Antal Kiss

Antal Kiss started athletics in 1951, and later that year became a national champion in cross-country running. After that, he became a member of the youth national team, and later moved to the senior team. Kiss competed in middle- and long-distance running until 1960, when he started the 10 km walk in the Miners’ Championship, which he won by surprise. After that, he competed only in walking. He finished second in the 1961 Athletics Championships, but in 1962 became the Hungarian champion at 20 km. In addition, in 1964 and 1967 he was Hungarian champion over 20 km, and in 1965 and 1967 at 50 km. Between 1965 and 1971, Kiss improved the national record nine times.

From 1963 to 1974 Kiss competed for Tatabánya, and was on the national team from 1963-72. He took part in three Olympics (1964-1972), his best performance coming at Mexico City, when he finished 14th in the 20 km, and a few days later he won a silver medal in the 50 km. Due to extreme altitude and temperature conditions, he lost seven kilograms during the 50K, and after the race, all three podium finishers were in such poor condition that the medal ceremony had to be postponed to the next day.

Kiss left his active sports career in 1974, after which he worked as a successful coach at the Tatabánya Sports Club until 2009. From 1962 until his retirement in 1989, he worked for the Tatabánya Coal Mining Company.

Personal Bests: 20kmW – 1-26:57t (1971); 50kmW – 4-07:58 (1971).