László Cseh, Sr.

László Cseh Sr. was a Hungarian swimming prodigy who, at the age of 13, was selected for the national team and was the first Hungarian swimmer to win a gold medal at the European Junior Championships. In 1967, he won the 100 butterfly, adding a silver medal in 100 backstroke. The latter discipline was his best event, winning the national championship title six times in a row between 1968 and 1973, and winning 13 national championships in all.

On the international scene Cseh’s best results were fifth at the 1973 World Championships and sixth at the 1970 European Championships. He competed at two Olympics (1968 / 1972) both in the 100 back and medley relay. At the 1972 München Olympics the relay surprisingly reached the final, where they placed eighth. His son, László Cseh, won medals at four Olympics through 2016, becoming a world champion in 2005 and 2015, and with 14 gold medals has been the most successful male competitor in the history of the European Championships.

Personnel best: 100 m backstroke – 59.51 (1973).