Flagbearers in judo: Krisztian Toth (HUN)

Krisztián Tóth of Hungary, who won a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020 and marked Hungary's 500th Olympic medal, will be carrying the flag for his country at the Paris Olympic Games. The Hungarian judo team will appear with eight judoka in Paris, consisting of three women and five men. Tóth's ambition is to become the first Hungarian to win two senior Olympic judo medals.

Born  in 1994, in Darmstadt, Germany, Tóth now resides in Budapest, Hungary. He has had a distinguished career in the -90 kg weight category. He made his Olympic debut at the Rio 2016 Games, finishing ninth, and went on to win a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Tóth is also a double world championships medallist, securing silver in Chelyabinsk in 2014 and bronze in Budapest in 2021. Additionally, he is a five-time European championship medallist, with his most recent accolade being a silver medal in 2024.

Tóth's journey in judo began in 2000 at the KSI SE club in Budapest. His parents encouraged him to take up the sport to channel his excess energy. Since then, Tóth has trained diligently, currently under the guidance of coach Gábor Pánczél at MTK Budapest. Known for his preferred technique, seoi nage, Tóth has competed in numerous international events, including the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010, where he won a bronze medal in the -81 kg category.

Over the years, Tóth has amassed several significant achievements in the Grand Slam and Grand Prix circuits. He won the Grand Prix in Budapest in 2018 and in Zagreb in 2017, and earned multiple podium finishes in other international competitions, showcasing his consistency and skill.

In his personal life, Tóth is married to Panka Kurucz, and they have one son and one daughter. He holds a professional coaching degree from the Hungarian University of Sports Science in Budapest. Tóth is fluent in both English and Hungarian and enjoys playing rugby in his leisure time. His sporting philosophy, "Discipline. Work. Love. Victory," reflects his dedication and approach to judo.

Tóth draws inspiration from his hero, Ilias Iliadis, a two-time Olympic medallist and six-time world championship medallist, and from Antal Kovács, Hungary's 1992 Olympic champion and four-time Olympian. Tóth's notable memorable achievements include winning bronze at Tokyo 2020 and competing against Iliadis in the 2014 World Championships final. In recognition of his accomplishments, Tóth was awarded the Hungarian Cross of Merit in 2021.

As Tóth prepares to lead Hungary at the Paris Olympic Games, his presence as a flagbearer symbolizes not only his personal achievements but also the pride and hopes of his nation. His determination to secure a second Olympic medal underlines his status as a key figure in Hungarian judo and an inspiration to aspiring athletes.

Judo Flagbearers so far (updated Friday)

Amina Belkadi (ALG)

Ange Ciella Niragira (BUR)

Anna-Maria Wagner (GER)

Arnold Kisoka (COD)

Barbara Matic (CRO)

Djamila Silva (CPV)

Erlan Sherov (KGZ)

Faye Njie (GAM)

Gultaj Mammadaliyeva (AZE)

Hugo Cumbo (VAN)

Idalys Ortiz (CUB)

Izayana Marenco (NCA)

Juan Postigos (PER)

Klen Kristofer Kaljulaid (EST)

Krisztian Toth (HUN)

Larisa Ceric (BIH)

Manita Shrestha Pradhan (NEP)

Maryam March Maharani (INA)

Michaela Polleres (AUT)

Nora Gjakova (KOS)

Akil Gjakova (KOS)

Peter Paltchik (ISR)

Richelle Anita Soppi Mbella (CMR)

Serdar Rahimov (TKM)

Temur Rakhimov (TJK)

Valentin Houinato (BEN)

Thomas Mlugu (TAN)

Lukas Krpalek (CZE)