List of Olympic champions in men's water polo

Part of a series on the
Olympic water polo
records and statistics
Topics
Teams
  • Men's teams
  • Women's teams

This is a list of Olympic champions in men's water polo since the inaugural official edition in 1900.

Abbreviations

[edit]
Rk Rank Ref Reference Cap No. Water polo cap number
Pos Playing position FP Field player GK Goalkeeper ISHOF International Swimming Hall of Fame
L/R Handedness L Left-handed R Right-handed Oly debut Olympic debut in water polo
(C) Captain p. page pp. pages

History

[edit]

Men's water polo tournaments have been staged at the Olympic Games since 1900. Men's water polo was among the first team sports introduced at the modern Olympic Games in 1900.[1] Seven European teams from four countries, including four from the host nation France, took part in the competition. The British team was the inaugural champion.[2] At the 1904 Summer Olympics, a water polo tournament was contested, three club teams of seven players each entered.[3] A German team tried to enter, but its entry was refused because the players did not play for the same club.[4] The event took place in a pond in Forest Park, the location of both the Olympics and the World's Fair.[5] Previously, the International Olympic Committee and International Swimming Federation (FINA) considered the water polo event at the 1904 Olympics as a demonstration sport.[3] However, in July 2021, after accepting the recommendation of Olympic historian Bill Mallon, the IOC recognized water polo along with several others as an official sport of the 1904 Olympic program.[6] Water polo was not played at the 1906 Olympics.[1]

As of the 2020 Summer Olympics, men's water polo teams from ten European countries won all 27 official tournaments.[3]

From 1908 to 1920, the Great Britain men's national water polo team won three consecutive gold medals at the Olympics, becoming the first team to have an Olympic winning streak in water polo.

Hungary is the most successful country in the men's Olympic water polo tournament, with nine Olympic gold medals. The team won three gold medals in a row between 2000 and 2008, becoming the second water polo team to have an Olympic winning streak.

Italy and Yugoslavia have both won three Olympic titles in men's water polo tournament.

The Serbia men's national team is the reigning Olympic champion.

Legend

  •  D  – Debut
  •  C  – Champions
  •  C  – Olympic winning streak (winning three or more Olympic titles in a row)
  •     – Hosts
  • Team† – Defunct team
Champions 00 04 08 12 20 24 28 32 36 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96 00 04 08 12 16 20 24 Total
 Croatia Part of Yugoslavia† D C 1
 France D C 1
 Germany D C East Germany† and West Germany† 1
 Great Britain C C C C 4
 Hungary D C C C C C C C C C 9
 Italy D C C C 3
 Serbia Part of Yugoslavia†, then of FR Yugoslavia†, and Serbia and Montenegro† D C C C 3
 Soviet Union† D C C Defunct 2
 Spain D C 1
 Yugoslavia† D C C C Defunct 3
Champions 00 04 08 12 20 24 28 32 36 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96 00 04 08 12 16 20 24 Total

Team statistics

[edit]

Results

[edit]
Serbia men's national water polo team celebrated after the gold medal match of the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The following table shows results of Olympic champions in men's water polo by tournament. Last updated: 8 August 2021.

Legend

  •  6  – Winning 6 matches during the tournament
  •  4  – Drawing 4 matches during the tournament
  •  2  – Losing 2 matches during the tournament
  •  100.0%  – Winning all matches during the tournament
  •  Team  – Olympic winning streak (winning three or more Olympic titles in a row)
  •  Team  – Host team
  • Team† – Defunct team

Abbreviation

  • MP – Matches played
  • W – Won
  • D – Drawn
  • L – Lost
  • GF – Goals for
  • GA – Goals against
  • GD – Goal difference
  • GF/MP – Goals for per match
  • GA/MP – Goals against per match
  • GD/MP – Goal difference per match
Results of champions by tournament
# Men's tournament Champions MP W D L Win % GF GA GD GF/MP GA/MP GD/MP
1 Paris 1900  Great Britain (1st title) 3 3 0 0 100.0% 29 3 26 9.667 1.000 8.667
2 St. Louis 1904 Water polo was a demonstration sport
3 London 1908  Great Britain (2nd title) 1[a] 1 0 0 100.0% 9 2 7 9.000 2.000 7.000
4 Stockholm 1912  Great Britain (3rd title) 3 3 0 0 100.0% 21 8 13 7.000 2.667 4.333
5 Antwerp 1920  Great Britain (4th title) 3 3 0 0 100.0% 19 4 15 6.333 1.333 5.000
6 Paris 1924  France (1st title) 4 4 0 0 100.0% 16 6 10 4.000 1.500 2.500
7 Amsterdam 1928  Germany (1st title) 3 3 0 0 100.0% 18 10 8 6.000 3.333 2.667
8 Los Angeles 1932  Hungary (1st title) 3[b] 3 0 0 100.0% 30 2 28 10.000 0.667 9.333
9 Berlin 1936  Hungary (2nd title) 7 6 1 0 85.7% 44 4 40 6.286 0.571 5.714
10 London 1948  Italy (1st title) 7[c] 6 1 0 85.7% 35 14 21 5.000 2.000 3.000
11 Helsinki 1952  Hungary (3rd title) 8 6 2 0 75.0% 53 16 37 6.625 2.000 4.625
12 Melbourne 1956  Hungary (4th title) 6 6 0 0 100.0% 26 4 22 4.333 0.667 3.667
13 Rome 1960  Italy (2nd title) 7 6 1 0 85.7% 31 12 19 4.429 1.714 2.714
14 Tokyo 1964  Hungary (5th title) 6 5 1 0 83.3% 34 13 21 5.667 2.167 3.500
15 Mexico City 1968  Yugoslavia† (1st title) 9 7 1 1 77.8% 86 35 51 9.556 3.889 5.667
16 Munich 1972  Soviet Union† (1st title) 8 6 2 0 75.0% 48 24 24 6.000 3.000 3.000
17 Montreal 1976  Hungary (6th title) 8 7 1 0 87.5% 45 32 13 5.625 4.000 1.625
18 Moscow 1980  Soviet Union† (2nd title) 8 8 0 0 100.0% 58 31 27 7.250 3.875 3.375
19 Los Angeles 1984  Yugoslavia† (2nd title) 7 6 1 0 85.7% 72 44 28 10.286 6.286 4.000
20 Seoul 1988  Yugoslavia† (3rd title) 7 6 0 1 85.7% 83 55 28 11.857 7.857 4.000
21 Barcelona 1992  Italy (3rd title) 7 5 2 0 71.4% 59 50 9 8.429 7.143 1.286
22 Atlanta 1996  Spain (1st title) 8 6 0 2 75.0% 58 48 10 7.250 6.000 1.250
23 Sydney 2000  Hungary (7th title) 8 6 0 2 75.0% 78 57 21 9.750 7.125 2.625
24 Athens 2004  Hungary (8th title) 7 7 0 0 100.0% 59 39 20 8.429 5.571 2.857
25 Beijing 2008  Hungary (9th title) 7 6 1 0 85.7% 85 55 30 12.143 7.857 4.286
26 London 2012  Croatia (1st title) 8 8 0 0 100.0% 73 42 31 9.125 5.250 3.875
27 Rio 2016  Serbia (1st title) 8 5 2 1 62.5% 80 66 14 10.000 8.250 1.750
28 Tokyo 2020  Serbia (2nd title) 8 6 0 2 75.0% 103 71 32 12.875 8.875 4.000
29 Paris 2024  Serbia (3rd title) 8 5 0 3 62.5% 93 91 2 11.625 11.375 0.250
# Men's tournament Total 177 148 16 12 84.2% 1445 838 607 7.638 4.734 3.429
Champions MP W D L Win % GF GA GD GF/MP GA/MP GD/MP

Sources:

From 1900 to 1928, single-elimination tournaments were used to determine Olympic champions in men's water polo. The following table shows men's teams that won all matches during the Olympic tournament since 1932.

Winning all matches during the tournament
(since 1932)
# Year Champions MP W D L Win %
1 1932  Hungary (1st title) 3[b] 3 0 0 100.0%
2 1956  Hungary (4th title) 6 6 0 0 100.0%
3 1980  Soviet Union† (2nd title) 8 8 0 0 100.0%
4 2004  Hungary (8th title) 7 7 0 0 100.0%
5 2012  Croatia (1st title) 8 8 0 0 100.0%

The following tables show records of goals for per match.

Top 5 most goals for per match
Rk Year Champions MP GF GF/MP
1 2020  Serbia (2nd title) 8 103 12.875
2 2008  Hungary (9th title) 7 85 12.143
3 1988  Yugoslavia† (3rd title) 7 83 11.857
4 2024  Serbia (3rd title) 8 93 11.675
5 1984  Yugoslavia† (2nd title) 7 72 10.286
Top 5 fewest goals for per match
Rk Year Champions MP GF GF/MP
1 1924  France (1st title) 4 16 4.000
2 1956  Hungary (4th title) 6 26 4.333
3 1960  Italy (2nd title) 7 31 4.429
4 1948  Italy (1st title) 7[c] 35 5.000
5 1976  Hungary (6th title) 8 45 5.625
Historical progression of records: Goals for per match
Goals for
per match		 Achievement Year Champions Date of
winning gold		 Duration of record
9.667 Set record 1900  Great Britain (1st title) 12 August 1900 32 years, 1 day
10.000 Broke record 1932  Hungary (1st title) 13 August 1932 51 years, 363 days
10.286 Broke record 1984  Yugoslavia† (2nd title) 10 August 1984 4 years, 52 days
11.857 Broke record 1988  Yugoslavia† (3rd title) 1 October 1988 19 years, 328 days
12.143 Broke record 2008  Hungary (9th title) 24 August 2008 12 years, 349 days
12.875 Broke record 2020  Serbia (2nd title) 8 August 2021 3 years, 210 days

The following tables show records of goals against per match.

Top 5 most goals against per match
Rk Year Champions MP GA GA/MP
1 2024  Serbia (3rd title) 8 91 11.375
2 2020  Serbia (2nd title) 8 71 8.875
3 2016  Serbia (1st title) 8 66 8.250
4 1988  Yugoslavia† (3rd title) 7 55 7.857
2008  Hungary (9th title) 7 55 7.857
Top 5 fewest goals against per match
Rk Year Champions MP GA GA/MP
1 1936  Hungary (2nd title) 7 4 0.571
2 1932  Hungary (1st title) 3[b] 2 0.667
1956  Hungary (4th title) 6 4 0.667
4 1900  Great Britain (1st title) 3 3 1.000
5 1920  Great Britain (4th title) 3 4 1.333

The following tables show records of goal difference per match.

Top 5 most goal difference per match
Rk Year Champions MP GD GD/MP
1 1932  Hungary (1st title) 3[b] 28 9.333
2 1900  Great Britain (1st title) 3 26 8.667
3 1908  Great Britain (2nd title) 1[a] 7 7.000
4 1936  Hungary (2nd title) 7 40 5.714
5 1968  Yugoslavia† (1st title) 9 51 5.667
Top 5 fewest goal difference per match
Rk Year Champions MP GD GD/MP
1 2024  Serbia (3rd title) 8 2 0.250
2 1996  Spain (1st title) 8 10 1.250
3 1992  Italy (3rd title) 7 9 1.286
4 1976  Hungary (6th title) 8 13 1.625
5 2016  Serbia (1st title) 8 14 1.750

Squads

[edit]

The following table shows number of players and average age, height and weight of Olympic champions in men's water polo by tournament. Last updated: 30 August 2021.

Legend

  •  Team  – Olympic winning streak
  •  Team  – Winning all matches during the tournament
  •  Team  – Host team
  • Team† – Defunct team
Winning squads by tournament
# Men's tournament Champions Players Returning Olympians Average
Number Number % Age Height Weight
1 Paris 1900  Great Britain (1st title) 7 0 0.0%
2 St. Louis 1904 Water polo was a demonstration sport
3 London 1908  Great Britain (2nd title) 7 0 0.0% 26 years, 111 days
4 Stockholm 1912  Great Britain (3rd title) 7 4 57.1% 29 years, 16 days
5 Antwerp 1920  Great Britain (4th title) 7 3 42.9% 33 years, 279 days
6 Paris 1924  France (1st title) 7 3 42.9% 26 years, 303 days
7 Amsterdam 1928  Germany (1st title) 8 0 0.0% 24 years, 329 days
8 Los Angeles 1932  Hungary (1st title) 10 7 70.0% 27 years, 291 days
9 Berlin 1936  Hungary (2nd title) 11 5 45.5% 26 years, 66 days
10 London 1948  Italy (1st title) 9 0 0.0% 30 years, 203 days
11 Helsinki 1952  Hungary (3rd title) 13 6 46.2% 26 years, 337 days
12 Melbourne 1956  Hungary (4th title) 12 7 58.3% 26 years, 148 days 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[d] 80 kg (176 lb)[e]
13 Rome 1960  Italy (2nd title) 12 3 25.0% 22 years, 363 days 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) 81 kg (179 lb)
14 Tokyo 1964  Hungary (5th title) 12 10 83.3% 28 years, 208 days 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) 82 kg (181 lb)
15 Mexico City 1968  Yugoslavia† (1st title) 11 5 45.5% 26 years, 151 days 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) 94 kg (207 lb)
16 Munich 1972  Soviet Union† (1st title) 11 5 45.5% 26 years, 351 days 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) 87 kg (192 lb)
17 Montreal 1976  Hungary (6th title) 11 6 54.5% 25 years, 333 days 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) 88 kg (194 lb)
18 Moscow 1980  Soviet Union† (2nd title) 11 4 36.4% 25 years, 117 days 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) 87 kg (192 lb)
19 Los Angeles 1984  Yugoslavia† (2nd title) 13 3 23.1% 23 years, 362 days 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 92 kg (203 lb)
20 Seoul 1988  Yugoslavia† (3rd title) 13 6 46.2% 23 years, 341 days 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) 94 kg (207 lb)
21 Barcelona 1992  Italy (3rd title) 13 7 53.8% 26 years, 224 days 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[f] 81 kg (179 lb)[g]
22 Atlanta 1996  Spain (1st title) 13 9 69.2% 26 years, 279 days 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) 81 kg (179 lb)
23 Sydney 2000  Hungary (7th title) 13 5 38.5% 25 years, 254 days 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 93 kg (205 lb)
24 Athens 2004  Hungary (8th title) 13 10 76.9% 27 years, 344 days 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 96 kg (212 lb)
25 Beijing 2008  Hungary (9th title) 13 9 69.2% 29 years, 248 days 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 100 kg (220 lb)
26 London 2012  Croatia (1st title) 13 8 61.5% 29 years, 85 days 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) 102 kg (225 lb)
27 Rio 2016  Serbia (1st title) 13 9 69.2% 28 years, 205 days 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) 96 kg (212 lb)
28 Tokyo 2020  Serbia (2nd title) 13 10 76.9% 31 years, 250 days 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) 95 kg (209 lb)
# Men's tournament Champions Number Number % Age Height Weight
Players Returning Olympians Average

Sources:

The following tables show records of the number of returning Olympians.

Records – number of returning Olympians
(in descending order)
Rk Year Champions Players Returning Olympians
Number Number %
1 1964  Hungary (5th title) 12 10 83.3%
2 2004  Hungary (8th title) 13 10 76.9%
2020  Serbia (2nd title) 13 10 76.9%
4 1932  Hungary (1st title) 10 7 70.0%
5 1996  Spain (1st title) 13 9 69.2%
2008  Hungary (9th title) 13 9 69.2%
2016  Serbia (1st title) 13 9 69.2%
Records – number of returning Olympians
(in ascending order)
Rk Year Champions Players Returning Olympians
Number Number %
1 1948  Italy (1st title) 9 0 0.0%
2 1928  Germany (1st title) 8 0 0.0%
3 1900  Great Britain (1st title) 7 0 0.0%
1908  Great Britain (2nd title) 7 0 0.0%
5 1984  Yugoslavia† (2nd title) 13 3 23.1%

The following tables show records of average age.

Top 5 oldest winning squads
Rk Year Champions Average age Note
1 1920  Great Britain (4th title) 33 years, 279 days The Games after World War I
2 2020  Serbia (2nd title) 31 years, 250 days The Games postponed to 2021
3 1948  Italy (1st title) 30 years, 203 days The Games after World War II
4 2008  Hungary (9th title) 29 years, 248 days
5 2012  Croatia (1st title) 29 years, 85 days
Top 5 youngest winning squads
Rk Year Champions Average age
1 1960  Italy (2nd title) 22 years, 363 days
2 1988  Yugoslavia† (3rd title) 23 years, 341 days
3 1984  Yugoslavia† (2nd title) 23 years, 362 days
4 1928  Germany (1st title) 24 years, 329 days
5 1980  Soviet Union† (2nd title) 25 years, 117 days

The following tables show records of average height.

Top 5 tallest winning squads
(statistics since 1956)
Rk Year Champions Average height
1 2012  Croatia (1st title) 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)
2 2004  Hungary (8th title) 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
2008  Hungary (9th title) 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
4 1988  Yugoslavia† (3rd title) 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
2016  Serbia (1st title) 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Top 5 shortest winning squads
(statistics since 1956)
Rk Year Champions Average height
1 1956  Hungary (4th title) 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[d]
2 1960  Italy (2nd title) 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
1964  Hungary (5th title) 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
4 1972  Soviet Union† (1st title) 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
1980  Soviet Union† (2nd title) 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Historical progression of records: Average height (statistics since 1956)
Average height Achievement Year Champions Date of
winning gold		 Duration of record
1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[d] Set record 1956  Hungary (4th title) 7 December 1956 3 years, 271 days
1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) Broke record 1960  Italy (2nd title) 3 September 1960 8 years, 53 days
Tied record 1964  Hungary (5th title) 18 October 1964
1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Broke record 1968  Yugoslavia† (1st title) 26 October 1968 15 years, 289 days
1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Broke record 1984  Yugoslavia† (2nd title) 10 August 1984 4 years, 52 days
1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) Broke record 1988  Yugoslavia† (3rd title) 1 October 1988 15 years, 333 days
1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Broke record 2004  Hungary (8th title) 29 August 2004 7 years, 349 days
Tied record 2008  Hungary (9th title) 24 August 2008
1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) Broke record 2012  Croatia (1st title) 12 August 2012 12 years, 206 days

The following tables show records of average weight.

Top 5 heaviest winning squads
(statistics since 1956)
Rk Year Champions Average weight
1 2012  Croatia (1st title) 102 kg (225 lb)
2 2008  Hungary (9th title) 100 kg (220 lb)
3 2004  Hungary (8th title) 96 kg (212 lb)
2016  Serbia (1st title) 96 kg (212 lb)
5 2020  Serbia (2nd title) 95 kg (209 lb)
Top 5 lightest winning squads
(statistics since 1956)
Rk Year Champions Average weight
1 1956  Hungary (4th title) 80 kg (176 lb)[e]
2 1960  Italy (2nd title) 81 kg (179 lb)
1992  Italy (3rd title) 81 kg (179 lb)[g]
1996  Spain (1st title) 81 kg (179 lb)
5 1964  Hungary (5th title) 82 kg (181 lb)
Historical progression of records: Average weight (statistics since 1956)
Average weight Achievement Year Champions Date of
winning gold		 Duration of record
80 kg (176 lb)[e] Set record 1956  Hungary (4th title) 7 December 1956 3 years, 271 days
81 kg (179 lb) Broke record 1960  Italy (2nd title) 3 September 1960 4 years, 45 days
82 kg (181 lb) Broke record 1964  Hungary (5th title) 18 October 1964 4 years, 8 days
94 kg (207 lb) Broke record 1968  Yugoslavia† (1st title) 26 October 1968 35 years, 308 days
Tied record 1988  Yugoslavia† (3rd title) 1 October 1988
96 kg (212 lb) Broke record 2004  Hungary (8th title) 29 August 2004 3 years, 361 days
100 kg (220 lb) Broke record 2008  Hungary (9th title) 24 August 2008 3 years, 354 days
102 kg (225 lb) Broke record 2012  Croatia (1st title) 12 August 2012 12 years, 206 days

Olympic and world champions (teams)

[edit]
See also: List of world champions in men's water polo § Team statistics

The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic titles (in descending order), number of world titles (in descending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 26 February 2024.

As of the 2020 Summer Olympics, there are seven men's national water polo teams that won gold medals at the Summer Olympics and the World Aquatics Championships.

Legend

  • Year* – As host team
  • Team† – Defunct team
# Champions Olympic title World title Total First Last
1  Hungary 9 (1932–1936, 1952–1956, 1964, 1976, 2000–2004–2008) 4 (1973, 2003, 2013, 2023) 13 1932 2023
2  Italy 3 (1948, 1960*, 1992) 4 (1978, 1994*, 2011, 2019) 7 1948 2019
3  Yugoslavia† 3 (1968, 1984–1988) 2 (1986–1991) 5 1968 1991
4  Serbia 2 (2016–2020) 2 (2009, 2015) 4 2009 2020
 Soviet Union† 2 (1972, 1980*) 2 (1975, 1982) 4 1972 1982
6  Croatia 1 (2012) 3 (2007, 2017, 2024) 4 2007 2024
 Spain 1 (1996) 3 (1998–2001, 2022) 4 1996 2022

Player statistics

[edit]

Age records

[edit]
38-year-old Samir Barać was the captain of Croatia at the 2012 Olympics.

The following tables show the oldest and youngest male Olympic champions in water polo. Last updated: 12 September 2021.

Legend

  •  Team  – Host team
Top 10 oldest male Olympic champions in water polo
Rk Player Age of
winning gold		 Men's team Pos Date of birth Date of
winning gold
1 Charles Smith 41 years, 216 days  Great Britain GK 26 January 1879 29 August 1920
2 William Henry 41 years, 45 days  Great Britain GK 28 June 1859 12 August 1900
3 Samir Barać 38 years, 284 days  Croatia FP 2 November 1973 12 August 2012
4 Mario Majoni 38 years, 72 days  Italy FP 27 May 1910 7 August 1948
5 Gojko Pijetlović 38 years, 1 day  Serbia GK 7 August 1983 8 August 2021
6 István Barta 37 years, 0 days  Hungary GK 13 August 1895 13 August 1932
7 Dezső Gyarmati 36 years, 361 days  Hungary FP 23 October 1927 18 October 1964
8 Igor Hinić 36 years, 252 days  Croatia FP 4 December 1975 12 August 2012
9 Frano Vićan 36 years, 201 days  Croatia GK 24 January 1976 12 August 2012
10 Branislav Mitrović 36 years, 190 days  Serbia GK 30 January 1985 8 August 2021
Rk Player Age of
winning gold		 Men's team Pos Date of birth Date of
winning gold
Top 10 youngest male Olympic champions in water polo
Rk Player Age of
winning gold		 Men's team Pos Date of birth Date of
winning gold
1 György Kárpáti 17 years, 40 days  Hungary FP 23 June 1935 2 August 1952
2 Perica Bukić 18 years, 172 days  Yugoslavia FP 20 February 1966 10 August 1984
3 Igor Milanović 18 years, 236 days  Yugoslavia FP 18 December 1965 10 August 1984
4 Franco Lavoratori 19 years, 172 days  Italy FP 15 March 1941 3 September 1960
5 Nikola Jakšić 19 years, 216 days  Serbia FP 17 January 1997 20 August 2016
6 Fritz Gunst 19 years, 324 days  Germany FP 22 September 1908 11 August 1928
7 Giorgi Mshvenieradze 19 years, 352 days  Soviet Union FP 12 August 1960 29 July 1980
8 György Kenéz 20 years, 34 days  Hungary FP 23 June 1956 27 July 1976
9 Antal Bolvári 20 years, 88 days  Hungary FP 6 May 1932 2 August 1952
10 Mirko Vičević 20 years, 93 days  Yugoslavia FP 30 June 1968 1 October 1988
Rk Player Age of
winning gold		 Men's team Pos Date of birth Date of
winning gold

Multiple gold medalists

[edit]
See also: List of Olympic medalists in water polo (men) and List of multiple Olympic gold medalists in one event

The following tables are pre-sorted by year of receiving the last Olympic gold medal (in ascending order), year of receiving the first Olympic gold medal (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 12 September 2021.

Ten male athletes won three Olympic gold medals in water polo.

Legend

  • Year* – As host team
Male athletes who won three or more Olympic gold medals in water polo
Year Player Date of birth Height Men's team Pos Olympic titles Age of
first/last
1920 Paul Radmilovic 5 March 1886 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)  Great Britain FP 1908*–1912–1920 22/34
Charles Smith 26 January 1879 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) GK 29/41
1964 Dezső Gyarmati 23 October 1927 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)  Hungary FP 1952–1956, 1964 24/36
György Kárpáti 23 June 1935 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) FP 17/29
2008 Tibor Benedek 12 July 1972 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)  Hungary FP 2000–2004–2008 28/36
Péter Biros 5 April 1976 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) FP 24/32
Tamás Kásás 20 July 1976 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) FP 24/32
Gergely Kiss 21 September 1977 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) FP 23/30
Tamás Molnár 2 August 1975 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) FP 25/33
Zoltán Szécsi 22 December 1977 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) GK 22/30
2024 Sava Ranđelović 17 July 1993 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)  Serbia FP 2016–2020–2024 23/31
Dušan Mandić 16 June 1994 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) FP 22/30
Nikola Jakšić 17 January 1997 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) FP 19/27
Year Player Date of birth Height Men's team Pos Olympic titles Age of
first/last

Forty-one male athletes won two Olympic gold medals in water polo.

Legend

  • Year* – As host team
Male athletes who won two Olympic gold medals in water polo
Year Player Date of birth Height Men's team Pos Olympic titles Age of
first/last
1912 George Cornet 15 July 1877 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)  Great Britain FP 1908*–1912 31/35
George Wilkinson 3 March 1879 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) FP 29/33
1920 Charles Bugbee 29 August 1887 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)  Great Britain FP 1912–1920 25/33
1936 György Bródy 21 July 1908 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)  Hungary GK 1932–1936 24/28
Olivér Halassy 31 July 1909 FP 23/27
Márton Homonnai 5 February 1906 FP 26/30
János Németh 12 June 1906 FP 26/30
Miklós Sárkány 15 August 1908 FP 23/28
1956 Antal Bolvári 6 May 1932  Hungary FP 1952–1956 20/24
László Jeney 30 May 1923 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) GK 29/33
Kálmán Markovits 26 August 1931 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) FP 20/25
Miklós Martin 29 June 1931 FP 21/25
István Szívós Sr. 20 August 1920 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) FP 31/36
1964 Ottó Boros 5 August 1929 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)  Hungary GK 1956, 1964 27/35
Tivadar Kanizsa 4 April 1933 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) FP 23/31
Mihály Mayer 27 December 1933 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) FP 22/30
1980 Aleksei Barkalov 18 February 1946 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)  Soviet Union FP 1972, 1980* 26/34
Aleksandr Kabanov 11 June 1948 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) FP 24/32
Viacheslav Sobchenko 18 April 1949 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) GK 23/31
1988 Dragan Andrić 6 June 1962 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)  Yugoslavia FP 1984–1988 22/26
Perica Bukić 20 February 1966 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) FP 18/22
Veselin Đuho 5 January 1960 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) FP 24/28
Deni Lušić 14 April 1962 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) FP 22/26
Igor Milanović 18 December 1965 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) FP 18/22
Tomislav Paškvalin 29 August 1961 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) FP 22/27
2004 Rajmund Fodor 21 February 1976 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)  Hungary FP 2000–2004 24/28
Barnabás Steinmetz 6 October 1975 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) FP 24/28
Attila Vári 26 February 1976 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) FP 24/28
2008 István Gergely 20 August 1976 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)  Hungary GK 2004–2008 28/32
Norbert Madaras 1 December 1979 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) FP 24/28
Tamás Varga 14 July 1975 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) FP 29/33
2020 Milan Aleksić 13 May 1986 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)  Serbia FP 2016–2020 30/35
Filip Filipović 2 May 1987 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) FP 29/34
Nikola Jakšić 17 January 1997 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) FP 19/24
Dušan Mandić 16 June 1994 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) FP 22/27
Branislav Mitrović 30 January 1985 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) GK 31/36
Stefan Mitrović 29 March 1988 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) FP 28/33
Duško Pijetlović 25 April 1985 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) FP 31/36
Gojko Pijetlović 7 August 1983 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) GK 33/38
Andrija Prlainović 28 April 1987 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) FP 29/34
Sava Ranđelović 17 July 1993 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) FP 23/28
Year Player Date of birth Height Men's team Pos Olympic titles Age of
first/last

Olympic and world champions (players)

[edit]
See also: List of world champions in men's water polo § Player statistics

The following tables are pre-sorted by number of Olympic titles (in descending order), number of world titles (in descending order), year of receiving the last gold medal (in ascending order), year of receiving the first gold medal (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 11 August 2023.

As of the 2020 Summer Olympics, there are ninety-six male athletes who won gold medals in water polo at the Summer Olympics and the World Aquatics Championships.

Legend

  • Year* – As host team
Male water polo players who won three Olympic titles and one or more world titles
# Player Birth Height Pos Summer Olympics World Aquatics Championships Total
titles		 ISHOF
member
Age Men's team Title Age Men's team Title
1 Tibor Benedek 1972 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) FP 28–32–36  Hungary 2000–2004–2008 31  Hungary 2003 4 2016
Péter Biros 1976 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) FP 24–28–32 27 2016
Tamás Kásás 1976 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) FP 24–28–32 27 2016
Gergely Kiss 1977 1.99 m (6 ft 6 in) FP 23–26–30 25 2016
Tamás Molnár 1975 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) FP 25–29–33 27 2016
Zoltán Szécsi 1977 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) GK 22–26–30 25 2016
Male water polo players who won two Olympic titles and two or more world titles
# Player Birth Height Pos Summer Olympics World Aquatics Championships Total
titles		 ISHOF
member
Age Men's team Title Age Men's team Title
7 Aleksandr Kabanov 1948 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) FP 24, 32  Soviet Union 1972, 1980* 27, 34  Soviet Union 1975, 1982 4 2001
8 Perica Bukić 1966 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) FP 18–22  Yugoslavia 1984–1988 20–24  Yugoslavia 1986–1991 4 2008
Igor Milanović 1965 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) FP 18–22 20–25 2006
10 Norbert Madaras 1979 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) FP 24–28  Hungary 2004–2008 23, 33  Hungary 2003, 2013 4
11 Milan Aleksić 1986 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) FP 30–35  Serbia 2016–2020 23, 29  Serbia 2009, 2015 4
Filip Filipović 1987 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) FP 29–34 22, 28
Stefan Mitrović 1988 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) FP 28–33 21, 27
Duško Pijetlović 1985 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) FP 31–36 24, 30
Gojko Pijetlović 1983 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) GK 33–38 25, 32
Andrija Prlainović 1987 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) FP 29–34 22, 28
# Player Birth Height Pos Age Men's team Title Age Men's team Title Total
titles		 ISHOF
member
Summer Olympics World Aquatics Championships
Male water polo players who won two Olympic titles and a world title
# Player Birth Height Pos Summer Olympics World Aquatics Championships Total
titles		 ISHOF
member
Age Men's team Title Age Men's team Title
17 Aleksei Barkalov 1946 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) FP 26, 34  Soviet Union 1972, 1980* 29  Soviet Union 1975 3 1993
18 Dragan Andrić 1962 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) FP 22–26  Yugoslavia 1984–1988 24  Yugoslavia 1986 3
Veselin Đuho 1960 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) FP 24–28 26
Deni Lušić 1962 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) FP 22–26 24
Tomislav Paškvalin 1961 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) FP 22–27 24
22 Rajmund Fodor 1976 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) FP 24–28  Hungary 2000–2004 27  Hungary 2003 3
Barnabás Steinmetz 1975 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) FP 24–28 27
Attila Vári 1976 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) FP 24–28 27
25 István Gergely 1976 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) GK 28–32  Hungary 2004–2008 26  Hungary 2003 3
Tamás Varga 1975 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) FP 29–33 28
27 Nikola Jakšić 1997 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) FP 19–24  Serbia 2016–2020 18  Serbia 2015 3
Dušan Mandić 1994 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) FP 22–27 21
Branislav Mitrović 1985 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) GK 31–36 30
Sava Ranđelović 1993 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) FP 23–28 22
# Player Birth Height Pos Age Men's team Title Age Men's team Title Total
titles		 ISHOF
member
Summer Olympics World Aquatics Championships
Male water polo players who won an Olympic title and two or more world titles
# Player Birth Height Pos Summer Olympics World Aquatics Championships Total
titles		 ISHOF
member
Age Men's team Title Age Men's team Title
31 Slobodan Nikić 1983 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) FP 33  Serbia 2016 22  Serbia and Montenegro 2005 4
26, 32  Serbia 2009, 2015
32 Dubravko Šimenc 1966 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) FP 21  Yugoslavia 1988 19–24  Yugoslavia 1986–1991 3
Mirko Vičević 1968 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) FP 20 18–22 2022
34 Daniel Ballart 1973 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) FP 23  Spain 1996 24–28  Spain 1998–2001 3
Salvador Gómez 1968 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) FP 28 29–33
Iván Moro 1974 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) FP 21 23–26
Sergi Pedrerol 1969 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) FP 26 28–31
Jesús Rollán 1968 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) GK 28 29–33 2012
Carles Sanz 1975 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) FP 21 22–26
40 Živko Gocić 1982 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) FP 33  Serbia 2016 26, 32  Serbia 2009, 2015 3
41 Andro Bušlje 1986 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) FP 26  Croatia 2012 21, 31  Croatia 2007, 2017 3
Maro Joković 1987 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) FP 24 19, 29
43 Dénes Varga 1987 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) FP 21  Hungary 2008 26, 36  Hungary 2013, 2023 3
# Player Birth Height Pos Age Men's team Title Age Men's team Title Total
titles		 ISHOF
member
Summer Olympics World Aquatics Championships
Male water polo players who won an Olympic title and a world title (part 1/3)
# Player Birth Height Pos Summer Olympics World Aquatics Championships Total
titles		 ISHOF
member
Age Men's team Title Age Men's team Title
44 András Bodnár 1942 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) FP 22  Hungary 1964 31  Hungary 1973 2 2017
45 Aleksandr Dolgushin 1946 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) FP 26  Soviet Union 1972 29  Soviet Union 1975 2 2010
Aleksandr Dreval 1944 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) FP 28 31
Nikolay Melnikov 1948 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) FP 24 27
48 Gábor Csapó 1950 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) FP 25  Hungary 1976 22  Hungary 1973 2
Tibor Cservenyák 1948 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) FP 27 25
Tamás Faragó 1952 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) FP 23 21 1993
Ferenc Konrád 1945 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) FP 31 28
Endre Molnár 1945 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) GK 31 28
László Sárosi 1946 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) FP 29 26
István Szívós Jr. 1948 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) FP 28 25 1996
55 Vladimir Ivanovich Akimov 1953 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) FP 27  Soviet Union 1980* 29  Soviet Union 1982 2
Mikhail Ivanov 1958 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) FP 22 24
Sergey Kotenko 1956 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) FP 23 25
Giorgi Mshvenieradze 1960 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) FP 19 21
Erkin Shagaev 1959 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) FP 21 23
Yevgeny Sharonov 1958 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) GK 21 23 2003
# Player Birth Height Pos Age Men's team Title Age Men's team Title Total
titles		 ISHOF
member
Summer Olympics World Aquatics Championships
Male water polo players who won an Olympic title and a world title (part 2/3)
# Player Birth Height Pos Summer Olympics World Aquatics Championships Total
titles		 ISHOF
member
Age Men's team Title Age Men's team Title
61 Milorad Krivokapić 1956 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) GK 28  Yugoslavia 1984 30  Yugoslavia 1986 2
Zoran Petrović 1960 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) FP 23 26
Andrija Popović 1959 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) GK 24 26
Goran Sukno 1959 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) FP 25 27
65 Mislav Bezmalinović 1967 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) FP 21  Yugoslavia 1988 23  Yugoslavia 1991 2
Renco Posinković 1964 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) GK 24 27
Goran Rađenović 1966 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) FP 21 24
Aleksandar Šoštar 1964 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) GK 24 26 2011
69 Francesco Attolico 1963 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) FP 29  Italy 1992 31  Italy 1994* 2
Gianni Averaimo 1964 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) GK 27 30
Alessandro Bovo 1969 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) FP 23 25
Sandro Campagna 1963 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) FP 29 31 2019
Marco D'Altrui 1964 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) FP 28 30 2010
Massimiliano Ferretti 1966 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) FP 26 28
Mario Fiorillo 1962 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) FP 29 31
Ferdinando Gandolfi 1967 FP 25 27
Amedeo Pomilio 1967 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) FP 25 27
Francesco Porzio 1966 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) FP 26 28
Pino Porzio 1967 FP 25 27
Carlo Silipo 1971 1.99 m (6 ft 6 in) FP 20 23
# Player Birth Height Pos Age Men's team Title Age Men's team Title Total
titles		 ISHOF
member
Summer Olympics World Aquatics Championships
Male water polo players who won an Olympic title and a world title (part 3/3)
# Player Birth Height Pos Summer Olympics World Aquatics Championships Total
titles		 ISHOF
member
Age Men's team Title Age Men's team Title
81 Manuel Estiarte 1961 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) FP 34  Spain 1996 36  Spain 1998 2 2007
Pedro García 1968 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) FP 27 29
Jordi Sans 1965 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) FP 30 32
84 Ángel Andreo 1972 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) GK 23  Spain 1996 28  Spain 2001 2
85 Zsolt Varga 1972 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) FP 28  Hungary 2000 31  Hungary 2003 2
86 Samir Barać 1973 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) FP 38  Croatia 2012 33  Croatia 2007 2
Miho Bošković 1983 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) FP 29 24
Damir Burić 1980 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) FP 31 26
Igor Hinić 1975 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) FP 36 31
Josip Pavić 1982 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) GK 30 25
Frano Vićan 1976 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) GK 36 31
92 Norbert Hosnyánszky 1984 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) FP 24  Hungary 2008 29  Hungary 2013 2
Dániel Varga 1983 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) FP 24 29
94 Miloš Ćuk 1990 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) FP 25  Serbia 2016 24  Serbia 2015 2
95 Ivan Buljubašić 1987 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) FP 24  Croatia 2012 29  Croatia 2017 2
Sandro Sukno 1990 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) FP 22 27
# Player Birth Height Pos Age Men's team Title Age Men's team Title Total
titles		 ISHOF
member
Summer Olympics World Aquatics Championships

Olympic champion families

[edit]

The following tables are pre-sorted by year of receiving the Olympic gold medal (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 12 September 2021.

Legend

  • Year* – As host team
Two brothers participating in the Olympics
Family Player Date of birth Height Men's team Pos Olympic
title		 Age Note Ref
Rademacher Erich Rademacher 9 June 1901  Germany GK 1928 27 Two brothers in an
Olympic tournament		 [7]
Joachim Rademacher 20 June 1906 FP 22 [8]
Keserű Alajos Keserű 8 March 1905  Hungary FP 1932 27 Two brothers in an
Olympic tournament		 [9]
Ferenc Keserű 27 August 1903 FP 28 [10]
Pandolfini Gianfranco Pandolfini 16 September 1920  Italy FP 1948 27 Two brothers in an
Olympic tournament		 [11]
Tullio Pandolfini 6 August 1914 34 [12]
Konrád János Konrád 27 August 1941 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)  Hungary FP 1964 23 [13]
Ferenc Konrád 17 April 1945 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) FP 1976 31 [14]
Akimov Anatoly Akimov 15 November 1947 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)  Soviet Union FP 1972 24 [15]
Vladimir Akimov 20 July 1953 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) FP 1980* 27 [16]
Porzio Francesco Porzio 26 January 1966 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)  Italy FP 1992 26 Two brothers in an
Olympic tournament		 [17]
Pino Porzio 26 February 1967 FP 25 [18]
Steinmetz Barnabás Steinmetz 6 October 1975 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)  Hungary CB 2000 24 [19]
2004 28 Two brothers in an
Olympic tournament
Ádám Steinmetz 11 August 1980 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) FP 24 [20]
Varga Dániel Varga 25 September 1983 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)  Hungary FP 2008 24 Two brothers in an
Olympic tournament		 [21]
Dénes Varga 29 March 1987 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) FP 21 [22]
Pijetlović Duško Pijetlović 25 April 1985 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)  Serbia FP 2016–2020 31–36 Two brothers in an
Olympic tournament		 [23]
Gojko Pijetlović 7 August 1983 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) GK 33–38 [24]
Family Player Date of birth Height Men's team Pos Olympic
title		 Age Note Ref
Father and son participating in the Olympics
Family Player Date of birth Height Men's team Pos Olympic
title		 Age Ref
Szívós István Szívós Sr. 20 August 1920 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)  Hungary FP 1952–1956 31–36 [25]
István Szívós Jr. 24 April 1948 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) FP 1976 28 [26]
D'Altrui Giuseppe D'Altrui 7 April 1934 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)  Italy FP 1960* 26 [27]
Marco D'Altrui 25 April 1964 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) FP 1992 28 [28]
Sukno Goran Sukno 6 April 1959 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)  Yugoslavia FP 1984 25 [29]
Sandro Sukno 30 June 1990 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)  Croatia FP 2012 22 [30]

Coach statistics

[edit]

Most successful coaches

[edit]
Ratko Rudić coached three men's national teams to four Olympic gold medals.

The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic gold medals (in descending order), year of winning the last Olympic gold medal (in ascending order), name of the coach (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 12 September 2021.

There are four coaches who led men's national water polo teams to win two or more Olympic gold medals.

Ratko Rudić is the most successful water polo coach in Olympic history. As a head coach, he led three men's national water polo teams to win four Olympic gold medals. He guided Yugoslavia men's national team to two consecutive gold medals in 1984 and 1988, Italy men's national team to a gold medal in 1992, and Croatia men's national team to a gold medal in 2012, making him the first and only coach to lead three different men's national water polo teams to the Olympic titles.[31][32]

Dénes Kemény of Hungary is another coach who led men's national water polo team(s) to win three Olympic gold medals. Under his leadership, the Hungary men's national team won three gold in a row between 2000 and 2008, becoming the second water polo team to have an Olympic winning streak.[33]

Béla Rajki coached the Hungary men's national team to two consecutive Olympic gold medals in 1952 and 1956.[34]

Dejan Savić led Serbia men's national team to win two consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2016 and 2021.[35]

Legend

  • Year* – As host team
Head coaches who led men's national teams to win two or more Olympic gold medals
Rk Head coach Nationality Birth Age Men's team Olympic titles Total Ref
1 Ratko Rudić  Yugoslavia 1948 36–40  Yugoslavia 1984–1988 4 [36]
[31]
[32]
 Croatia 44  Italy 1992
64  Croatia 2012
2 Dénes Kemény  Hungary 1954 46–54  Hungary 2000–2004–2008 3 [33]
3 Béla Rajki  Hungary 1909 43–47  Hungary 1952–1956 2 [34]
Dejan Savić  Serbia 1975 41–46  Serbia 2016–2020 2 [35]

Champions as coach and player

[edit]

The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic gold medals (in descending order), year of winning the last Olympic gold medal (in ascending order), name of the person (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 12 September 2021.

Only one water polo player won an Olympic gold medal and then guided a men's national water polo team to the Olympic title as a head coach.

Dezső Gyarmati of Hungary won three Olympic gold medals in 1952–1956 and 1964. He coached the Hungary men's national team to a gold in 1976.[37][38]

Legend

  • Year* – As host team
Rk Person Birth Height Player Head coach Total
titles		 Ref
Age Men's team Pos Olympic title Age Men's team Olympic title
1 Dezső Gyarmati 1927 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) 24–27, 36  Hungary FP 1952–1956, 1964 48  Hungary 1976 4 [37][38]

Olympic and world champions (coaches)

[edit]
See also: List of world champions in men's water polo § Coach statistics

The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic titles (in descending order), number of world titles (in descending order), year of winning the last gold medal (in ascending order), year of winning the first gold medal (in ascending order), name of the coach (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 12 September 2021.

As of the 2020 Summer Olympics, there are six head coaches who led men's national teams to win gold medals in water polo at the Summer Olympics and the World Aquatics Championships.

Legend

  • Year* – As host team
Head coaches who led men's national teams to win gold medals in water polo
at the Summer Olympics and the World Aquatics Championships
# Coach Nationality Birth Summer Olympics World Aquatics Championships Total
titles		 ISHOF
member		 Ref
Age Men's team Title Age Men's team Title
1 Ratko Rudić  Yugoslavia 1948 36–40  Yugoslavia 1984–1988 38  Yugoslavia 1986 7 2007 [36]
[31]
[32]
 Croatia 44  Italy 1992 46  Italy 1994*
64  Croatia 2012 58  Croatia 2007
2 Dénes Kemény  Hungary 1954 46–54  Hungary 2000–2004–2008 49  Hungary 2003 4 2011 [33]
3 Dejan Savić  Serbia 1975 41–46  Serbia 2016–2020 40  Serbia 2015 3 [35]
4 Juan Jané  Spain 1953 43  Spain 1996 44–48  Spain 1998–2001 3 [39]
5 Dezső Gyarmati  Hungary 1927 48  Hungary 1976 45  Hungary 1973 2 1976 [37][38]
Boris Popov  Soviet Union 1941 39  Soviet Union 1980* 41  Soviet Union 1982 2 2019 [40][41]

Champions by tournament

[edit]

2020 (Serbia, 2nd title)

[edit]
Results
Match Round Date Cap
color		 Opponent Result Goals
for		 Goals
against		 Goal
diff.
Match 1/8 Preliminary round – Group B 25 July 2021   White  Spain Lost 12 13 –1
Match 2/8 Preliminary round – Group B 27 July 2021   Blue  Kazakhstan Won 19 5 14
Match 3/8 Preliminary round – Group B 29 July 2021   White  Australia Won 14 8 6
Match 4/8 Preliminary round – Group B 31 July 2021   Blue  Croatia Lost 12 14 –2
Match 5/8 Preliminary round – Group B 2 August 2021   White