Two years ago, David Tatrai emerged from the Hungarian water polo nursery to make the national junior men’s national team for the World Aquatics U20 Championships at Otopeni, Romania. It was to catapult him to greater heights in the discipline.

Since then, he has played in the European Championships and the World Aquatics Championships, but missed selection for the Paris Olympic Games.

Earlier this month, with so many of the top Hungarian players from the last decade having retired post-Paris, he made his mark at the World Aquatics World Cup Division One series back in the Otopeni pool he knows so well.

“I started swimming at a very young age, and I found it a little bit boring, so I wanted to try myself at a more exciting sport,” which led him to water polo.

He wants to make it a family affair and take the relationship to the top echelon. “My brother (Tamas Tatrai) also plays water polo and our dream is to play together in the national team,” Tatrai said.

Image Source: David Tatrai (HUN)/David Tatrai/World Aquatics

Teamwork is what drives the youngster and he recognises that without it, he can’t reach the top in the sport.

“I've always loved the sport and the most important part for me was to enjoy myself with my friends. Since I've been playing at a higher level, I'm striving to do the same and that's what drives my career forward.”

Those junior world championships in June 2023 gave him a glimpse of what could be and he took his chances when he saw them.

In the first match against Serbia, he scored a vital shootout goal for the 17-15 victory.

He then scored a pair against United States of America from the right side of the pool in the first quarter.

Against Greece, it was another two goals, both on extra from the right side for 16-9.

In the quarterfinals, Hungary played Italy and he scored a penalty goal in the 9-5 success.

Come the semifinals, it was another face-off with USA and Tatrai starred with five goals from five shots, including a superb drive to centre forward, gaining him three goals in the 6-2 advantage. He scored the eighth and 12th goals as Hungary won 13-9.

In the final, there was no need for a shootout, Hungary winning 12-7. Tatrai scored a hat-trick in the second half, including an eight-metre rocket, followed by his 13th goal (excluding the shootout strike) on counter.

He said this brought him to the attention of the national senior coach.

“I think they've noticed that I've developed a special playing relationship with my team-mates and that’s what's needed in the national team,” he said.

He gained the chance at the European Championships and the World Aquatics Championships the following month where exposure to the top level helped shape his early senior career. Hungary was fourth in Belgrade and a disappointing seventh in Doha, only six months after winning gold in Fukuoka.

He knows what it is like bench-sitting and will make sure that with every session he will earn the respect and confidence of his coaches to get more water time.

Talking about his junior career, he said: “It had its ups and downs, but that's what makes sport beautiful.”

The transition to the senior ranks from juniors is huge for most players and it is no different for Tatrai.

“It is a completely new level, but I am working every day to be able to perform there.”

And the kudos for playing in the national team? How does that feel? “I get goosebumps every time.”

When did you first think you were good enough to play for Hungary?

“At the European Championships in Zagreb.”

Image Source: David Tatrai (HUN)/David Tatrai/World Aquatics

What will you do to make sure you are at the World Cup finals series and World Aquatics Championships this year?

“I try to be a little better every day.”

Tatrai plays in the Hungarian League with BVSC, coached by legend Daniel Varga.

“I'm learning a lot from him. His style was a lot like mine and I'm getting better with his personal experience.”

Looking at the various coaches he has had in recent years, Tatrai said:

“All my coaches are great professionals with different styles. I think I'm lucky as a player to be able to work with such coaches and I try to get all the knowledge from them to become a better version of myself.”

Tatrai is steadily improving, from getting ejected on three fouls in one match in Otopeni this month, scoring singles in several matches and then throwing three goals in the 20-10 semifinal win over Greece. He completed the tournament with the first Hungarian goal in the final, lost to Spain 15-9.

Small steps, but Tatrai joins a big group from that Otopeni junior team now filling the senior team, hoping to generate multiple medals, starting with the World Aquatics World Cup finals series in Kotor, Montenegro this April.