Tamás Kásás
Tamás Kásás (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈtɒmaːʃ ˈkaːʃaːʃ]; born July 20, 1976 in Budapest) is a retired 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 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.
Club career
Clubs
Honours
National
- Olympic Games:
Gold medal - 2000, 2004, 2008
- World Championships:
Gold medal - 2003; 
Silver medal - 1998, 2005, 2007
- European Championship:
Gold medal - 1997, 1999; 
Silver medal - 1995, 2006; 
Bronze medal - 2001, 2003, 2008, 2012
- FINA World League:
Gold medal - 2003, 2004; 
Bronze medal - 2002
- FINA World Cup: Gold medal - 1995, 1999;
Silver medal - 2002, 2006; Bronze medal - 1997
- Junior World Championships: (Gold medal - 1995)
- Junior European Championship: (Gold medal - 1994)
Club
-
Italian Championship (Serie A1): 9x (2000, 2001 - with Posillipo; 2005 - with Savona; 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 - with Pro Recco)
-
Italian Cup: 5x (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 - with Pro Recco)
- Adriatic League: 1x (2012 - with Pro Recco)
- Euroleague Winners (5): (1998 - with Posillipo; 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012 - with Pro Recco)
- LEN Cup Winners (2): (1997 - with UTE; 2005 - with Savona)
- LEN Super Cup Winner (4): (2007, 2008, 2010, 2012 - with Pro Recco)
Awards
References
Hungary
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Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary with the Star (2008)[1]
Aleksandr Yeryshov