From Early Beginnings to Champions League Glory – Tamás Sedlmayer on Career, Sacrifice & Elite Water Polo

In this international episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, I speak with Tamás Sedlmayer, Hungarian professional water polo player and Champions League winner with Ferencváros (2019), about his journey from early childhood in Budapest to the very top of European club water polo.

Tamás shares how he first entered the pool at the age of three, fell in love with water sports instantly, and started first as a swimmer before transitioning into water polo. He explains why strong swimming fundamentals became one of the biggest advantages of his entire career — and why even Olympic legends like Tibor Benedek continued working on their swimming technique late in their careers.

We follow his development through the famous BVSC youth system in Budapest, later UVSE, and the moment that changed everything: receiving his first professional contract at just 17 years old with Vasas, after being scouted at a youth World Championship.
Tamás also reflects on his international club experiences, including:
– Spandau 04 (Germany, Berlin)
– Trieste (Italy)
– His return to Hungary and Budapest clubs

The emotional highlight of the episode is his Champions League title in 2019 with Ferencváros, crowned in a dramatic penalty shootout final against Olympiacos, where Tamás himself successfully converted one of the decisive penalties.

We also discuss:
– Pressure vs. privilege of wearing the Hungarian national cap
– Why Hungary produces elite players despite a small population
– Early international success: U18 World Championship silver medal (2012, Perth)
– How to deal with setbacks, losses & negative phases
– Why discipline, patience and daily work matter more than talent
– His advice to young players: learning from pain, defeats and hard training

Topics of this episode:
– Youth development in Hungarian water polo
– Swimming as a foundation for elite performance
– First professional contract at 17
– Playing in Germany & Italy
– Champions League victory with Ferencváros
– Penalty shootout pressure
– Hungarian national team culture
– Pressure vs. privilege of the cap
– Learning from defeat & mental resilience
– Advice for young athletes

This episode is a must-listen for young players, coaches and water polo fans worldwide who want to understand how a career at the top of European water polo is built step by step.