Ljubomir Vračarević

Infobox Person
name= Ljubomir Vračarević

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birth_date= Birth date and age|1947|5|6|mf=y
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birth_place= Varaždin, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
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occupation=Aikido
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Ljubomir Vračarević, is a Serbian martial artist and founder of Real Aikido.

In 1971 he obtained shodan rank.During his first training in Japan in 1978 he stayed in the Aikikai Hombu dojo, with Kisshomaru Ueshiba, the son of the founder of aikido Morihei Ueshiba.Fact|date=July 2007 Taking into consideration the knowledge and prestige of Japanese masters, Ljubomir was aspiring towards his style based on construction, mentality and tradition. His work in the military and police force during the seventiesFact|date=July 2007 inspired him to start perfecting the practical aspect of aikido. This would allow him to increase the use of effective techniques in real situations.

During his second stay in Tokyo in 1993 at Yoshinkan (the school of Gozo Shioda), his way of thinking was confirmed. Even though he was working in his own style, by the end of his stay he received great honor. He got to meet great Shioda, who rarely received visitors because of his age. Shioda honored him with a diploma that he personally signed.Fact|date=July 2007

Vracarevic's international reputation allowed receipt of his methods through programs for special training of military, police and bodyguards. In the past twenty years he has instructed security and bodyguards for the Presidents of Zimbabwe, Libya, Macedonia, Republic of Serbia and Slovenia.Fact|date=July 2007 So far in his career, Vračarević has held more than 150 seminars worldwide. Clubs of Real Aikido were host to more than 120,000 students. [ [http://www.wcra.co.yu/srpskisamuraj.html JAT Review article, 2001 (Yugoslav Airlines Magazine) (hosted on www.wcra.co.yu)) ] ]

His special area of teaching is the Real Aikido school for kids. He works with kids aged 5 to 12 through a program called “With play to Master”, which is adjusted to children's physical and mental needs. Real Aikido is included in Serbian elementary school curriculum from 2005 as elective subject [ [http://www.srbija.sr.gov.yu/vesti/vest.php?id=18578&q=%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%B8+%D0%B0%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%BE Serbian government official site; information on inclusion of Real Aikido in school curriculum (Serbian)] ] .

Vračarević is author of 12 books and videos dealing with Real Aikido and self-defense. The books are written in Serbian, while some of them were translated to Russian or English. These include: “Defense From Knife”, “Aikido-Judo”, “Defense Without Fear” (self-defense for women), “I Was Training The Bodyguards”, ”Real Aikido”, “From Beginner to Master”, “Licence for Trainer”, and “Knife, Gun, Stick Techniques”. [ [http://vbs.nbs.bg.ac.yu/scripts/cobiss?ukaz=DISP&id=0004582197334732&rec=8&sid=4 National Library of Serbia, book index] ]

There are many domestic and international awards that Vračarević has received in his career. He has Shodan in judo and jujutsu.Fact|date=July 2007 He is technical director of Russian Real Aikido Federation, member of Euro-Asian Committee Kyokushinkai,Fact|date=July 2007 honour president of Wushu Federation area Shenyang-China,Fact|date=July 2007 president of the Sports Commission for Royal National Centre (Yugoslavia),Fact|date=July 2007 honour member of MAA (international associasion of combat skills with headquarters in Germany), [ [http://www.maa-i.com/engl/ MAA associated member list] ] founder and president of World Centre of Real Aikido. [ [http://www.wcra.co.yu World Center of Real Aikido Official Site] ]

Vračarević is an instructor in IBSSA (International Bodyguard & Security Association) [ [http://www.ibssa.org/index.php?topic_id=16 List of IBSSA Official Training Centers] ] . He is also a college professor for sport trainers in Belgrade. He is a regular member of Russian Science Academy of Earth,Fact|date=July 2007 and regular member of International Science Academy for National Security Problems.Fact|date=July 2007

His biggest honor was received from the United States in August of 2002. On the proposal of the United States Martial Arts Association, Ljubomir Vracarevic has been elected to the Hall of Fame, along with the biggest names of the world sport for the highest rank – Grandmaster, black belt 10th dan, Sōke. [ [http://www.wcra.co.yu/10dan.html World Center of Real Aikido Official Site, 10th DAN Diploma] ]

He is also honour General of USSR/Russian Army and trained their special forces (called Specnaz or Spetsnaz).Fact|date=July 2007

Vracarevic had small roles in movies "Kako je propao rokenrol" ("Devastation of Rock'n'roll"), where he played ninja instructor and "Sejtanov ratnik" ("Devil's warrior") in which he appeared as himself.

References

External links

* [http://www.wcra.co.yu/biografija.html Ljubomir Vracarevic Biography in Serbian]
* [http://www.eumartialartshalloffame.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=43 Ljubomir Vracarevic Biography in Serbian and in English]