FERENC MARKI'S LAST BOUT

The sport world of the Nation of Hungary has become poorer again with the passing of one of the most unforgettable individuals. On May 26 in the 96th year of his life, Ferenc Marki, legend of the fencing life in Szeged, passed away. He served his sport for over half a century. Alas the last bout could not be won.

He was born in November 7, 1912 into an old, deep rooted family in a historical part of Szeged. His father died as a soldier fighting in World War I. The 14 year old orphan decided on a career in the army. He did so well in his studies, that later he was one of a few chosen to attend the Toldi Miklos Sport and Fencing Master Teaching Academy. Here he was taught by such famous fencing masters as Alfred Gellert and Laszlo Borsodi.

In 1945 he returned to his hometown and joined the SZTK fencing Club. His fencing career lasted until 1956. Among his pupils were Daniel Magay, World Champion (1954 Luxemburg saber team) and Olympic Champion (1956 Melbourne Sabre Team). Szabolcs (Thomas) Orley, Junior World Champion (1954 Cremona Sabre Individual), Katalin Juhasz, Olympic Champion (1964 Women's Foil Team) World Champion (1959, 1962, 1967 Women's Foil Team). His name was known around the world. During the time the Russian fencers came to Hungary to learn, he was teaching saber to Csereposzkij, Rilszky and Tischler.

According to his beloved pupil Daniel Magay he was the best fencing master of his time. Just to give credit to the source: In the 1955 international competition finals Daniel Magay beat Karpathy 5:0. At the end of the bout, Maestro Gellert congratulated Maestro Marki: "I can proudly say that I was your fencing master at one time." Orley, after he won the Junior World Championship, sent a postcard: "I am sending my first postcard to my beloved fencing master. Szabolcs, Cremona April 16 1954.” Another postcard: "Dear Feri, Thank you for this victory. This was due solely to you. Greetings, Dani.”

This exceptional fencing master left the land of his ancestors and later accepted Daniel Magay's invitation to San Francisco, where he joined the faculty of two colleges as master of fencing. He continued teaching until the age of 75. A few years ago he moved to Boulder, Colorado. In his last days he became teary eyed remembering Kossuth Lajos Street, the Szegedi Postas Club dilapidated narrow fencing salle with the coal burning oven and with the shower which has never ever seen warm water. Still, the victories came! Scintillating, striking, brilliant, unforgettable!


Source: http://www.delmagyar.hu/sport/marki_ferenc_utolso_asszoja/2060176/
Republished at: http://www.szegedvivas.hu/