Remember “Pici”. That was the nickname of Istv\u00e1n Kozma. We stand here now before the final resting place of a true Hungarian hero. This is Kozma Istv\u00e1n. He was no ordinary man. He was a giant in the world of Greco-Roman wrestling.
Istv\u00e1n Kozma was born in Budapest on November 27 1939. Everyone knew him as “Pici” which means “small”. This nickname is ironic considering his towering height of 1.98 meters. He weighed between 125 and 140 kilograms.
Before wrestling Kozma excelled in basketball. He even played for the junior national team. But fate had other plans. Lajos Kresztes convinced him to try wrestling in 1958. He joined Vasas Budapest. This marked the beginning of an extraordinary career.
Kozma quickly rose through the ranks. He competed in both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling. His greatest achievements came in Greco-Roman. He dominated the heavyweight division. From 1960 until his death he was a pillar of the Hungarian national team.
Kozma participated in three Olympic Games. He won gold medals in Tokyo in 1964 and Mexico City in 1968. He is still the only Hungarian wrestler to win two Olympic gold medals. He was preparing for the 1972 Munich Olympics.
His list of accomplishments is impressive. Kozma was a three-time World Champion. He won in 1962 1966 and 1967. He also secured a World Championship silver medal in 1965. He won a bronze medal in 1961. In 1967 he became a European Champion. He also earned two European Championship silver medals in 1966 and 1968.
Tragedy struck on April 9 1970. At only 30 years old Kozma died in a car accident. He was on his way to visit the actor couple \u00c9va Ruttkai and Zolt\u00e1n Latinovits. His untimely death shocked the nation.
Despite his imposing size Kozma was incredibly agile on the mat. His signature moves involved swift counterattacks. His flexibility was surprising. He was named Hungarian Sportsman of the Year in 1967.
Kozma was inducted into the FILA Hall of Fame in 2007. The Hungarian Wrestling Federation named its academy after him. It is now known as the Kozma Istv\u00e1n Hungarian Wrestling Academy. Training began here in 2021.
Kozma’s legacy extends beyond his athletic achievements. He was known for his cheerful personality. His fellow athletes respected him. They admired his willingness to help others. He was a true sportsman.
The Magyar Birk\u00f3z\u00f3k Sz\u00f6vets\u00e9ge established a foundation and youth memorial competition in his honor. In 2018 the foundation stone of the Kozma Istv\u00e1n Wrestling Academy was laid in Csepel. Kozma Istv\u00e1n remains a legend. He was an inspiration to wrestlers. His memory lives on in the sport he loved.