Csaba Szentpétery

Csaba Szentpétery (born 28 July 1968) is a Hungarian retired ice dancer. With his partner, Regina Woodward, he competed in the ice dance event at the 1992 Winter Olympics. They were the first mixed-citizenship team to compete where one member was not a defector awaiting citizenship in a new country. He now works in banking.

Career

Early career Szentpétery was born in Budapest and began skating at age 6 because his day care center taught ice skating; at the time, Hungary only had one covered ice rink. He initially trained in single skating, but jumping caused painful developmental problems in his foot, and in 1982, at age 13, he was told to take two years away from skating to allow for healing. Instead, his coach suggested he began ice dance, which because of its lack of jumps and lower lifts than those found in pair skating, would put less pressure on his foot. 8th at the 1987 World Junior Championships, 21st at the 1988 World Championships, 15th at the 1989 European Championships, and 17th at the 1989 World Championships. They decided to compete for Hungary as US officials "were not enthusiastic" about the team being of mixed nationalities, and because their coach was better-connected in Hungary.

The Hungarian federation made a rule change to allow them to compete at the Hungarian Championships in 1990 without Woodward yet having citizenship. The pair placed second.

The next season, the pair competed at the 1990 Skate America. Skating magazine, in its review of the competition, praised their free dance for being "unique"; it portrayed a couple's wedding day. They placed 14th at the 1991 European Championships. Afterward, they were 14th at the 1992 World Championships.

Post-competitive career Szentpétery became a judge. He began working in banking and is now the deputy CEO of Budapest Bank.