his father was the administrator of the Egeri Dózsa. Ali learned to swim at the age of four and raced competitively between 1955 and 1970. Between 1963 and 1970, he won 10 Hungarian Championships and set 9 national records.

Ali was a versatile swimmer. Besides his main discipline – 400 IM – he won national titles in 100 m breaststroke, 200 m butterfly, and 1500 freestyle. He was barely 18-years-old when he competed at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics in the 400 IM and as a member of the 4x200m relay.

At the end of his swimming career, Ali played water polo for one season with Egri Dózsa. He graduated from the Teacher’s Training College in Eger with a degree in mathematics and physics. After completing his sports career, he also completed the coaching course of the College of Physical Education and then worked as a coach, first in Eger and from 1978 in Szolnok.