Living the Moment & Learning from Pressure – Vince Vigvári on Penalties, World Titles & the Champions League (Part 2)

In Part 2 of the conversation with Vince Vigvári, Hungarian
national team player and CN Barceloneta professional, we go deep
into the mental side of elite performance, dealing with penalty
pressure at the Olympic Games, World Championship success and the
challenges of staying present while planning the future. Vince
openly reflects on missing a decisive penalty at the Olympic bronze
medal match and explains why he still sees it as a moment of
courage, execution and trust rather than fear. He shares why a
clear plan and full commitment matter more than the final outcome —
and how goalkeepers can sometimes simply be better in that moment.
We compare the Olympic Games and the World Championships,
especially his experiences at the 2023 World Championships in
Fukuoka, which marked his first senior world tournament. Vince
talks about scoring in the semifinal against Spain, limited playing
minutes, and how that goal gave him the confidence that he truly
belongs at the world level. Another key topic is the hosting of
major tournaments outside Europe. Vince explains the two-sided
challenge: developing the sport globally while still keeping its
strong European fan base connected. We discuss Asia, Paris,
Chengdu, Podgorica and Singapore as event locations. A special
highlight is his historic 2023 summer, where Hungary won both the
Junior World Championship and the Senior World Championship within
one month — a rare double success that marked his biggest personal
breakthrough so far. We also talk about his current Champions
League campaign with CN Barceloneta, including: – The crucial match
against Oradea – The ambition to reach the Final Four – Why the
Final Four comes down to three perfect days – Physical vs. mental
freshness at the highest level Finally, Vince shares his advice for
young players: – Enjoy the game first – Respect yourself and your
sport – Work harder than anyone else – Trust yourself when the
pressure comes Topics of this episode (Part 2): – Olympic penalty
pressure – Execution vs. outcome – World Championships vs. Olympic
Games – Fukuoka 2023 semifinal goal – Hosting tournaments outside
Europe – Junior & Senior World Championship double title –
Champions League mindset with Barceloneta – Final Four pressure –
Living in the present vs. planning the future – Advice for young
athletes This episode is a must-listen for young players, coaches
and elite sport fans worldwide who want to understand how mental
strength, pressure and confidence shape careers at the very top of
international water polo. More about the podcast:
https://www.schulzekopp.de