Mihály Esztergomi

Mihály Ersching achieved his first significant sporting success at the age of 18 as a student at the 9th district Szent István Commercial School, winning the Hungarian high school cross-country running championship. The following year Ersching finished second in the senior cross-country running championship with the MAC. At that time, however, he was more interested in handball, only gradually began to like athletics.

In 1934 he took the name Esztergomi and continued his athletics career under this name. In the 1930s he often struggled with injuries and illnesses, with his career not developing as expected. However, after World War II, well past the age of 30, he experienced his second flowering. As a competitor for Bp-i Előre and then Törekvés, Esztergomi won three individual championships, and the marathon in 1949 and 1950. He won 10 team championships in the 5,000 metres, cross-country, and the marathon. His first title came in 1933 with UTE, and the last in 1958 at the age of 46 as a member of Előre.

Between 1938 and 1955 Esztergomi competed eleven times for the Hungarian national team. He represented Hungary in the marathon at the 1952 Olympics where he finished 21st. After finishing his competitive career he worked as a national competition judge.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-33:11 (1935).