Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort was delighted to welcome the Hungarian National Swim Team from 13 January – 2 February 2018
Thanyapura was delighted to welcome the Hungarian National Swim Team back on campus from 13 January – 2 February 2018, who were there to continue their rigorous training programme.
The team are currently preparing for the 2018 European Junior Championships, the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, and the European Swimming Championships. Güttler Károly, Coach for the Hungarian National Swim Team, shared, “This was the first training camp that we had planned for 2018. It is not easy because we do 8 km of swimming training each day, and 1 ½ hours in the gym. It’s 6 ½ hours per day for the athletes, and training efforts are doubled for medalists.”
Boglárka Kapás, 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro Bronze medalist, World Championship Bronze medalist and 6 times European Champion was amongst those returning to train. She shared what motivates her to keep swimming, “I train 16 km per day. It is a lot for me, and sometimes I feel like I don’t want to do it anymore and I don’t want to jump in the water. But I still remember back when I was 5 years old, my dream was to be an Olympic champion and I still hold that dream today. When I feel tired I just remember the reason why I started to swim in the first place, and it always motivates me.”
Kenderesi Tamás, 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro Bronze medalist, 2016 European Aquatics Championships Bronze medalist and 2017 European Short Course Swimming Championships Bronze medalist, was also part of this year’s visiting team. When asked about his expectations for 2020, he replied, “I will focus for each competition and go step by step. Michael Phelps is my role model. He helped me a lot and I’ve watched his videos since I was 10 years old. I have now a chance to swim with him at the Olympics and it is a very special moment for me. I’m also focused on my own goals, and I really want to break the world record at the upcoming Olympic Games.” When asked about his visit to Thanyapura, he shared, “This is my first time visiting. I really like this place and the temperature is very good for swimming. I am not surprised that most Olympics swimmers choose to come and train here.”
Thousands of athletes frequently choose Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort each year, due to its unique combination of world-class facilities and ideal location – especially during the winter months. Its subtropical environment provides little season fluctuation in climate throughout the year. When asked why the Hungarian National Swim Team continues to choose Thanyapura, Coach Károly replied, “The weather is much better than Hungary (during this time of year). Now in Hungary it is snowing and the sky is very dark and grey.”
The team chose Thanyapura as their primary training ground due to its impressive selection of facilities and features. It offers its members, visitors and guests access to a 50m Olympic pool, 25m training pool, 500m running track, fitness centre and integrative health & wellness centre, along with award-winning all-day dining options. When asked about his most recent stay at Thanyapura, Károly replied, “I cannot find anything bad about this place. This is the fourth time that the team has come to stay. We like it so much here.”
