Sensei Ilona began training in Goju-Ryu Karate at the age of 14 in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Initially focusing on sports karate, she actively participated in competitions (Kata & Kumite) and completed referee training. In 1995, she was graded 1st Dan.

While maintaining her passion for Goju Ryu, Sensei Ilona has also practiced other martial
arts such as Hakkoryu JuJutsu and Yoseikan Budo in which she was graded 1st Dan and
2nd Kyu, respectively.

In 2009, Sensei Ilona has moved to Vienna, Austria, where she joined the Dojo of Sensei
Raoul Vogel and began training Traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate. She co-teaches
advanced classes at Vienna Dojo and serves as a regular instructor at joint Gasshukus
between TOGKF Austria and TOGKF Slovakia. In June 2020, Sensei Ilona was graded 5th
Dan under the guidance of Sensei Bakkies Laubscher.