Bori Rózsahegyi: Hungary’s Rising Long Jump Star

Bori Rózsahegyi is an extraordinarily talented Hungarian long jumper who has emerged as one of Europe’s most promising young track and field athletes. Representing Tatabányai Sport Club (TSC Geotech), Rózsahegyi has captivated the athletics world with her exceptional jumping ability and consistent improvement at an impressively young age.

Athletic Accomplishments

European U20 Champion

Rózsahegyi’s breakthrough on the continental stage came at the 2025 European Athletics U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland. In a stunning performance that solidified her status as one of Europe’s elite junior long jumpers, she captured the gold medal in the women’s long jump, contributing to a memorable Hungarian double in the jumping events alongside high jump champion Lilliana Batori. Her winning jump of 6.46 meters represented a personal best and demonstrated her ability to deliver when it matters most on the biggest stages.

This victory at just 17 years old marked a defining moment in her young career, establishing her as a dominant force in European youth athletics and raising expectations for her future at the senior level.

European Youth Olympic Festival Double Gold Medalist

Before her European U20 triumph, Rózsahegyi had already made her mark at major international competitions. At the 2023 European Youth Summer Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Maribor, Slovenia, she won the long jump gold medal with a jump of 6.34 meters, contributing to what has been described as one of the most successful Hungarian EYOF performances of all time. This victory came when she was just 15 years old, showcasing her exceptional talent at an early age.

Her success continued at the 2022 EYOF, where she won gold with a personal best jump of 6.16 meters at age 15—a remarkable achievement that few athletes accomplish at such a young age. This double EYOF gold medal performance established her as one of Hungary’s brightest athletic prospects.

European U18 Championships Success

At the 2024 European U18 Championships, Rózsahegyi finished in fourth place, demonstrating her consistency and competitiveness against the continent’s best junior athletes. This performance added to her growing résumé of international achievements.

Personal Bests and World Rankings

Rózsahegyi’s personal best in the long jump stands at an impressive 6.48 meters, achieved in July 2025. This mark places her at #122 in the world rankings for women’s long jump, a remarkable position for such a young athlete still competing at the U20 level.

Beyond the long jump, she has also demonstrated versatility in sprinting events:

• 60 meters: 7.57 seconds (indoor)
• 100 meters: Competitive times in sprint events
• 200 meters: Has competed in various sprint distances

Her ability to excel in both sprinting and jumping events showcases her natural speed and explosiveness—qualities essential for elite long jumping.

Early Career Development

What makes Rózsahegyi’s achievements particularly remarkable is the age at which she reached significant milestones. At just 15 years old, she jumped 6.16 meters—a distance that very few athletes achieve at that age. Her rapid progression and early success have drawn comparisons to some of the sport’s greatest talents, with expectations that she could eventually join the exclusive “seven-meter club” of elite female long jumpers.

The Hungarian national record in the women’s long jump stands at 6.86 meters, set by Tünde Vaszi in 2003. With Rózsahegyi still in her developmental years and already jumping 6.48 meters at 17, many in the Hungarian athletics community believe she has the potential to challenge this long-standing record.

Training and Coaching

Working with László Henyecz

Rózsahegyi trains under the guidance of László Henyecz, a 71-year-old veteran coach who has been instrumental in her development. Henyecz, a former long jumper himself with a personal best of 7.51 meters, has an impressive coaching pedigree spanning nearly five decades. Before beginning his coaching career in the late 1970s, he competed at a high level and has since guided numerous athletes to international competitions.

Henyecz previously served as president of Tatabányai Sport Club and as principal of the local Dózsa György Elementary School, where he also taught physical education for 12 years. Though he retired at 60, he quickly returned to coaching, unable to stay away from the sport he loves. His experience includes working with successful athletes such as high jumpers Katalin Sterk and Zoltán Társi, as well as Ádám Gerencsér, who finished fourth at a Junior European Championship in high jump.

The age difference between coach and athlete—56 years—has not hindered their partnership. Instead, Henyecz’s wealth of experience and Rózsahegyi’s exceptional talent and work ethic have created a highly productive collaboration.

Coaching Philosophy and Athlete Development

When Henyecz first observed Rózsahegyi training in August 2020, when she was just 13 years old, he immediately recognized her extraordinary potential. He was struck by her coordinated movement, natural feel for the runway, and innate physical gifts. However, what impressed him most was her goal-oriented mindset and receptiveness to understanding the reasoning behind training methods rather than simply following instructions.

Henyecz has stated that Rózsahegyi could become the first Hungarian female long jumper to surpass seven meters—a barrier that represents the pinnacle of the event. His confidence in her potential is based not only on her current performances but also on her trajectory of improvement and dedication to the sport.

Training Location and Support

Rózsahegyi trains in Tatabánya, Hungary, with the support of Tatabányai Sport Club. The club has a strong tradition in athletics and has provided the infrastructure and support system necessary for her development as an elite athlete.

International Competition Experience

Gyulai István Memorial

In 2023, Rózsahegyi competed at the Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix in Székesfehérvár, one of Hungary’s most prestigious athletics meetings. At just 15 years old, she competed against a strong international field, gaining valuable experience competing alongside established senior athletes. This opportunity to compete at such a high level at a young age has been crucial for her development and confidence.

Consistent International Success

Throughout her young career, Rózsahegyi has represented Hungary at numerous international competitions, including:

• Multiple European Youth Championships
• European U18 Championships
• European U20 Championships
• European Youth Olympic Festival (2022 and 2023)
• Various international meets across Europe

Her consistent medal-winning performances and ability to handle pressure at major championships demonstrate maturity beyond her years.

2025 Season Highlights

The 2025 season has been particularly successful for Rózsahegyi. Beyond her European U20 title in Tampere, she has competed extensively in both domestic and international competitions. She competed in Germany in early June, earning bronze medals at international long jump competitions as she fine-tuned her form for the championship season. These performances demonstrated her ability to compete successfully across different venues and conditions.

Personal Interests and Character

Family Influence and Early Introduction to Athletics

Rózsahegyi’s journey in athletics began when her parents recognized her natural athletic ability and sought out quality coaching for her development. They approached coach László Henyecz in August 2020, and the partnership has proven to be extraordinarily successful.

While specific details about her personal interests outside of athletics are limited in public sources, her dedication to the sport is evident in her training regimen and competitive schedule. Like many elite young athletes, much of her time is devoted to training, competition, and recovery.

Character and Personality

Those who work with Rózsahegyi describe her as goal-oriented, intelligent in her approach to training, and eager to understand the technical aspects of her event. Her ability to absorb coaching feedback and her willingness to learn have been key factors in her rapid improvement.

Her coach notes that she is self-motivated and doesn’t require constant supervision or correction. Instead, she responds best when helped to understand the reasoning behind training methods, allowing her to take ownership of her development. This mature approach to training at such a young age speaks to her character and potential for long-term success in the sport.

Mental Approach to Competition

Rózsahegyi has demonstrated a strong competitive mentality, consistently performing well at major championships. Her ability to deliver personal bests and medal-winning performances at important competitions shows mental toughness and proper preparation—qualities that will serve her well as she progresses to senior competition.

Educational Background

While specific details about Rózsahegyi’s current educational pursuits are not widely publicized, as a 17-year-old athlete, she is likely completing her secondary education in Hungary while pursuing her athletics career. The Hungarian sports system typically provides support for young athletes to balance their education with their training commitments.

Many elite Hungarian athletes attend sports-focused schools or programs that accommodate their training schedules while ensuring they receive a quality education. Given her success and the support structure around her through Tatabányai Sport Club, it’s likely that she has access to such arrangements.

Career Aspirations and Future Potential

Path to Senior Competition

As Rózsahegyi continues to develop, the natural progression will be toward senior-level international competition. At 17, she still has one more year of U20 eligibility, but her performances already suggest she could compete successfully at the senior level. Her current personal best of 6.48 meters would be competitive in many senior international meets.

Olympic Dreams

While Rózsahegyi has not publicly detailed her long-term goals, her trajectory suggests that Olympic competition is a realistic aspiration. The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will take place when she is 20-21 years old—an ideal age for a long jumper to peak. If her current rate of improvement continues, she could be a strong contender for Hungary at that Games.

National Record Potential

Her coach’s belief that she could become Hungary’s first female long jumper to surpass seven meters is not mere speculation. With a current best of 6.48 meters at age 17, and considering that female long jumpers often don’t peak until their mid-20s, she has ample time to develop the strength, speed, and technical proficiency to challenge the Hungarian national record of 6.86 meters and potentially join the elite seven-meter club.

Contributing to Hungarian Athletics

Rózsahegyi’s success is part of a broader resurgence in Hungarian athletics, particularly in the jumping events. Her achievements, along with those of teammates like high jumper Lilliana Batori, are bringing renewed attention to Hungarian track and field and inspiring a new generation of young athletes.

Recent Achievements Summary

2025:

• Gold Medal – European U20 Championships, Long Jump (6.46m)
• Personal Best – 6.48 meters
• Multiple international competition appearances

2024:

• 4th Place – European U18 Championships, Long Jump

2023:

• Gold Medal – European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), Long Jump (6.34m)

2022:

• Gold Medal – European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), Long Jump (6.16m PB)

Conclusion

Bori Rózsahegyi represents the future of Hungarian track and field. Her exceptional talent, combined with expert coaching, a supportive club structure, and a mature approach to training and competition, positions her as one of Europe’s most promising young athletics talents. At just 17 years old, with a European U20 title and two EYOF gold medals already secured, her best years are still ahead of her.

As she continues to develop physically and technically, the athletics community watches with great anticipation to see how far this remarkable young talent can go. With her current trajectory, Rózsahegyi has the potential to become not only one of Hungary’s greatest long jumpers but also a force to be reckoned with on the world stage for years to come. Her journey from a 13-year-old prospect to European U20 champion in just four years has been nothing short of extraordinary, and the next chapters of her story promise to be equally compelling.

Go Bori!