László Cseh, a Hungarian competitive swimmer born in Budapest in 1985, defined his career through consistent success on the international stage spanning five Olympic cycles. As a six-time Olympic medalist and 33-time European champion, he navigated high-stakes competition throughout a professional tenure that began in his youth and concluded following the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.
Early Career and Breakthrough
The son of an Olympic swimmer, Cseh entered competitive swimming at a young age. He received education at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics while training under coaches György Turi and Zoltán Nemes. His emergence at the highest level occurred during the 2003 World Championships, where he secured a silver medal in the 400-meter individual medley, accompanied by national records in backstroke events.
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Despite suffering an ankle injury shortly before the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Cseh earned a bronze medal in the 400-meter individual medley. By the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he established European records in the 400-meter individual medley, 200-meter butterfly, and 200-meter individual medley, collecting silver medals in each. He concluded his Olympic participation in 2020 by reaching the final of the 200-meter individual medley, finishing 7th before announcing his retirement.
World Championship Success
Cseh achieved consistent results across several World Championship events. In 2005, he claimed his first world championship gold in the 400-meter individual medley. A decade later, at the 2015 World Aquatics Championships, he added another gold to his collection by winning the 200-meter butterfly in 1:53.48. His career total includes 13 World Championship medals, showcasing his longevity in the sport.
Fast facts
- Born: 1985, Budapest, Hungary
- Sport: Swimming
- Olympic Medals: 6
- European Champion Titles: 33
- World Championship Medals: 13
- Career World Records: 5
- Career European Records: 22
- Retirement: 2020
Questions readers ask
How many Olympic Games did László Cseh compete in?
He competed in five Olympic Games, ranging from the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Did László Cseh hold any world records?
Yes, he set five world records throughout his career, all of which were achieved in 25-meter short course pools.
Achievements
- Competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics
