Born: January 9, 1921
Biography:
Ágnes Keleti (née Klein) was a Hungarian-Israeli retired Olympic and world champion artistic gymnast and coach. Born on January 9, 1921, she reached her 100th birthday on January 9, 2021, making her the oldest living Olympic champion and medalist in history. Keleti’s remarkable achievements in gymnastics and her enduring legacy have made her an iconic figure in the world of sports.
Keleti’s journey in gymnastics began at the tender age of 4 when she first started practicing the sport. Her talent and dedication quickly became evident, and by the age of 16, she had already become the Hungarian National Champion in gymnastics. This early success signaled the start of a remarkable career that would span two decades.
Between 1937 and 1956, Keleti dominated the Hungarian gymnastics scene, winning the Championships title an astonishing ten times. Her grace, strength, and brilliant technique set her apart from her peers, establishing her as one of the most prominent gymnasts of her time. Her achievements and potential caught the attention of sports enthusiasts around the world, and she was widely regarded as a top prospect for the Hungarian team at the 1940 Olympics.
Sadly, the escalation of World War II brought devastating consequences, resulting in the cancellation of both the 1940 and 1944 Games. Tragically, Keleti faced additional challenges as the dark shadow of anti-Semitism loomed over her gymnastics career. In 1941, she was expelled from her gymnastics club for being a non-Aryan. She was forced to go into hiding to survive the war, relying on her resourcefulness and strength to overcome numerous obstacles.
In 1944, Keleti hastily married Hungarian gymnast István Sárkány. At the time, it was rumored that married women were less likely to be taken to labor camps. Sadly, this marriage did not last, and the couple divorced in 1950. During the war, Keleti used forged identity papers of a Christian girl, which enabled her to work as a maid in a small village, evading detection. Meanwhile, her mother and sister found refuge with the help of Swiss protection papers issued by diplomat Carl Lutz and possibly Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg. Tragically, her father and other relatives were murdered by the Nazis in the Auschwitz concentration camp.
Despite the hardships she endured during the war, Keleti’s fighting spirit remained unbroken. In the winter of 1944-45, during the Siege of Budapest by Soviet forces, she displayed incredible courage and compassion. Each morning, she would gather the bodies of those who had perished and lay them to rest in a mass grave, a somber task that reflected her resilience and unwavering determination.
After the war, Keleti’s love for gymnastics never waned. She found solace and joy in playing the cello professionally while continuing her training. In 1946, she won her first Hungarian championship, and the following year, she claimed the Central European gymnastics title. As she was preparing to compete in the 1948 Summer Olympics, tragedy struck again when she tore a ligament in her ankle, forcing her to withdraw from the competition. Despite this setback, Keleti’s commitment to her sport and unwavering spirit persisted.
Keleti’s greatest triumphs would come at the 1952 and 1956 Summer Olympics. At the Helsinki Games in 1952, she won four gold medals, one silver medal, and two bronze medals, solidifying her status as one of the world’s premier gymnasts. However, her crowning achievement came at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, where she won an additional 10 medals, including five gold medals, three silver medals, and two bronze medals. Her outstanding performance made her the most successful athlete at the games.
In 1957, Keleti made the life-altering decision to immigrate to Israel, where she would live until 2015. During her time in Israel, she inspired a generation of young gymnasts, becoming a highly regarded coach and mentor. Her dedication and expertise helped shape the future of Israeli gymnastics, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
At the age of 94, Keleti returned to her birth country of Hungary in 2015. Her homecoming was filled with warmth and admiration as the nation celebrated her extraordinary achievements. Today, she continues to be an inspirational figure, a living testament to the power of perseverance and the triumph of the human spirit.
Ágnes Keleti’s legacy in gymnastics is unparalleled. As the individual with the most Olympic medals of any individual with Israeli citizenship and the second most Olympic medals among Jewish athletes, she has forever etched her name in the annals of athletic history. Her strength, grace, and unwavering determination have made her an icon, not only within the world of gymnastics but also in women’s sports and Jewish sporting history. Ágnes Keleti’s extraordinary life journey serves as a constant reminder of the power of resilience, and her legacy continues to inspire generations to chase their dreams and overcome adversity.
Awards:
– 4 Gold medals at the 1952 Summer Olympics
– 1 Silver medal at the 1952 Summer Olympics
– 2 Bronze medals at the 1952 Summer Olympics
– 5 Gold medals at the 1956 Summer Olympics
– 3 Silver medals at the 1956 Summer Olympics
– 2 Bronze medals at the 1956 Summer Olympics