Mexico City, October 1968: the Hungarian winners in the modern pentathlon team event: (L-R) Ferenc TOROK, Andras BALCZO and Istvan MONA. Credit: IOC Olympic Museum CollectionsBorn: 16 August 1938
Birthplace: Kondoros (Hungary)
Nationality: Hungary
Sport: Modern Pentathlon
ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Rome 1960
Mexico 1968
Munich 1972
AWARDS
Olympic medals:
Gold: 3
Silver: 2
Details
Other results:
World Championships
Gold: 11 (63, 65, 66, 67, 69, 70, 71)
Silver: 6 (58, 59, 61, 62, 69, 70)
Bronze: 2 (61, 71)
The Patient Pentathlete
Hungarian Andras Balczo was the winner of a record five individual and five team titles in the modern pentathlon at the World Championships, winning the individual championship consecutively from 1963-1969 (it is not held in Olympic years). After placing fourth in the individual event at the 1960 Olympics, Balczó won team gold medal at the same year. In 1968, he won the silver medal in the individual event and gold in the team. In 1972, he won the individual title and a silver medal in the team event, for a total of five Olympic medals (three gold, two silver). Although the reigning world champion, he did not compete in the 1964 Games but his overall record is the greatest of any modern pentathlete. His best event was cross-country running. Balczó's career was as a typewriter mechanic.
