István Lichteneckert started his fencing career at the age of 18, during his last high school year in Subotica. In 1910, he moved to Budapest to start his medical studies and he joined the MAC. In 1912 Lichteneckert had several great victories, but World War I interrupted his sporting career and during the hostilities he was severely wounded. He would not resume his fencing career until 1920.
Lichteneckert worked as chief medical officer at the Rokus Hospital, but soon became regarded as one of the best foil fencers in Hungary. He won the national foil title in 1923, and was a member of the foil team that won the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics the following year. Lichteneckert was forced to retire due to ill health, and he died at the age of 37 from lung complications as a result of the injuries received during the War.