Tibor Benedek

The native form of this personal name is Benedek Tibor. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.

Tibor Benedek
Personal information
Born (1972-07-12)12 July 1972
Budapest, Hungary[1]
Died 18 June 2020(2020-06-18) (aged 47)
Budapest, Hungary
Nationality Hungarian
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position Wing
Handedness Left
Youth career
1980–0000
 KSI
Senior clubs
Years Team
0000–1989
 KSI
1989–1996
 UTE-Office & Home
1996–2001
 INA Assitalia Roma
2001–2004
 Pro Recco
2004–2007
 Domino-BHSE
2006
 → Sliema (Summer League)
2007–2012
 Pro Recco
National team
Years Team Apps
1990–2008
  Hungary 384
Teams coached
2010–2012
 Hungary (assistant)
2013–2016
 Hungary
2018–2020
 UVSE-Hunguest Hotels
Medal record
Men's water polo
Representing  Hungary
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2000 Sydney Team competition
Gold medal – first place 2004 Athens Team competition
Gold medal – first place 2008 Beijing Team competition
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2003 Barcelona Team competition
Silver medal – second place 1998 Perth Team competition
Silver medal – second place 2007 Melbourne Team competition
Bronze medal – third place 1991 Perth Team competition
European Championship
Gold medal – first place 1997 Sevilla Team competition
Silver medal – second place 1993 Sheffield Team competition
Silver medal – second place 1995 Vienna Team competition
Silver medal – second place 2006 Belgrade Team competition
Bronze medal – third place 2001 Budapest Team competition
Bronze medal – third place 2003 Kranj Team competition
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Málaga Team competition
FINA World Cup
Gold medal – first place 1995 Atlanta Team competition
Silver medal – second place 1993 Athens Team competition
Silver medal – second place 2002 Belgrade Team competition
Bronze medal – third place 1997 Athens Team competition

Tibor Benedek (12 July 1972 – 18 June 2020) was a Hungarian professional water polo player and coach, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He played on the gold medal squads at the 2000 Summer Olympics, 2004 Summer Olympics and 2008 Summer Olympics. Benedek also competed at the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics, where the Hungarian team placed 6th and 4th, respectively.

Benedek was the head coach of Hungary men's national water polo team between 2013 and 2016.[2]

Benedek was named Hungarian Water Polo Player of the Year in 1992, 1993 and 1994. He made his debut for the national side in 1990. His father, Miklós Benedek, is an actor.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest water polo players of all time,[3] Benedek ranks second on the all-time scoring list in Olympic history, with 65 goals. He was the joint top goalscorer at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, with 22 goals, and the top goalscorer at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, with 19 goals. Benedek is the ninth player to compete in water polo at five Olympics, and one of ten male athletes who won three Olympic gold medals in water polo.[1] In 2016, he was inducted in the International Swimming Hall of Fame.[4]

Tibor Benedek died on 18 June 2020 due to pancreatic cancer. His death was announced by the Hungarian Water Polo Federation.[5]

  1. ^ a b Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Tibor Benedek". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Vízilabda: kiválasztották az új kapitányt, itt a Benedek-utód!". nemzetisport.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  3. ^ Curcic, Ivan (18 June 2020). "Tibor Benedek passed away". total-waterpolo.com. Total Waterpolo.
  4. ^ "Tibor Benedek (HUN)". ISHOF.org. International Swimming Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 20 June 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Legendary Water Polo Player and Coach Tibor Benedek Dies at Age 47". Hungary Today. 18 June 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2020.