List of Olympic champions in men's water polo

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

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

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.

The following tables show records of goals for per match.

The following tables show records of goals against per match.

The following tables show records of goal difference per match.

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.

The following tables show records of average height.

The following tables show records of average weight.

Olympic and world champions (teams)

edit

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

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

Multiple gold medalists

edit

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

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

Legend

  • Year* – As host team

Olympic and world champions (players)

edit

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

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

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

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

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2020 (pp. 22, 28, 48, 54, 68, 76, 88, 96).

 
Branislav Mitrović saved 70 shots at the 2020 Olympics, helping Serbia win gold.

Note: Duško Pijetlović and Gojko Pijetlović are brothers.
Sources:

Abbreviation

  • MP – Matches played
  • Min – Minutes
  • Avg min – Average minutes
  • G – Goals
  • Sh – Shots
  • TF – Turnover fouls
  • ST – Steals
  • RB – Rebounds
  • BL – Blocked shots
  • SP – Sprints
Statistics (part 1)
Cap
No.
Player Pos MP Minutes played Goals/Shots TF ST RB BL Sprints
Min Avg
min
% G Sh % Won SP %
1 Gojko Pijetlović GK 2 64 32.0 3.6% 2
2 Dušan Mandić FP 8 162 20.3 9.0% 17 36 47.2% 2 7 7 4
3 Nikola Dedović FP 8 168 21.0 9.4% 5 16 31.3% 3 3 4 2 2 10 20.0%
4 Sava Ranđelović FP 8 66 8.3 3.7% 3 7 42.9% 2 1 1 1
5 Đorđe Lazić FP 8 120 15.0 6.7% 4 12 33.3% 7 5 2 6
6 Duško Pijetlović FP 8 119 14.9 6.6% 12 24 50.0% 10 1 3 3
7 Strahinja Rašović FP 8 195 24.4 10.9% 13 34 38.2% 3 3 6 4 8 19 42.1%
8 Milan Aleksić FP 8 96 12.0 5.4% 2 10 20.0% 2 2 4 4
9 Nikola Jakšić FP 8 128 16.0 7.1% 12 20 60.0% 2 5 3 4
10 Filip Filipović (C) FP 8 174 21.8 9.7% 16 27 59.3% 2 6 10 10 1 2 50.0%
11 Andrija Prlainović FP 8 175 21.9 9.8% 12 34 35.3% 3 4 6 4
12 Stefan Mitrović FP 8 135 16.9 7.5% 7 17 41.2% 1 4 2 3 0 1 0.0%
13 Branislav Mitrović GK 6 192 32.0 10.7% 4
Team 3
Total 8 256 32.0 100% 103 237 43.5% 40 47 48 45 11 32 34.4%
Against 71 243 29.2% 40 41 44 17 21 32 65.6%

Abbreviation

  • CP – Centre forward position exclusion
  • FP – Field exclusion
  • DS – Driving situation exclusion
  • M6 – Exclusion in 6 metre free throw situation
  • CS – Counter attacking situation exclusion
  • DE – Double exclusion
  • Pen – Penalty foul
  • EX – Exclusions with substitution
Statistics (part 2)
Cap
No.
Player Pos Personal fouls
CP FP DS M6 CS DE Pen EX
1 Gojko Pijetlović GK
2 Dušan Mandić FP 5 3 1
3 Nikola Dedović FP 9 2 1 1 1 1
4 Sava Ranđelović FP 16 1 1 3
5 Đorđe Lazić FP 1 1 1
6 Duško Pijetlović FP 7 1 1 1 1
7 Strahinja Rašović FP 2 1
8 Milan Aleksić FP 14 2 2 2
9 Nikola Jakšić FP 13 3 1 1
10 Filip Filipović (C) FP 4 1
11 Andrija Prlainović FP 4 5 2 1
12 Stefan Mitrović FP 3 2 2 2 2
13 Branislav Mitrović GK
Total 78 19 7 7 6 11
Against 71 10 2 5 5 11 10
Statistics (part 3)
Cap
No.
Player Pos Saves/Shots
Saves Shots %
1 Gojko Pijetlović GK 19 38 50.0%
13 Branislav Mitrović GK 70 122 57.4%
Total 89 160 55.6%

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2020 (p. 150).

2016 (Serbia, 1st title)

edit
  • Edition of men's tournament: 27th
  • Host city:   Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion:   Serbia (1st title; 4th place in preliminary A group)

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2016 (pp. 9, 21, 37, 53, 65, 75, 83, 91).

 
Filip Filipović scored 19 goals at the 2016 Olympics, helping Serbia win gold. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the men's water polo tournament.

Note: Duško Pijetlović and Gojko Pijetlović are brothers.
Sources:

Abbreviation

  • MP – Matches played
  • Min – Minutes
  • G – Goals
  • Sh – Shots
  • AS – Assists
  • TF – Turnover fouls
  • ST – Steals
  • BL – Blocked shots
  • SP – Sprints
  • 20S – 20 seconds exclusion
  • DE – Double exclusion
  • Pen – Penalty
  • EX – Exclusion
Statistics
Cap
No.
Player Pos MP Minutes played Goals/Shots AS TF ST BL Sprints Personal fouls
Min % G Sh % Won SP % 20S DE Pen EX
1 Gojko Pijetlović GK 8 32 12.5% 1
2 Dušan Mandić FP 8 170 66.4% 12 24 50.0% 4 10 1 6 6
3 Živko Gocić (C) FP 8 156 60.9% 2 12 16.7% 3 3 3 3 3 8 37.5% 11
4 Sava Ranđelović FP 8 60 23.4% 2 4 50.0% 2 4 2 13 1 1
5 Miloš Ćuk FP 8 122 47.7% 6 21 28.6% 1 4 3 2 5 11 45.5% 4 1 1
6 Duško Pijetlović FP 8 129 50.4% 8 16 50.0% 1 17 2 11 1
7 Slobodan Nikić FP 8 115 44.9% 10 20 50.0% 1 13 1 2 4
8 Milan Aleksić FP 8 134 52.3% 4 13 30.8% 4 6 5 3 11 1 2
9 Nikola Jakšić FP 8 88 34.4% 4 7 57.1% 4 2 2 13 1 2
10 Filip Filipović FP 8 178 69.5% 19 44 43.2% 7 9 6 6 0 1 0.0% 7
11 Andrija Prlainović FP 8 210 82.0% 5 25 20.0% 6 5 5 5 9 1 1 2
12 Stefan Mitrović FP 8 174 68.0% 8 26 30.8% 1 10 4 7 4 12 33.3% 3
13 Branislav Mitrović GK 8 224 87.5% 11
Team 3
Total 8 256 100% 80 212 37.7% 28 86 46 40 12 32 37.5% 92 1 5 9
Against 66 216 30.6% 24 102 47 22 20 32 62.5% 82 1 4 7

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2016 (p. 131).

2012 (Croatia, 1st title)

edit
  • Edition of men's tournament: 26th
  • Host city:   London, United Kingdom
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion:   Croatia (1st title; 1st place in preliminary A group)

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2012 (pp. 373, 391, 399, 415, 421, 433, 445, 455).

 
Josip Pavić saved 85 shots at the 2012 Games, helping Croatia win the Olympic title. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the men's water polo tournament.

Sources:

Abbreviation

  • MP – Matches played
  • Min – Minutes
  • G – Goals
  • Sh – Shots
  • AS – Assists
  • TF – Turnover fouls
  • ST – Steals
  • BL – Blocked shots
  • SP – Sprints
  • 20S – 20 seconds exclusion
  • DE – Double exclusion
  • Pen – Penalty
  • EX – Exclusion
Statistics
Cap
No.
Player Pos MP Minutes played Goals/Shots AS TF ST BL Sprints Personal fouls
Min % G Sh % Won SP % 20S DE Pen EX
1 Josip Pavić GK 8 222 86.7% 4
2 Damir Burić FP 8 131 51.2% 5 14 35.7% 1 5 4 7 10 1
3 Miho Bošković FP 8 155 60.5% 15 33 45.5% 9 10 2 1 2 50.0% 7 1
4 Nikša Dobud FP 8 149 58.2% 12 20 60.0% 29 2 5 6 1
5 Maro Joković FP 8 206 80.5% 8 25 32.0% 15 8 2 6 7 13 53.8% 4 1
6 Ivan Buljubašić FP 8 88 34.4% 3 16 18.8% 6 3 13 2
7 Petar Muslim FP 8 118 46.1% 2 18 11.1% 5 11 2 4 1
8 Andro Bušlje FP 8 115 44.9% 3 13 23.1% 1 7 5 4 13 1 3
9 Sandro Sukno FP 8 210 82.0% 14 30 46.7% 7 11 7 3 11 16 68.8% 7 1 1 1
10 Samir Barać (C) FP 8 135 52.7% 4 15 26.7% 4 2 1 1 9
11 Igor Hinić FP 8 105 41.0% 2 8 25.0% 2 11 3 5 3 1 1
12 Paulo Obradović FP 8 124 48.4% 5 12 41.7% 4 7 2 4 0 1 0.0% 9 1 1
13 Frano Vićan GK 8 34 13.3% 1
Team 6
Total 8 256 100% 73 204 35.8% 55 107 35 37 19 32 59.4% 85 5 5 8
Against 42 230 18.3% 31 86 55 19 13 32 40.6% 82 5 8 7
Cap
No.
Player Pos Saves/Shots
Saves Shots %
1 Josip Pavić GK 85 121 70.2%
13 Frano Vićan GK 10 16 62.5%
Total 95 137 69.3%

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2012 (p. 471).

2008 (Hungary, 9th title)

edit
  • Edition of men's tournament: 25th
  • Host city:   Beijing, China
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion:   Hungary (9th title; 1st place in preliminary A group)

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2008 (pp. 84, 92, 94, 104, 106, 156, 168).

Note: Dániel Varga and Dénes Varga are brothers.
Sources:

Abbreviation

  • MP – Matches played
  • Min – Minutes
  • G – Goals
  • Sh – Shots
  • AS – Assists
  • TF – Turnover fouls
  • ST – Steals
  • BL – Blocked shots
  • SP – Sprints
  • 20S – 20 seconds exclusion
  • Pen – Penalty
  • EX – Exclusion
Statistics
Cap
No.
Player Pos MP Minutes played Goals/Shots AS TF ST BL Sprints Personal fouls
Min % G Sh % Won SP % 20S Pen EX
1 Zoltán Szécsi GK 7 151 67.4% 3
2 Tamás Varga FP 7 70 31.3% 0 9 0.0% 5 1 12 2
3 Norbert Madaras FP 7 131 58.5% 9 19 47.4% 5 3 3 3 6 50.0% 5 1 1
4 Dénes Varga FP 7 113 50.4% 10 18 55.6% 1 5 4 3 1 4 25.0% 3
5 Tamás Kásás FP 7 179 79.9% 8 29 27.6% 6 8 11 4 10 12 83.3% 6
6 Norbert Hosnyánszky FP 7 45 20.1% 2 7 28.6% 2 2 1 11 1 4
7 Gergely Kiss FP 7 178 79.5% 9 25 36.0% 12 12 1 1 1 1 100% 9
8 Tibor Benedek (C) FP 7 128 57.1% 10 18 55.6% 3 6 6 1 6
9 Dániel Varga FP 7 108 48.2% 8 20 40.0% 3 5 3 3 9 1
10 Péter Biros FP 7 176 78.6% 13 23 56.5% 3 4 8 8 3 5 60.0% 3 1
11 Gábor Kis FP 7 104 46.4% 6 9 66.7% 2 15 2 3 3
12 Tamás Molnár FP 7 111 49.6% 10 19 52.6% 21 2 6
13 István Gergely GK 7 73 32.6% 0 1 0.0% 1 4
Team 2
Total 7 224 100% 85 197 43.1% 36 88 47 27 18 28 64.3% 73 3 8
Against 55 195 28.2% 19 93 52 27 10 28 35.7% 74 7 9
Cap
No.
Player Pos Saves/Shots
Saves Shots %
1 Zoltán Szécsi GK 42 83 50.6%
13 István Gergely GK 24 38 63.2%
Total 66 121 54.5%

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2008 (p. 202).

2004 (Hungary, 8th title)

edit
  • Edition of men's tournament: 24th
  • Host city:   Athens, Greece
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion:   Hungary (8th title; 1st place in preliminary A group)

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2004 (pp. 93, 101, 105, 109, 116, 164, 173).

 
Gergely Kiss scored 14 goals at the 2004 Olympics, helping Hungary win gold. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the men's water polo tournament.

Note: Ádám Steinmetz and Barnabás Steinmetz are brothers.
Sources:

Abbreviation

  • MP – Matches played
  • Min – Minutes
  • G – Goals
  • Sh – Shots
  • AS – Assists
  • TF – Turnover fouls
  • ST – Steals
  • BL – Blocked shots
  • SP – Sprints
  • 20S – 20 seconds exclusion
  • Pen – Penalty
  • EX – Exclusion
Statistics
Cap
No.
Player Pos MP Minutes played Goals/Shots AS TF ST BL Sprints Personal fouls
Min % G Sh % Won SP % 20S Pen EX
1 Zoltán Szécsi GK 7 168 85.7% 6
2 Tamás Varga FP 7 48 24.5% 3 5 60.0% 3 1 1 12 2
3 Norbert Madaras FP 7 76 38.8% 5 10 50.0% 1 2 5 3 9 33.3% 3
4 Ádám Steinmetz FP 7 82 41.8% 3 5 60.0% 1 11 3 3
5 Tamás Kásás FP 7 183 93.4% 14 30 46.7% 3 7 8 6 7 9 77.8% 3
6 Attila Vári FP 7 70 35.7% 2 18 11.1% 2 3 1 11 1
7 Gergely Kiss FP 7 168 85.7% 14 31 45.2% 7 2 5 3 7
8 Tibor Benedek (C) FP 7 142 72.4% 5 21 23.8% 4 8 7 1 6 1
9 Rajmund Fodor FP 7 81 41.3% 4 10 40.0% 3 2 3 2
10 István Gergely GK 7 28 14.3% 1
11 Barnabás Steinmetz FP 7 56 28.6% 0 1 0.0% 5 1 12 1
12 Tamás Molnár FP 7 107 54.6% 2 7 28.6% 15 1 2 2
13 Péter Biros FP 7 163 83.2% 7 27 25.9% 2 1 5 2 4 10 40.0% 4
Total 7 196 100% 59 165 35.8% 24 51 52 20 14 28 50.0% 62 1 4
Against 39 129 30.2% 12 85 36 19 13 28 46.4% 70 7 10
Cap
No.
Player Pos Saves/Shots
Saves Shots %
1 Zoltán Szécsi GK 40 75 53.3%
10 István Gergely GK 8 12 66.7%
Total 48 87 55.2%

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2004 (p. 207).

2000 (Hungary, 7th title)

edit
  • Edition of men's tournament: 23rd
  • Host city:   Sydney, Australia
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion:   Hungary (7th title; 3rd place in preliminary B group)

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2000 (pp. 45, 50, 55, 78, 81, 84, 87, 90).

Sources:

Abbreviation

  • MP – Matches played
  • Min – Minutes
  • G – Goals
  • Sh – Shots
  • AS – Assists
  • TF – Turnover fouls
  • ST – Steals
  • BL – Blocked shots
  • SP – Sprints
  • 20S – 20 seconds exclusion
  • Pen – Penalty
  • EX – Exclusion
Statistics
Cap
No.
Player Pos MP Minutes played Goals/Shots AS TF ST BL Sprints Personal fouls
Min % G Sh % Won SP % 20S Pen EX
1 Zoltán Kósz GK 8 203 90.6% 7
2 Bulcsú Székely FP 8 35 15.6% 2 5 40.0% 2 1
3 Tamás Märcz FP 8 36 16.1% 0 3 0.0% 1 1 1 3 2
4 Zsolt Varga FP 8 64 28.6% 3 7 42.9% 5 5 2 2
5 Tamás Kásás FP 8 211 94.2% 12 33 36.4% 11 1 7 4 15 29 51.7% 7
6 Attila Vári FP 8 98 43.8% 10 25 40.0% 1 2 2 19 1
7 Gergely Kiss FP 8 155 69.2% 14 24 58.3% 10 2 2 4 4
8 Tibor Benedek FP 8 168 75.0% 9 21 42.9% 3 8 4 2 4
9 Rajmund Fodor FP 8 154 68.8% 8 15 53.3% 4 1 2 7 7
10 Zoltán Szécsi GK 8 21 9.4% 1
11 Barnabás Steinmetz FP 8 164 73.2% 6 16 37.5% 3 10 4 16
12 Tamás Molnár FP 8 142 63.4% 10 23 43.5% 3 26 2 3 1 1 100% 4
13 Péter Biros FP 8 117 52.2% 4 16 25.0% 2 5 1 6 2 2 100% 5
Total 8 224 100% 78 188 41.5% 41 54 38 38 18 32 56.2% 70 1 0
Against 57 202 28.2% 34 30 36 23 14 32 43.8% 91 3 5
Cap
No.
Player Pos Saves/Shots
Saves Shots %
1 Zoltán Kósz GK 58 112 51.8%
10 Zoltán Szécsi GK 6 9 66.7%
Total 64 121 52.9%

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2000 (pp. 45, 50, 55, 78, 81, 84, 87, 90).

1996 (Spain, 1st title)

edit
  • Edition of men's tournament: 22nd
  • Host city:   Atlanta, United States
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion:   Spain (1st title; 3rd place in preliminary A group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1996 (p. 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 70, 71, 73).

 
34-year-old Manuel Estiarte, the captain of Spain, won a gold medal during his fifth Olympics.

Sources:

Statistics
Cap
No.
Player Pos Matches
played
Goals/Shots
Goals Shots %
1 Jesús Rollán GK 8
2 Josep María Abarca FP 8 0 1 0.0%
3 Sergi Pedrerol FP 8 1 13 7.7%
4 Ángel Andreo GK 8
5 Manuel Estiarte (C) FP 8 13 33 39.4%
6 Daniel Ballart FP 8 3 13 23.1%
7 Jorge Payá FP 8 1 2 50.0%
8 Iván Moro FP 8 2 15 13.3%
9 Jordi Sans FP 8 7 18 38.9%
10 Salvador Gómez FP 8 12 38 31.6%
11 Miki Oca FP 8 9 27 33.3%
12 Carles Sanz FP 8 3 11 27.3%
13 Pedro García FP 8 7 29 24.1%
Total 8 58 200 29.0%
Against 48 200 24.0%
Cap
No.
Player Pos Saves/Shots
Saves Shots %
1 Jesús Rollán GK 62 110 56.4%
4 Ángel Andreo GK
Total 62 110 56.4%

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1996 (p. 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 70, 71, 73).

1992 (Italy, 3rd title)

edit
  • Edition of men's tournament: 21st
  • Host city:   Barcelona, Spain
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion:   Italy (3rd title; 2nd place in preliminary B group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1992 (pp. 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 399, 400).

Note: Francesco Porzio and Pino Porzio are brothers.
Sources:

Statistics
Cap
No.
Player Pos Matches
played
Goals/Shots
Goals Shots %
1 Francesco Attolico GK 7
2 Marco D'Altrui FP 7 3 8 37.5%
3 Alessandro Bovo FP 7 1 8 12.5%
4 Pino Porzio FP 7 3 11 27.3%
5 Sandro Campagna FP 7 6 14 42.9%
6 Paolo Caldarella FP 7 6 14 42.9%
7 Mario Fiorillo FP 7 4 13 30.8%
8 Francesco Porzio FP 7 10 27 37.0%
9 Amedeo Pomilio FP 7 3 10 30.0%
10 Ferdinando Gandolfi FP 7 6 15 40.0%
11 Massimiliano Ferretti FP 7 14 34 41.2%
12 Carlo Silipo FP 7 3 15 20.0%
13 Gianni Averaimo GK 7
Total 8 59 169 34.9%
Against 50 172 29.1%

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1992 (pp. 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 399, 400).

1988 (Yugoslavia, 3rd title)

edit
  • Edition of men's tournament: 20th
  • Host city:   Seoul, South Korea
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion:   Yugoslavia (3rd title; 1st place in preliminary B group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1988 (pp. 593, 594, 595, 597).

Sources:

1984 (Yugoslavia, 2nd title)

edit
  • Edition of men's tournament: 19th
  • Host city:   Los Angeles, United States
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to the round-robin final pool
  • Champion:   Yugoslavia (2nd title; 1st place in preliminary A group; 1st place in final D group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1984 (pp. 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533).

Sources:

1980 (Soviet Union, 2nd title)

edit
  • Edition of men's tournament: 18th
  • Host city:   Moscow, Soviet Union
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to the round-robin final pool
  • Champion:   Soviet Union (2nd title; 1st place in preliminary A group; 1st place in final A group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1980 (pp. 497, 500, 501, 502).

Sources:

1976 (Hungary, 6th title)

edit
  • Edition of men's tournament: 17th
  • Host city:   Montreal, Canada
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to the round-robin final pool
  • Champion:   Hungary (6th title; 1st place in preliminary C group; 1st place in final E group)