Emese Szász-Kovács
A Hungarian épée fencer whose relentless attacking style and mental fortitude finally earned her Olympic gold at her third and final Games.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Hungarian fencer·Birthday: September 7·Millennials
Biography
For Emese Szász, the path to the top of the Olympic podium was a marathon of near-misses and relentless refinement. The left-handed épéeist from Budapest possessed a distinctive, aggressive style that made her a constant threat on the World Cup circuit for over a decade. She arrived at the 2012 London Games as a medal hopeful but left empty-handed, a disappointment that only hardened her resolve. At the Rio Games in 2016, then 34 years old and competing in what she declared would be her final Olympics, Szász transformed potential into triumph. In a dramatic final, she overwhelmed Italy's Rossella Fiamingo with a barrage of attacks, winning 15-13 to claim Hungary's first fencing gold since 1992. Her victory was not a sudden explosion of talent, but the logical culmination of a career built on perseverance, technical precision, and an unwavering belief in her offensive philosophy.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Emese was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Emese Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Emese's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the gold medal in women's individual épée at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
- Claimed a silver medal in the team épée event at the 2014 World Fencing Championships.
- Is a three-time Olympian, having also competed in Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
Did You Know?
She is a trained violinist and has played since childhood.
Szász is known for her intense pre-bout rituals, which include listening to hard rock music.
She studied engineering and worked as a software developer alongside her fencing career.
“The point is not over until the referee says it is.”
