Births on May 3

Katinka Hosszú, Hungarian swimmer

Katinka Hosszú (Hungarian: [ˈkɒtiŋkɒ ˈhossuː]), born on May 3, 1989, is a celebrated Hungarian competitive swimmer whose name has become synonymous with excellence, particularly in individual medley events. Known for her remarkable versatility and endurance, Hosszú has carved out an illustrious career, captivating fans with her powerful performances and resilient spirit across multiple Olympic cycles and international championships.

A Dominant Force in the Pool

Hosszú's illustrious career boasts a remarkable collection of accolades. She is a three-time Olympic champion, securing her gold medals at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics, where she truly shone. Beyond the Olympic stage, she has achieved an impressive nine long-course world championships, solidifying her status as one of the sport's all-time greats. Her specialization in individual medley events means she excels across all four swimming strokes—butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle—within a single race, a testament to her comprehensive skill set and adaptability.

The "Iron Lady" and Her Unprecedented Records

Such dominance and unwavering performance earned her the fitting moniker, "The Iron Lady," a nickname that has since evolved into a rapidly growing international brand. Her versatility is underscored by her impressive array of world records. Katinka Hosszú is the current world record holder in the 100-meter individual medley (short course), 200-meter individual medley (long course and short course), 400-meter individual medley (long course), and the 200-meter backstroke (short course). Historically, she achieved a truly extraordinary feat by becoming the first swimmer, male or female, to simultaneously hold world records in all five individual medley events: 100m IM (short course), 200m IM (long course), 200m IM (short course), 400m IM (long course), and 400m IM (short course). Domestically, her influence is equally profound, as she holds an astonishing two-thirds of all Hungarian national swimming records, a testament to her unparalleled impact on her nation's aquatic sports.

A Pioneer Beyond Competition

Hosszú's influence extends beyond the competitive pool. She is a proactive entrepreneur in the swimming world, owning and operating Iron Swim Budapest, a Budapest-based swim school and swim club that nurtures the next generation of Hungarian swimmers. Furthermore, she is a co-owner and captain of Team Iron, an integral founding member of the International Swimming League (ISL). The ISL, a groundbreaking professional swimming league, has revolutionized the sport by providing athletes with a team-based competition format and unprecedented financial opportunities, and Hosszú has been at the forefront of this movement, helping to shape the future of professional swimming.

A Journey of Longevity and Adaptability

Hosszú's career is also marked by remarkable longevity and adaptability. She has proudly represented Hungary at five Summer Olympics: Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021). This sustained presence at the pinnacle of global sport highlights her enduring dedication and resilience. Throughout her career, she has navigated various coaching relationships. After a long and successful tenure under her then-husband, Shane Tusup, she transitioned to work with esteemed coaches like Dave Salo, followed by Árpád Petrov. By the end of 2019, she parted ways with Petrov, and by the following year, she had enlisted the expertise of József Nagy as her coach, continually seeking the best guidance to maintain her elite performance. Currently, she proudly swims for her own outfit, Team Iron Swim Budapest.

Impact and Recognition

Her consistent excellence has garnered widespread international recognition. Hosszú was named FINA Swimmer of the Year four times in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018, and received SwimSwam's prestigious Swammy Award for Female Swimmer of the Year in 2013, underscoring her consistent high performance over many seasons. A true pioneer, she made history in 2014 by becoming the first swimmer, male or female, to earn over a million dollars in race prize money, a significant milestone in a sport where professional earnings have traditionally been modest. Her impact extends beyond the aquatic arena, as Forbes magazine has consistently recognized her as the most valuable Hungarian athlete, holding the top position for the last five consecutive years, highlighting her immense marketability and influence within her home country and globally.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Katinka Hosszú's nickname and why?

Katinka Hosszú is widely known as "The Iron Lady." This nickname reflects her incredible strength, resilience, and consistent dominance in competitive swimming, which she has successfully transformed into an international brand.

What are individual medley events?

Individual medley (IM) events require swimmers to compete using all four competitive swimming strokes in a specific order: butterfly, then backstroke, followed by breaststroke, and finally freestyle. Hosszú is specialized in these events, demonstrating her exceptional versatility across all strokes.

How many Olympic gold medals has Katinka Hosszú won?

Katinka Hosszú has won three Olympic gold medals, all of which she secured at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.

What business ventures is Katinka Hosszú involved in?

Beyond her swimming career, Katinka Hosszú owns and operates Iron Swim Budapest, a swim school and club. She is also a co-owner and captain of Team Iron, a founding member of the professional International Swimming League (ISL).

What are some of Katinka Hosszú's most significant world records?

Katinka Hosszú currently holds world records in the 100m individual medley (short course), 200m individual medley (long course and short course), 400m individual medley (long course), and 200m backstroke (short course). She also holds the historical distinction of being the first swimmer ever to hold world records in all five individual medley events simultaneously.

Who is Katinka Hosszú's current coach?

After working with several renowned coaches throughout her career, Katinka Hosszú's current coach is József Nagy, whom she hired in 2020.

What is the International Swimming League (ISL)?

The International Swimming League (ISL) is a professional, team-based swimming competition established to provide more professional opportunities and higher earnings for elite swimmers worldwide. Katinka Hosszú's Team Iron was one of its founding members.

Is Katinka Hosszú still actively competing?

Yes, Katinka Hosszú remains an active and prominent figure in competitive swimming, as evidenced by her current world record holdings and continued participation in high-level competitions, often representing her own team, Team Iron Swim Budapest.