Earlier this year we wrote how 35-year-old Hungarian swimming icon Laszlo Cseh was provisionally listed as having qualified for his nation’s roster for the postponed 2020 Olympic Games. Now, with the final qualification meet for Hungary having concluded, the man has indeed officially qualified for his fifth Games.
In March, Cseh was listed as the 2nd fastest Hungarian swimmer in the men’s 200m IM having achieved an Olympic-qualifying time of 1:57.79 at the 2019 FINA World Championships. His spot on the Tokyo lineup was not a sure thing, as athletes still had the just-concluded Budapest Open at which they could better an existing unprotected time, such as Cseh’s in the 200m IM.
However, he took the 200m IM over any other competitor this past weekend, clocking a time of 2:00.80 to seal his spot in the event alongside teammate and World Junior record holder in the event, Hubert Kos.
Katinka Hosszu is set to swim the 200m back, 200m fly, 200m IM and 400m IM where she’ll attempt to defend a portion of her onslaught of medals from Rio. At those 2016 Games, Hosszu reaped gold in the 100m back and both IM events while also snagging silver in the 200m back.
Although not quite as dominant over the past couple of years, Hosszu still ranks 14th in the 200m IM and carries the world’s 5th fastest 400m IM time this season into Tokyo. Plus, she’ll be backed up in the 400m IM by rising teenager Viktoria Mihályvári Farkas who ranks 12th in the world.
Reigning world champion Boglarka Kapas has officially been selected in the 200m fly while Kristof Milak, reigning world record holder and world champion the 200m fly, will be racing that event, as well as the 100m fly sprint.
Largely due to Hosszu’s remarkable performances, the nation of Hungary finished 3rd in the overall country medal table behind top finishers the United States and runners-up Australia.
As a refresher, you can view all rosters announced thus far here: SwimSwam’s Olympic Roster Index
Hungarian Olympic Roster for Tokyo
FINA ‘B’ times swimmers are denoted
Békési Eszter (200m breast
Bernek Péter (400m IM)
Bohus Richárd (100m back)
Burián Katalin (100m back, 200m back)
Cseh László (200m IM)
Fábián Fanni (200m free – B)
Gyurinovics Fanni (4x100m medley relay)
Gyurta Gergely (1500m free)
Halmai Petra (4x100m mixed relay)
Holló Balázs (4x200m free relay)
Holoda Péter (4x100m medley)
Horváth Dávid (100m breast– B, 200m breast – B)
Hosszú Katinka (200m back, 200m fly, 200m IM, 400m IM )
Jakabos Zsuzsanna (4x200m relay)
Kalmár Ákos (800m free 1500m free)
Kapás Boglárka (200m fly)
Kenderesi Tamás (200m fly)
Késely Ajna (400m free, 800m free 1500m free)
Kós Hubert (200m IM)
Kovács Benedek (4x100m mixed medley)
Kozma Dominik (200m free)
Lobanovszkij Makszim (50m free)
Márton Richárd (4x200m relay)
Mihályvári Farkas Viktória (1500m free, 400m IM)
Milák Kristóf (100m fly, 200m fly)
Németh Nándor (100m free, 200m free)
Sebestyén Dalma (200m IM, 100m fly– B)
Senánszky Petra (50m free – B, 100m free – B)
Sztankovics Anna (100m breast– B)
Szabó Szebasztián (100m free, 100m fly)
Takács Tamás (4x100m medley relay)
Telegdy Ádám (100m back, 200m back)
Veres Laura (4x200m relay)
Verrasztó Dávid (400m IM)
Verrasztó Evelyn (4x200m relay)
Zombori Gábor (400m free)
Open Water
Olasz Anna (10km)
Rasovszky Kristóf (10km)
Death, Taxes, and Laszlo being a god
I’m most impressed by SwimSwam’s ability to track down a picture of Laszlo with hair. Unbelievable rarity. Solid journalism.
I am literally madly in love with Laszlo Cseh
He’s probably thinking, “Thank God I’m now rid of Phelps and Lochte.”
After the 200 IM final in 2011, where Cseh placed third, he said, “The Americans are too good for me. Only Ryan can beat Michael, but I can improve myself and continue to swim faster.”
Hungary is such a swimming powerhouse, I’m always impressed by the talent they pump out.
That “What if” game is always fun to play, but could you imagine this mans medal count if not having Lochte and Phelps present in his prime. Don’t get me wrong I’m a huge fan of Phelps and Lochte, but this guys greatness did get overshadowed.
Slightly glad Milak isn’t going to swim the 200free. I enjoyed his 200 free swims this year and was rooting for him to go 1:44, but in the end, his PR would barely make it into the final and it would’ve taken away from the zap he needs to go 1:49 and 49 in the fly.
I do not think he needs 1:49 – modest 1.51 would be more than enough
1:49 will be needed for himself.
In a year where the old dogs are being out touched for spots on super competitive teams this is exactly what I needed. Nice job Laszlo! You got the job done, mate!