Ilona Szikora

Ilona Szikora’s career as a top athlete began when she married to Dezső Józsa, a Hungarian discus thrower, at the age of 29. Szikora had also been involved in sports before that; she swam, rowed, and played tennis, but her husband persuaded her to take up discus throwing, as he believed her abilities were ideal for this sport. She achieved a result of over 20 metres on her first attempt, and a year later she was already second in the Hungarian championship, before becoming the first female Hungarian discus thrower to throw over 40 metres. After that she improved the Hungarian record eight more times in the next six years.

Between 1950 and 1953 Szikora won four discus throw championships in a row and was also a part of four team championships. Throughout her career she was coached by her husband and competed for Testvériség, Csepeli MTK, Csepeli Vasas, Bástya SE, and Bp. Építők.

Between 1948 and 1954 Szikora competed for the Hungarian national team nineteen times. In 1952 she participated at the Helsinki Olympics where she finished eighth. In 1954 she achieved 16th place at the European Championships in Bern.

After the end of her sports career, she actively participated in the Hungarian animal protection movement.

Personal Best: DT – 48.64 (1954).