The FIE regrets to inform our world fencing family of the passing of Hungarian epee champion Gyongyi Szalay. An Olympic bronze medallist (Atlanta 1996), Ms. Szalay was only 49, born on March 24, 1968. She died on December 30.
Coached by King Eitner, she was from Tapolca, Hungary and fenced on the national women’s epee team from 1989 to 1999, earning seven World Championships gold medals in team events. In 1991, she was European champion.
'I am still shocked,' said Krisztian Kulscar, Hungarian Olympic Committee president and fencing World Champion. 'We are not only mourning a great athlete and a fencing coach as the Hungarian Olympic Movement and the Hungarian Fencing Federation lost a person who was respected and dearly loved by the entire sport community.'
We offer our sincere condolences to Ms. Szalay’s family, friends, teammates, and the Hungarian Fencing Federation.
Photo credit: Hungary Fencing Federation