Tamas Kasas
Encyclopedia
Tamás Kásás (ˈtɒmaːʃ ˈkaːʃaːʃ) (born July 20, 1976 in Budapest
) is a Hungarian water polo
player, with a height of 200 cm and a weight of 90 kg.
Kásás is often described as the best defensive player of his era, if not the best overall. He is known for his ability to spring out of the water and block shots, as well as his strength in one-on-one situations. He is also noted for his highly accurate shots and passes.
He picked up the sport at the age of six, being taught by his father Zoltán, who is a renowned coach in Hungary
. Zoltán Kásás was also a gifted player who won an Olympic silver medal in 1972, a World Championship in 1973, and a European title in 1974.
He made his Olympic debut in 1996, where Hungary reached the semifinals before losing to the Manuel Estiarte
led Spanish squad. However, the Hungarian team bounced back to win European Championships in 1997 and 1999, as well as a Champions League cup in 1998, culminating with Olympic golds at Sydney in 2000, Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008.
In 2007 Kásás won Euro League with Pro Recco
. He was named Most Valuable Player at the 2002 FINA Men's Water Polo World Cup
, where Hungary claimed the silver medal.
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
) is a Hungarian water polo
Water polo
Water polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...
player, with a height of 200 cm and a weight of 90 kg.
Kásás is often described as the best defensive player of his era, if not the best overall. He is known for his ability to spring out of the water and block shots, as well as his strength in one-on-one situations. He is also noted for his highly accurate shots and passes.
He picked up the sport at the age of six, being taught by his father Zoltán, who is a renowned coach in Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. Zoltán Kásás was also a gifted player who won an Olympic silver medal in 1972, a World Championship in 1973, and a European title in 1974.
He made his Olympic debut in 1996, where Hungary reached the semifinals before losing to the Manuel Estiarte
Manuel Estiarte
Manuel Estiarte Duocastella is a former water polo player from Spain. He is considered by many the best of all time.Estiarte has played 578 times for the Spanish team...
led Spanish squad. However, the Hungarian team bounced back to win European Championships in 1997 and 1999, as well as a Champions League cup in 1998, culminating with Olympic golds at Sydney in 2000, Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008.
In 2007 Kásás won Euro League with Pro Recco
Pro Recco
A.S.D. Pro Recco are an Italian water polo club from Recco in Liguria.Pro Recco was founded in 1913 as Rari Nantes Enotria...
. He was named Most Valuable Player at the 2002 FINA Men's Water Polo World Cup
2002 FINA Men's Water Polo World Cup
The 2002 FINA Men's Water Polo World Cup was the twelfth edition of the event, organised by the world's governing body in aquatics, the International Swimming Federation . The event took place in the Tašmajdan Swimming Pool in Belgrade, Serbia from August 20 to August 25, 2002...
, where Hungary claimed the silver medal.
Performances
- Olympic Games : Gold Medal (2008, 2004, 2000)
- World Championships : Gold Medal (2003), Silver Medal (1998, 2005, 2007)
- European Championships : Gold Medal (1997, 1999) Silver Medal (1995, 2006) Bronze Medal (2001, 2003, 2008)
- World League : Gold Medal (2004, 2003), Bronze (2002)
- FINA Cup : Gold Medal (1999, 1996)
- Euro League : (2007, 2008)
- Italian Championships : (2007, 2005, 2001, 2000)