Hungarian skating federation news & articles

[Sylvia]

"After the board meeting, MOKSZ terminated the mandate of Dr. Vardanjan Gurgen as figure skating branch sports director by mutual agreement. The presidency will decide on the person of the new head of the figure skating sector in the near future." (May 4, 2023)

Új ágazati igazgatók a jeges sportágak élén | Magyar Országos Korcsolyázó Szövetség - MOKSZ

Szerdán este szezonértékelő ülést tartott a Magyar Országos Korcsolyázó Szövetség elnöksége, amely pénzügyi beszámolóról, költségvetésről, szakmai programokról és személyi kérdésekről döntött. A MOKSZ elnöksége elfogadta a 2022. évi pénzügyi beszámolót és a 2023. évi költségvetés-tervezetet...

hunskate.hu

 

[Sylvia]

April 26, 2023 article:

Balhé a műkorcsolyában: gyanús alakok miatt kihívták a rendőrséget egy edzésre

Galambos Rita edző feljelentést tett, mert sokkot kapott az általa verőlegényeknek nevezett férfiaktól. Sebestyén Júliát sejti a történtek mögött, aki egyelőre csak annyit mondott a Telexnek, hogy van egy másik feljelentés is.

telex.hu

Machine translated excerpt from the beginning:

Lajos Kósa, the president of the Hungarian National Skating Association, gave a long interview to 24.hu [linked below], in which he talked about several issues that divide the sport, such as the case of Russian figure skaters competing in Hungarian colors or the Hungarian competitors who seem to be forced out of the national team. [Also mentioned were] that several parents addressed the association with letters suggesting child abuse because of the pedagogical methods of the European champion Júlia Sebestyén ...

March 31 24.hu interview article:

Kósa Lajos: Ha jönnének, visszafogadnánk a Liu testvéreket | 24.hu

Miért képviselték többségében orosz vagy bő egy éve még orosz állampolgárok Magyarországot a junior és felnőtt műkorcsolya-világversenyeken? Miért nem vizsgáltatta ki a sportági ikon Sebestyén Júlia m

24.hu

Machine translated excerpt from the end of the April 26 article:

This is how Sebestyén responded to the incident in an email to Telex. "The regrettable and extremely damaging hate campaign for the sport of figure skating, which has been going on for months, has reached another low point. In recent weeks, Rita Galambos has been conducting a systematic campaign against me, the parents and athletes belonging to my club (SKSE), and by this morning it had already escalated into verbal and physical violence. Unfortunately, he has regularly provoked and insulted the association's competitors and parents, and the result is that the competitors dare to come to training only accompanied by fathers and male relatives, because they are afraid of him. During the Wednesday morning training, he insulted the parents again, then attacked me and my colleague, using words that did not tolerate printing ink. He also damaged and broke a bathroom door in several places with his skates. Police arrived at the scene, thus it was possible to prevent further action. One of my coaching colleagues filed a complaint for disorderly conduct. The terrible case shows that the accusations and slanders in sports must be put to an end, because they have such terrible consequences."

ETA:

I decided to start a new thread instead of bumping up the Sept. 2022 one that focused on Vivien Papp (adding the link here for background info & context):

Vivien Papp's decision to split from the Hungarian federation

Copying out Vivien Papp's multi-part Instagram post today (Sept. 25, 2022); she posted in Hungarian too - this is the version in English: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci7T3sPApP9/ Her ISU bio: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00110465.htm Dear Friends, Although I am only 14 years old, a huge...

www.fsuniverse.net

 

[Sylvia]

"Media reports that disciplinary proceedings have now begun against Júlia Sebestyén for the accusations of abuse towards her students and her favouritism of naturalised skaters." https://twitter.com/AnythingGOE/status/1654210908535627776
May 4 article:

Megszólalt a magyar korcsolyázó, lelki terrorban tartották

Birtokunkba jutott a levél, fegyelmi eljárás indult a bántalmazó edzővel szemben.

index.hu

Machine translated excerpt from the last section:

In Berlin, Index managed to catch up with 19-year-old József Berei Mózes, who was one of the competitors who were forced out of the national team because of naturalized Russians. Berei used to compete in Austrian colors, and later joined the Hungarian national team.

Unfortunately, things can be destroyed very quickly and repaired slowly, but now I think we are on the right track. I can see in many of my fellow athletes, including myself, how Gurgen and Sebestyén destroyed us mentally.
I was lucky enough to train abroad, but those competitors who depend on MOKSZ at home don't dare to speak up, because everyone is punished. Gurgen Vardanjan could do anything with the athletes at the click of a button. I spoke with many of my other comrades, everyone is happy with this news and everyone knows what is going on around the guild house.

Berei shared his thoughts on the fact that the sports director was fired and disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the coach.
The young skater said: he came home to Hungary full of hopes, but while he was preparing at home, he suffered a lot of disappointment and abuse. In the last one year, it was made abroad again, but according to his claim, the hatred reached there as well. He also thought about competing in Austrian colors again, but with the dismissal of the sports director and the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against Sebestyén, according to his claim, another door opened for him in Hungary.

I wouldn't have changed countries because I got naturalized competitors. But because of the mental terror in which Vardanjan kept me and my companions

- outlined Berei and mentioned that there was a naturalized Russian with whom he maintained a particularly good relationship.

I also wrote a letter to the MOKSZ ethics committee with my personal experiences. There were those who were strongly intimidated by Sebestyén, and there were those whom he treated very roughly. He did not abuse me physically, but he never listened to anyone, he was not interested in any requests or grievances. He never protected us from Vardanjan either

Berei answered the question about his experiences with Sebestyén.

With this decision, I feel that it is good to be Hungarian again, and I can be proud of it abroad. Because, unfortunately, in recent years I have competed in any country, everywhere they knew what was going on in Hungarian ice skating. We were not popular abroad, either because of Vardanjan or Sebestyén.

Berei concluded his thoughts. He added that if someone in any sport experiences something similar, persevere, and the athletes, coaches, and parents will unite and win together.

 

[Sylvia]

March 31 24.hu interview article:

Kósa Lajos: Ha jönnének, visszafogadnánk a Liu testvéreket | 24.hu

Miért képviselték többségében orosz vagy bő egy éve még orosz állampolgárok Magyarországot a junior és felnőtt műkorcsolya-világversenyeken? Miért nem vizsgáltatta ki a sportági ikon Sebestyén Júlia m

24.hu

Machine translated excerpt:

Pavlova originally skated with a Hungarian couple, but unfortunately we could not persuade Balázs Nagy to continue his career, and he retired.

According to the sports shower news, on the other hand, sports director Gurgen Vardanjan has been looking for a Russian partner for Pavlova for a long time. Nagy didn't ask for the displacement(?) school, that's why he went back to America.

Lajos Kósa:

I can't report any crowding out. Rather, he was seduced by revue, an easier, more profitable life in America. We talked to him several times and scolded him.

ETA that I posted this excerpt because Balazs Nagy has not retired - he posted a triple twist clip with Chelsea Liu today (link is in both the U.S. Pairs news and Pairs general discussion threads).

 

[Vagabond]

"He was seduced by revue, an easier, more profitable life in America. We talked to him several times and scolded him."



Staying in Hungary so that you can live in poverty and be scolded or an easier, more profitable life doing shows in America.

Decisions, decisions!

 

[Karen-W]

It's possible, with the firing of Vardanjan, that Nagy could be enticed to compete for Hungary again. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[Sylvia]

It's possible, with the firing of Vardanjan, that Nagy could be enticed to compete for Hungary again.

I've been wondering if Vivien Papp might return, if enough changes have been or will be made? She was just in Japan for vacation with her family and her Instagram post today ends with "let's begin the work": https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr-fgIwtlw4/

 

[tony]

"He was seduced by revue, an easier, more profitable life in America. We talked to him several times and scolded him."



Staying in Hungary so that you can live in poverty and be scolded or an easier, more profitable life doing shows in America.

Decisions, decisions!

I mean, isn’t this the same logic as to why Russian figure skaters aren’t up and leaving the country to go to America or elsewhere in the world where they won’t have the same show and endorsement opportunity, will be potentially blocked from seeing family, and may not speak the language of where they go?

Yes, there’s a war, but yes, the underlying fundamentals are the same IMO.

 

[Vagabond]

I mean, isn’t this the same logic as to why Russian figure skaters aren’t up and leaving the country to go to America or elsewhere in the world where they won’t have the same show and endorsement opportunity, will be potentially blocked from seeing family, and may not speak the language of where they go?

Yes, there’s a war, but yes, the underlying fundamentals are the same IMO.

Nagy won't be barred from seeing family. He will be in the same situation as any number of skaters (and other athletes) who turned pro, whether that involved moving to America.

ETA: Those shows Nagy will be doing of he goes to the U.S aren't going to be the jingoistic stuff seen in Russia. There is really no comparison between him and Russian skaters or, perhaps worse still, Viktor Petrenko.

 

[Wyliefan]

With Orbán in charge, I wouldn't stay in Hungary a minute longer than necessary.

 

[Rubies]

I haven't seen anything about Hungary pulling out as next year's Euros host yet..

Figure Skating-Hungary pulls out of hosting 2024 Euro Championships

Hungary's skating federation said the country has withdrawn from hosting the 2024 European Figure Skating Championships due to the economic impact of Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine.

www.reuters.com

 

[Sylvia]

I haven't seen anything about Hungary pulling out as next year's Euros host yet..

@Tamas posted the news yesterday/discussion starts here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...2024-2025-and-2026.109977/page-3#post-6431971

ETA excerpts from article yesterday:

Hungary withdraws from hosting 2024 European Skating Championships

Hungary has withdrawn from hosting the 2024 International Skating Union European Figure Skating Championships as the Hungarian National Skating Associ...

www.insidethegames.biz

MOKSZ documents state that the body has a surplus of HUF255 million (£600,000/$756,000/€690,000) for 2023 after a predicted revenue of HUF2.153 billion (£5 million/$6.4 million/€5.8 million) and a HUF1.898 billion (£4.4 million/$5.6 million/€5.1 million) expenditure.
MOKSZ, led by President Lajos Kósa, hosted a season evaluation meeting earlier this month which showed signs of trouble in the body's figure skating department.

The governing body terminated the mandate of Vardanjan Gurgen as its figure skating sports director but is said to be looking for a new head in the near future.
MOKSZ had previously reported the forced temporary closures of multiple ice rinks across the country and also mentioned "the significant increase in preparation and competition costs."
Despite the troubles, the organisation claimed that its management was stable.
The MOKSZ 2022 financial report and 2023 budget draft is set to be respectively reviewed and agreed on at the body's next General Assembly.
The meeting is scheduled to take place on May 25 at the Récsei Hall.

 

[Frau Muller]

Budapest will surely host the Santa Claus Cup…and Halloween Cup too?

 

[Sylvia]

Budapest is scheduled to host the 5th JGP that includes Pair Skating on September 20-23, 2023.

ISU Championships like Europeans cost quite at lot more to host (link to more info re. hosting expenses for federations): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...2024-2025-and-2026.109977/page-4#post-6432424

ETA on May 12:

I've been wondering if Vivien Papp might return, if enough changes have been or will be made? She was just in Japan for vacation with her family and her Instagram post today ends with "let's begin the work"

Vivien is attending a camp at the Kinoshita Skating Academy in Kyoto (she's in the 2nd photo standing next to Lambiel): https://www.instagram.com/p/CsIrdskrOpY/

 

[TAHbKA]

I mean, isn’t this the same logic as to why Russian figure skaters aren’t up and leaving the country to go to America or elsewhere in the world where they won’t have the same show and endorsement opportunity, will be potentially blocked from seeing family, and may not speak the language of where they go?

Um, no? Unlike the Hungarian skaters the Russians DO have the shows opportunities in Russia. At least if they make it to the team.

 

[tony]

Um, no? Unlike the Hungarian skaters the Russians DO have the shows opportunities in Russia. At least if they make it to the team.

My point was that certain posters go on and on and on about how Russian skaters have every capability of just leaving the country and starting over somewhere else, as if it's that easy or the morally correct thing to do.

Mainly this quote: "Staying in Hungary so that you can live in poverty and be scolded or an easier, more profitable life doing shows in America."

Flip it to Russian skaters: stay in Russia, living a more profitable life doing shows while there is a skating boom and being treated to lots of financial incentives, or move to America or somewhere else, barely knowing the language, leaving family behind, etc, and not having those same opportunities after putting so much time and money into skating.

 

[airgelaal]

Flip it to Russian skaters: stay in Russia, living a more profitable life doing shows while there is a skating boom and being treated to lots of financial incentives, or move to America or somewhere else, barely knowing the language, leaving family behind, etc, and not having those same opportunities after putting so much time and money into skating.

I do not remember that Hungarian skaters were actively used in war propaganda. russian shows today receive money from the state budget to promote the genocide of Ukrainians. russian skaters get blood money, but we still protect them because they have such a difficult choice.

 

[tony]

I do not remember that Hungarian skaters were actively used in war propaganda. russian shows today receive money from the state budget to promote the genocide of Ukrainians. russian skaters get blood money, but we still protect them because they have such a difficult choice.

We are going to agree to disagree. I don't know how anyone, unless people are really well-off (and some make it very clear on FSU that they are), can just uproot their whole lives and move somewhere where the language may be different, the attitudes towards said people and their lack of the language or minimal grasp of the language may be bad, jobs to you know-- actually live and survive-- maybe not be plentiful (not to even mention actual permissions to work), etc. If the skaters are younger and still in high school or a lesser school, how does the education continue in a satisfactory way? Do people really think you just flee a country, probably leaving family behind with a chance of never seeing them again, is something that is an instant yes decision?

Figure skaters are constantly highlighted post-retirement because many times, they have trouble moving on to other things or getting into other careers. In Russia, figure skating for these athletes is probably supporting the entire family in many cases. Fleeing the country and/or speaking out against it, probably little chance to come back with any kind of success, just isn't in the cards. And there might be added pressure to speak in favor of a government that is supporting and giving opportunity. That's horrible to hear for Ukraine, but it probably is the reality-- can't say for sure as I've never been in a position such as that.

Again, my whole point with the Russian comparison was that most people aren't going to jump into something that makes their lives miserable or very likely makes them live in poverty with no opportunities (which is what I quoted in my first reply), simply because it's the sanctimonious thing to do.

 

[airgelaal]

Difficult decisions ended a year ago. Now money just doesn't smell to them.
If all russian athletes who "do not support the war" publicly declared this, then nothing would happen to them. Moreover, they would receive more international support. But why should they do something, if many are ready to justify them in any case? It is sickening to listen during the air siren about poor russians who are losing something there. The only thing they have lost is their conscience.
And I do not understand why "russian victims" appear in any topic? Such comparisons are an insult to real victims.

 

[Sylvia]

"On Thursday, the presidency of the Hungarian National Skating Association elected the new sports director of the figure skating sector, Csaba Bálint" (he was the ice dance referee at 2023 Europeans) - interview published on the Hungarian skating federation's website on May 19:

Interjú a műkorcsolya ágazat új igazgatójával | Magyar Országos Korcsolyázó Szövetség - MOKSZ

A Magyar Országos Korcsolyázó Szövetség elnöksége csütörtökön megválasztotta a műkorcsolya ágazat új sportigazgatóját, Bálint Csabát. Az ágazat újonnan kinevezett vezetője korábban a MOKSZ elnökségi tagja és a bíróbizottság vezetője volt. Interjú. Gratulálunk a megbízatáshoz, ámbár nem túl...

hunskate.hu

Machine translated excerpt from the end:

What will be the fate of those competitors who are currently considering changing countries?

When a competitor gets to the point of thinking about changing countries, we need to find the root cause. I would like to consult with all such competitors and, if possible, to start them in the colors of Hungary in the future. Of course, if an agreement cannot be reached, he will compete in the colors of another country in compliance with the rules, but I sincerely hope that we will be able to find common ground with everyone. I think that if we can provide a calm and predictable framework for preparation, then there will be less reason for anyone to think about changing countries. Here, I am not primarily thinking about financing the preparation, since the source is limited, but about the introduction of a system that provides security and a predictable vision for the competitors who choose the sports of figure skating at the MOKSZ, their parents.

 

[Andrea82]

Balint was an ice dancer in the 80s. Finished 2nd at Junior Worlds in 1980

Judit Péterfy & Csabas Bálint HUN - 1981 World Championships OSP

CD : 14th, FD : 14th, 14th place3rd-9th March, Hartford, USA

www.youtube.com

 

[Sylvia]

I've been wondering if Vivien Papp might return, if enough changes have been or will be made?

Vivien Papp replied to a fan's question yesterday ("does this mean that we can see you compete in Hungarian colors again?") in the comments of her post with photos from the training camp (Lambiel, Briand, etc.) in Kyoto, Japan: https://www.instagram.com/p/CsrL_MTNMhn/
Machine translation:
"... yes, looks like Hungarians are important to them I listened to the anthem a few times at the top of the podium, so I am truly happy as a Hungarian! "

Fingers crossed for her!

 

[Sylvia]

Vivien Papp just made it official! https://www.instagram.com/p/Cswqay5sG1z/

I would like to tell you a very good news, that due to the changes in the Hungarian Skating Federation I can stay a competitor of my beautiful homeland!I'm very happy about this fact, because when I was a little child I dreamed that the Hungarian National Anthem would be played because of me. I have had this dream several times and it would have been very difficult to let go of it. But I am very happy that I will remain Hungarian. My association will remain the Hoffmann Skating Academy, but I will train at the Skating School of Switzerland. My coach is Stéphane Lambiel, Angelo Dolfini, Giulia Isceri.
Thanks to the Federation for welcoming me back.

 

[Karen-W]

Vivien Papp just made it official! https://www.instagram.com/p/Cswqay5sG1z/

@Frau Muller - you deserve special notification of this fantastic news!

 

[Sylvia]

"Creating peace is the first goal" - Csaba Bálint, sports director of the figure skating branch (Sept. 19, 2023):

Műkorcsolya: „A béke megteremtése az első cél” – Bálint Csaba ágazati sportigazgató

Szerdán kezdődik a műkorcsolyázók és jégtáncosok budapesti junior Grand Prix-je, aminek alkalmából a MOKSZ májusban megválasztott ágazati sportigazgatóját, Bálint Csabát kérdeztük az eseményről és az utánpótlás hazai helyzetéről.

www.utanpotlassport.hu

Excerpt for fans of Vivien Papp :

"Papp Vivien is currently training in Switzerland under the leadership of (two-time world champion, Olympic silver medalist - ed.) Stéphane Lambiel; according to the current situation, she will return in Hungarian colors, according to the plans, we will see her again at the [ISU CS] Budapest Trophy in October. The target competitions of the season should not be forgotten either, there will be Youth Olympic Games and the Junior World Cup, hopefully she will also fight for the qualification events, resulting in a close race between the girls."

 

[Sylvia]

Bumping this thread up after 5 months…

Vivien Papp, who turned 16 last week, competed this past weekend in what appears to have been a small domestic competition (her first competition since a JGP in Sept. 2022) in Turku, Finland where she now trains and included a photo of herself on top of the podium: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3x65jWtHI8/

Vivien had posted an Instagram update back on December 2, 2023 after she relocated to Finland to train with Ulla Papp (mother/coach of the now retired siblings Beata, Bella, Benjam): https://www.instagram.com/p/C0WaLREoiXT/