(2015 ☆ ARCHIVED) Kálmán Petrovics - Hungary

KALMAN PETROVICS (HUNGARY) - Nominee for 'Lifetime Achievement'.

Kálmán Petrovics's (born 10 April 1961) dedication to canoe/kayak is second to none. After retiring from competition, he has devoted his life to the sport and in particular the EDF Szeged Canoe-Kayak Club which is now one of the most well-known clubs in the world.

On the water Kálmán has achieved some phenomenal results: he has won a complete set of medals in the K4 10,000m at the World Championships with a gold in 1985 in Mechelen, a silver in 1987 in Duiburg and a bronze in 1986 in Montreal. He also qualified to compete at the 1984 Olympic Games, but was unable to attend due to political warfare.

Following his retirement he took on the role of managing upcoming athletes and devoted a lot of his time and energy towards building a high calibre club in Szeged, Hungary. As the Director of EDF Szeged Canoe-Kayak Club he inspires young children to become the best they can be both within sport and their lives as well as assisting established champions as much as he can.

From being a financially failing club in 2000, Mr. Petrovics (with help from the board of directors) worked hard at ascertaining sponsorship deals and implementing a successful management team, turning the EDF Szeged Canoe-Kayak Club into a world renowned facility. The club now engages in hosting upcoming athletes from all over the world where they enjoy top notch coaching, equipment access and a great cultural experience.

Mr. Petrovics currently serves on the MKKSZ (Hungarian Kayak/Canoe association board) and tirelessly extends his energy towards the growth of the discipline at large. Not only are Kálmáns management skills excellent, but his people skills are as well. He balances his multi level commitments enthusiastically and effectively and communicates exceptionally well with all of his peers. 

On top of these achievements he has also helped culturally diversify the sport. He had a dream to design several instruments, one being a guitar-shaped paddle, and produce music for the enjoyment of athletes and fans. In fact, with the help of several ex-Olympians from different disciplines, he composed a C.D. called Mitosza Olympia.

Kálmán Petrovics is truly an inspiration, his selflessness, dedication and enthusiasm for the sport is awe-sinpsring; for this he is being nominated for a Lifetime Achievement award. 

Activites and achievements off the water:

• Director of EDF Szeged Canoe-Kayak Club
• Serves on the Hungarian Kayak/Canoe association board
• Composed a C.D. called Mitosza Olympia
• Sport: Kayak Sprint, Represents: Hungary;
• 1990: gold k1 World Championships Marathon in Copenhagen
• 1985: gold K4 10,000m at the World Championships Sprint in Mechelen
• 1986: bronze K4 10,000m at the World Championships Sprint in Montreal
• 1987: silver K4 10,000m at the World Championships Sprint in Duisburg.

This is a 2015 archived nominee. Voting has closed.