József Kovács

József Kovács started his sport career as high jumper with KAOE, but in 1927 moved to Budapesti Budai Torna Egylet (BBTE) and switched to the sprints and hurdles. He won 29 Hungarian championships and set 20 Hungarian records in multiple events. He was the first Hungarian to run 400 metres under 48 seconds and the first under 15 seconds in the 110 metre hurdles. His national record at 200 metres was only broken 31 years later. Between 1930-38, he was capped 27 times.

In 1934, in the 110 hurdles, Kovács won Hungary’s first European Championship in athletics, adding a silver medal in the 4x100. The following year, he won the World University Championships in the 400 hurdles and 4x400. He finished in sixth place at the 1936 Berlin Olympics with the Hungarian 4x400 relay, reaching the semi-finals of the 400 hurdles. Kovács won a silver medal in the 400 hurdles at the 1938 European Championships.

Between 1950 and 1954, Kovács was the head coach of the Hungarian national team’s sprinters and relays. From 1962-68, he was acting head coach of the Athletics Department at the Indian College of Physical Education. From 1968 to 1974 he coached the Turkish Athletics Association. He completed his coaching career at Budapesti Egyetemi Atlétikai Club (BEAC).

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.5 (1934); 400 – 47.7 (1937); 400H – 52.9 (1936).