István Csoknyai
Encyclopedia
István Csoknyai is a former Hungarian international handball
player and handball coach, who currently works as the assistant of Lajos Mocsai by MKB Veszprém KC.
in 1983, and except a short spell at Honvéd Szondi SE he stayed until 1990. Dunaferr was a yo-yo club that period and Csoknyai has experienced three relegations (1984, 1986, 1989) and three promotions (1983, 1985, 1987) during his time at the club. Despite playing for a struggling team, his impressive display have convinced KC Veszprém
of being a quality player, and the Transdanubians have moved on to sign the back player.
Csoknyai spent fifteen seasons with Veszprém and played a major role in the success story of the team, that have gained near total domination in domestic competitions and also became a top club on contintental level. He has won twelve Hungarian championship and as many Hungarian cup titles in these years, completing his collection with an EHF Cup Winners' Cup gold medal. In 2002, he was close to take the most prestigious continental event, the EHF Champions League
trophy as well, but Veszprém fell short to SC Magdeburg
in the finals.
Three years later, at the age of 40, he finally gave up playing professional handball. He has hold the record of most domestic league and cup titles and most league and continental competition matches amongst the Hungarian players when retired.
Csoknyai did not stay away entirely from the sport, as he took the assistant coach position of Veszprém after his retirement.
From September 2009 to July 2010 he also worked as the head coach of the Hungarian men's national handball team
, but under his guidance the team did not perform as it was expected and achieved only a disappointing fourteenth place on the 2010 European Championship
.
, made his international debut on 13 June 1991 against Austria
. He participated on the 1992 Summer Olympics
a year later, where he played on five games and scored six goals.
He took part on three World Championships
(1993, 1997, 1999), capturing the best result in 1997 by finishing fourth. Csoknyai was also present on the European Championship
three times in row between 1994 and 1998, achieving a seventh, a tenth and a sixth place, respectively.
He has ended his long international career on 6 June 2004 with a match against Norway
.
Team handball
Handball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team...
player and handball coach, who currently works as the assistant of Lajos Mocsai by MKB Veszprém KC.
Club
Csoknyai started his career by his hometown club Dunaferr SEDunaferr SE (men's handball)
Dunaferr Sportegyesület is a Hungarian handball club from Dunaújváros, that is part of the multi-sports club running under the same name. The team enjoyed their best spell in the early 2000s, having won the Hungarian Championship in 2000 and the Hungarian Cup in 2001...
in 1983, and except a short spell at Honvéd Szondi SE he stayed until 1990. Dunaferr was a yo-yo club that period and Csoknyai has experienced three relegations (1984, 1986, 1989) and three promotions (1983, 1985, 1987) during his time at the club. Despite playing for a struggling team, his impressive display have convinced KC Veszprém
KC Veszprém
Kézilabda Club Veszprém is a Hungarian handball club from Veszprém, that plays in the Nemzeti Bajnokság I and the EHF Champions League. One of the most successful teams in the country, Veszprém have won the Hungarian Championship a record 19 times and took the Hungarian Cup title an unprecedented...
of being a quality player, and the Transdanubians have moved on to sign the back player.
Csoknyai spent fifteen seasons with Veszprém and played a major role in the success story of the team, that have gained near total domination in domestic competitions and also became a top club on contintental level. He has won twelve Hungarian championship and as many Hungarian cup titles in these years, completing his collection with an EHF Cup Winners' Cup gold medal. In 2002, he was close to take the most prestigious continental event, the EHF Champions League
EHF Champions League
The EHF Champions League is the most important professional club handball competition in Europe . The competition was started in the 1956–57 season, and is administered by the European Handball Federation.The most successful teams are from Germany and Spain...
trophy as well, but Veszprém fell short to SC Magdeburg
SC Magdeburg
SC Magdeburg is a German multi-sports club located in the city of Magdeburg, which offers athletics, canoeing, gymnastics, rowing, swimming and team handball. Historically, the club has also had a water polo section as well as a football section that was separated that as 1. FC Magdeburg in 1965...
in the finals.
Three years later, at the age of 40, he finally gave up playing professional handball. He has hold the record of most domestic league and cup titles and most league and continental competition matches amongst the Hungarian players when retired.
Csoknyai did not stay away entirely from the sport, as he took the assistant coach position of Veszprém after his retirement.
From September 2009 to July 2010 he also worked as the head coach of the Hungarian men's national handball team
Hungary national handball team
The Hungary national handball team is the national handball team that represents Hungary in the international matches. It is administered by the Hungarian Handball Federation.-Olympic Games record:* 1936 - 4th* 1972 - 8th* 1976 - 6th* 1980 - 4th...
, but under his guidance the team did not perform as it was expected and achieved only a disappointing fourteenth place on the 2010 European Championship
2010 European Men's Handball Championship
The 2010 EHF European Men's Handball Championship was held in Austria from 19–31 January, in the cities of Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, Linz and Wiener Neustadt.-Venues:...
.
International
Csoknyai, who has been capped 170 times for HungaryHungary national handball team
The Hungary national handball team is the national handball team that represents Hungary in the international matches. It is administered by the Hungarian Handball Federation.-Olympic Games record:* 1936 - 4th* 1972 - 8th* 1976 - 6th* 1980 - 4th...
, made his international debut on 13 June 1991 against Austria
Austria national handball team
The Austria national handball team are the national handball team of Austria.-World Men's Handball Championship record:...
. He participated on the 1992 Summer Olympics
Handball at the 1992 Summer Olympics
Final results for the Handball competition at the 1992 Summer Olympics:-Medal summary:-References:*...
a year later, where he played on five games and scored six goals.
He took part on three World Championships
World Men's Handball Championship
The World Championship in team handball for men has been organized by the International Handball Federation since 1938.- History :In 1938, the first indoor handball world championship was played in the Deutschlandhalle in Berlin, Germany on 5 February and 6 February...
(1993, 1997, 1999), capturing the best result in 1997 by finishing fourth. Csoknyai was also present on the European Championship
European Men's Handball Championship
The European men's handball championship is the official competition for senior men's national handball teams of Europe, and takes place every two years. In addition to crowning the European champions, the tournament also serves as a qualifying tournament for the World Championship...
three times in row between 1994 and 1998, achieving a seventh, a tenth and a sixth place, respectively.
He has ended his long international career on 6 June 2004 with a match against Norway
Norway national handball team
The Norway national handball team is the national handball team of Norway. Controlled by the Norwegian Handball Federation it represents Norway in international matches.- Current squad :...
.
Personal
He is married and has three children, two son, András (b. 1987) and Balázs (b. 1989) and a daughter, Nóra (b. 1994). All three are handball players.Achievements
- Nemzeti Bajnokság I:
- Winner: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
- Magyar Kupa:
- Winner: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
- EHF Champions LeagueEHF Champions LeagueThe EHF Champions League is the most important professional club handball competition in Europe . The competition was started in the 1956–57 season, and is administered by the European Handball Federation.The most successful teams are from Germany and Spain...
:- Finalist: 2002
- EHF Cup Winners' Cup:
- Winner: 1992
- Finalist: 1993, 1997
- EHF Champions Trophy:
- Finalist: 2002, 2008
Individual awards
- Pro Urbe Prize (1992, 2002)
- Life Achievement Award of Veszprém County (2004)