The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Hungary congratulates the outstanding Hungarian wrestler on the occasion of his 75th birthday

Budapest, September 6, 2023 - the Ambassador of Kazakhstan Zhanibek Abdrashov took part in the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Csaba Hegedüs.

In his congratulations, the Kazakh diplomat noted the unique place of the legendary Hungarian athlete in world sports, who won the 100th Olympic medal for Hungary in the Greco-Roman competition and became a two-time European champion.

Zhanibek Abdrashov also added that the wrestling style of Csaba Hegedüs and his human qualities, the legacy he left in the sport, continue to create a high interest in sports among young people. In addition, the Hungarian wrestler is highly respected by the athletes of Kazakhstan.

The President of the Hungarian Wrestling Federation - Deputy Chairman of the Fidesz Party Szilárd Németh, the Secretary General of the Hungarian Olympic Committee László Fábián, as well as athletes and close friends also attended the event and congratulated the Hungarian champion.

It should be noted that Csaba Hegedüs was born on September 6, 1948 in the town of Sárvár, where he started his sports career. He joined the Szombathelyi Volán team in 1957. In 1967 he played for Vasas Budapest, where he won the Hungarian championship five times. His first appearance at the World Championships was in 1968. He was a member of the Hungarian team in the 82 kg category. In 1971 he won the national championship in both weight classes, winning both fights, and in the same year he won the gold medal at the World Championships in Sofia, where he defeated all his opponents in one round. After that, the nickname "King Touch" (touch - counted when a wrestler pins his opponent with both shoulder blades on the working area of the mat) stuck to him in Hungary, and the international press called him "Mr. Touch".

After a serious car accident, his life was in immediate danger for a long time, but thanks to his incredible willpower, he recovered.

At the 1975 World Championships in Minsk, he had already stepped on the carpet and finished fourth, losing to Soviet wrestler Anatoly Nazarenko. His sporting greatness is confirmed by the fact that he became European Champion in 1976 and European Champion in 1977 in the category up to 90 kg.