Attila Keresztes

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameAttila•Keresztes
Used nameAttila•Keresztes
Born18 January 1928 in Budapest, Budapest (HUN)
Died27 September 2002 in Budapest, Budapest (HUN)
Measurements183 cm / 82 kg
AffiliationsBVSC, Budapest (HUN) / NYAC, New York (USA)
NOC Hungary United States
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Attila Keresztes was a member of the 1956 Hungarian sabre team which, led by the great Rudolf Karpati and Aladár Gerevich, won the gold medal. With Gene Hámori, Keresztes defected after the Olympics and made the US Olympic team in 1964. In the United States he represented the New York Athletic Club in competition, and won or shared four national championships: the 1962-63 team sabre, and the 1964 individual sabre and team three-weapon. Keresztes had an engineering degree, but he developed a problem with alcohol abuse and ended up driving a cab in Manhattan. He wound up in a wheelchair and returned to Hungary in the late 90s, taking up an offer from the Hungarian sports ministry’s office to provide him with medical care, an apartment, and a pension. He died in Budapest in 2002.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1956 Summer Olympics Fencing HUN Attila Keresztes
Sabre, Team, Men (Olympic) Hungary 1 Gold
1964 Summer Olympics Fencing USA Attila Keresztes
Sabre, Individual, Men (Olympic) 6 p1 r2/4
Sabre, Team, Men (Olympic) United States =7

Special Notes