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Age: 22
Place of Birth: Eger, Hungary
University: University of Salzburg (AUT)
Sport: Orienteering
How and why did you get involved in Orienteering?
When I was 14, there was a school-orienteering event at my school in Hungary to make this sport more popular. We just had to run in the gym hall and find the controls, but it was so fun that I told my mum that I wanted to go to the next training… and so I did!
What do you study, and how do you balance your study, training and competition?
I’m studying Molecular Biology at the University of Salzburg. In the first semester it was hard to find my way in a new city and the study programme was not easy as well. But it was really exciting to run in this beautiful city and in the mountains, so sometimes I studied at night because the mountains were calling. It is important to plan the competitions in advance and to coordinate them with the exams. This is (hopefully) my last semester until I get my Bachelor’s Degree, so now I must concentrate in the university, but I also have to let off steam so I still find time to run regularly.
Tell us about your experiences at previous EUSA events, or will EUG2020 be your first EUSA competition?
The first European Universities Orienteering Championships was held last year in the Czech Republic, so it was my first time competing at a EUSA event. The weather was really hot at the end of July, therefore it was really tiring. A competition like this was a new experience for me, I’ve never been to any European or World Championships, so I found it nice that everyone had the chance to compete at the EUSA event. I met a lot of new people there and I learned a lot Czech. It was great that I met some of the competitors already on the train to the event centre, because they had the typical orienteering bags and watches on.
What are you looking forward to most in Belgrade, and what are your aspirations ahead of the event?
I think there will be a completely different mood, because all competitions will take place in Belgrade. I hope that I get to know many new people from all over Europe. I can’t wait to run in the forests in Serbia and to compete in a totally new place. The Serbian culture must be interesting as well. I know that I won’t be the best, but I can give the best of myself.
“I can’t wait to run in the forests in Serbia and to compete in a totally new place.”
Why do you think taking part in university sport is important?
It is important to take a break between exams and to move a bit. The fresh air can change my mind completely and I can concentrate after a good run, better than before. Sometimes it is enough to stretch my muscles or take some steps up and down in the corridor. I wouldn’t be able to study the whole day without moving, and I think this wouldn’t be healthy either.
What is your most memorable university sport moment?
My most memorable moment was the sprint relay in Olomouc. I was the only participant from my university, so I thought that I couldn’t take part in this race. However, the organisers found a running partner for everyone and I could run. My partner was one of the best runners from the Czech Republic so I could also practice some Czech before running like hell to not disappoint her!
What is your message to European student-athletes like yourself?
There are a lot of sport courses available at every university, so use your chance and try something different. Maybe it will be the beginning of a new friendship. Keep chasing your dreams, because you can achieve everything if you trust in yourself.
EUSA would like to congratulate Kitti for her success at the European Universities Championships last year and we hope to see her very soon, at the 2020 European Universities Games in Belgrade, Serbia!