Hubert Kós Adds His Name To Hungary Squad for European Aquatics Championships In Belgrade Next Month
Hubert Kós, the 2023 world 200m backstroke champion, has added his name to the Hungary squad for the European Aquatics Championships in Belgrade next month.
The 21-year-old will join a 41-strong team for the 37th championships in the Serbian capital where the pool programme runs from 17-23 June.
He won’t compete in the 200 back which will have to wait for Paris 2024, instead taking on the 50 and 100 butterfly and backstroke as well as the 200IM in which he is the current European champion.
Also on the pool team are Kristof Milak, Szebasztián Szabó, Vivien Jackl, Boglárka Kapás and Zsuzsanna Jakabos with Kristóf Rasovszky, David Bethlehem and Bettina Fábián among eight swimmers contesting the open water.
Kós was not on the team when it was initially announced last month but that has all changed following a Sunday morning text from Bob Bowman, his coach at the Arizona State Sun Devils and former guide to Michael Phelps.
Kós – nicknamed Hubi – is quoted on the Hungarian Swimming Federation’s social media, saying:
“Finally, Bob is a master at not having any rest even on the weekend.
“So he wrote that he thinks that the European Championship is at the right time and that I still have to participate in a competition before the Olympics. And that works out, if Bob thinks so, then I think so.. ”
National team coach Csaba Sós was in agreement on the programme that Kós will undertake in Belgrade with the swimmer adding:
“I do whatever Csaba asks. Because now the point is that the programme should be intense, I will not be in shape at all, but I need a good competition.
“Leon (Marchand) will enter the French Championship at the same time, that’s why Bob sends me to Belgrade, and from there I will go back to France and train with them until the Olympics.”
The meet will serve as a final chance to qualify for Paris 2024 with the qualification period for swimming ending on 23 June, the final day of competition in Belgrade.
Link to Hungary squad for European Championships, Belgrade, June 10-23