Sándor Rozsnyói

Sándor Rozsnyói was a steeplechase specialist who in August 1954 set the first IAAF-recognized world record in the 3,000 metre steeple, recording 8:49.6 at Bern, Switzerland, while winning the 1954 European Championships. He also set four Hungarian records in the event and won Hungarian titles in 1954-55. Rozsnyói set another world record with 8:35.6 in Budapest in September 1956 and went to Melbourne as the favorite in his event, but was edged out for the gold medal by Britain’s Chris Brasher.

After the 1956 Olympics Rozsnyói elected not to return to Hungary and settled initially in Austria, running briefly for them and then was national team coach in 1960. He studied geography at the University of Wien (Vienna) and emigrated to Australia in 1964, where he worked as a physical education teacher and tennis coach at the Epping Boys High School, Cumberland High School and Model Farms High School, and as a coach with the Ryde-Hornsby Athletic Club until his retirement.

Personal Best: 3000S – 8:35.6 (1956).