The three winners of the Szentkirályi Talent Program were announced

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 07. 12. 11:09

Female athletes triumphed in the Szentkirályi Talent Program in 2024. The initiative created with the professional support of the Hungarian Olympic Committee, together with the ambassador of the program, Olympic gymnast Krisztián Berki, sought out the three outstanding young athletes aged 14-18 in the summer Olympic sports, whose sports development can be supported by Szentkirályi with a total prize of HUF 3.5 million. The ceremonial announcement of results took place on July 11, where the winners were introduced. The soon-to-be-started public vote will decide their ranking, and therefore their prize money.

As a committed supporter of domestic talents, Szentkirályi has set its goal for the fifth time this year to find and help future sports champions who can further increase our country’s Olympic gold medals.In the program launched in April, talented youth athletes aged 14-18 in summer Olympic sports were expected to apply. From the record number of more than 150 applicants, the five-member jury – Krisztián Berki, sports director of the Hungarian Gymnastics Federation, pentathlon champion, Levente Balogh, president of Szentkirályi Hungary, Tímea Nagy, two-time Olympic champion fencer, László Fábián, secretary general of the Hungarian Olympic Committee, Olympic champion pentathlon champion, and Katalin Kovács three-time Olympic champion kayaker – based on professional criteria, he selected the three young athletes whose sports careers the award-winning mineral water brand supports with a total of HUF 3.5 million in support and national recognition.

The 2024 winners of the Szentkirályi Talent Program

Swimmer Nagy Napsugár only turned 16 this year, but he is already a multiple long-distance and short-course Hungarian champion, and he won a silver medal at last year’s Open Water Youth European Championships. His definite goal is to continuously improve in his sport, and to improve his personal bests, to participate in as many world and European competitions as possible.

The 18-year-old Zóra Zemán pentathlon has finished first 13 times in domestic and international competitions in the last three years. Zóra has been playing sports since she was 5 years old, and since 2021 she has been a certified U19 pentathlete. His dream is to reach the national team in the U19 and junior age groups in 2024, and to reach the podium at both the European and World Championships.

The also 18-year-old athlete Kriszt Sarolta has won 15 national championship gold medals in the heptathlon in the last three years, and won gold and silver medals in the pentathlon at European competitions. The athlete chosen as the Youth Female Athlete of the Year in 2023 is already competing in the junior age group this year. She is preparing for the women’s relay of the European Championships in Rome with high hopes and enthusiasm, but her main goal is to show her best possible form in the heptathlon at the U20 World Championships in Peru.