Aranka Szabó-Bartha

Aranka Szabó began her athletics career in 1943 as a competitor for MAC. After the club was dissolved in 1945, Szabó competed for Vasas till the end of her sports career. As a successful sprinter in domestic championships, she won a gold medal in the 100 metres in 1953, and was on the top of the podium with her club’s relay team once in the 4 x 200 metres and four times in the 4 x 100 metres. Between 1948 and 1954, she was a member of the Hungarian sprint relay team that improved the national record five times.

Between 1948 and 1956 Szabó competed for the Hungarian national team nine times. At the 1951 World University Championships in Berlin, she won a silver medal as a member of the Hungarian 4 x 100 metres relay team, and a bronze medal with the 4 x 200 metres relay team. In 1952 she participated at the Helsinki Olympics, where she competed in the 100 metres and the relay, but did not reach the final in either event.

After her athletic career ended in 1956 Szabó continued to actively participate in the domestic athletics scene, and from the 1980s onwards, she was a regular participant in veteran athletics competitions. Her love of the sport also played a significant role in her family. Her husband, László Bartha and son, Attila were also national athletes.

Personal Best: 100 – 12.1 (1956).