Imre NEMETH

Imre Németh was the first of many great Hungarian hammer throwers who dominated the discipline after the World War II. Németh first competed internationally at the 1946 European Championships, where he finished fourth. Just two weeks before the London Olympics in 1948, he threw 59.02 for the first of three world records, and thus established himself as gold medal favorite at the London Olympics. He did not disappoint, recording the three longest throws of the competition and winning gold. Németh set his second world record of 59.57 in September 1949 and his third (59.88) in May 1950, but missed the 1950 European Championships, because Hungary did not send any athletes to the competition. As a world record owner, Németh was favored at the 1952 Olympics, but was upset by young compatriot József Csermák in the final and had to settle for a bronze medal. Németh’s final appearance at international level was finishing sixth at the 1954 European Championships. He was a 12-time Hungarian hammer throw champion (1942-52, 1955).

From 1949-53, Németh was a member of the Hungarian parliament and from 1953 until his retirement in 1980, he was the director of People’s Stadium (now named Ferenc Puskás Stadium), a multi-purpose stadium in Budapest. From 1964-73 Németh was also the president of the Hungarian Athletics Federation and from 1958-63 he was a member of Hungarian National Council of Physical Education. His son Miklós Németh became a javelin thrower, who won Olympic gold in 1976.

Personal Best: HT – 60.31 (1952).