Tamás Kásás

Tamás Kásás (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈtɒmaːʃ ˈkaːʃaːʃ]; born 20 July 1976) is a retired Hungarian water polo player.

Tamás Kásás
Personal information
Born	(1976-07-20) 20 July 1976 Budapest, Hungary[1]
Nickname	Kása
Nationality	Hungarian
Height	2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)
Weight	90 kg (198 lb)
Position	Driver
Handedness	Right
Youth career
	KSI
Senior clubs
Years	Team
0000–1994	KSI
1994–1995	FTC-Vitasport
1995–1997	UTE-Office & Home
1997–2003	Posillipo
2003–2004	Vasas-Plaket-Euroleasing
2004–2006	Savona
2006–2012	Pro Recco
National team
Years	Team
1994–2012	Hungary
Medal record Men's water polo Representing  Hungary Olympic Games 2000 Sydney Team competition 2004 Athens Team competition 2008 Beijing Team competition World Championships 2003 Barcelona Team competition 1998 Perth Team competition 2005 Montréal Team competition 2007 Melbourne Team competition European Championship 1997 Sevilla Team competition 1999 Firenze Team competition 1995 Vienna Team competition 2006 Belgrade Team competition 2001 Budapest Team competition 2003 Kranj Team competition 2008 Málaga Team competition 2012 Eindhoven Team competition FINA World League 2003 New York Team competition 2004 Long Beach Team competition FINA World Cup 1995 Atlanta Team competition 1999 Sydney Team competition 2002 Belgrade Team competition 2006 Budapest Team competition 1997 Athens Team competition

Kásás is often described as the best defensive player of his era, if not the best overall. He is known for his ability to spring out of the water and block shots, as well as his strength in one-on-one situations. He is also noted for his highly accurate shots and passes.

He picked up the sport at the age of six, being taught by his father Zoltán, who is a coach in Hungary. Zoltán Kásás was also a gifted player who won an Olympic silver medal in 1972, a World Championship in 1973, and a European title in 1974.

He made his Olympic debut in 1996, where Hungary reached the semifinals before losing to the Manuel Estiarte-led Spanish squad. However, the Hungarian team bounced back to win European Championships in 1997 and 1999, as well as a Champions League cup in 1998, culminating with three Olympic gold medals at Sydney in 2000, Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008.[1]

Kásás played in five consecutive Summer Olympics for his native country from 1996 to 2012. He is, jointly with Croat Igor Hinić and Greek Georgios Afroudakis, the tenth athlete to compete in water polo at five Olympics. He is also a leading goalscorer in Olympic water polo history, with 56 goals.[1]

In 2007 Kásás won Euro League with Pro Recco. He was named Most Valuable Player at the 2002 FINA Men's Water Polo World Cup, where Hungary claimed the silver medal.