ABSTRACT
As we are often reminded, individuals make history. However, any attempt to single out the role of a particular individual presents a major challenge and involves the interdependency between actors and conjunctures of agents and power. This essay is no exception to the rule in that it sets out to investigate the contribution of Todor Yonchev to modern physical education and sport in Bulgaria. What follows from this aim are two methodological considerations: first, an analysis has to account for historical settings in which individuals act and has to examine their deeds both as formed by wider socio-cultural influences and as forming these influences; second, there is a need for clarity when choosing a figure epitomizing a society's striving towards a new identity and a place in the world system. Bulgarian history, as indeed the history of most nations, is not short of examples of great humanitarians and their moral exploits and accomplishments. Three main criteria for assessing the contribution of Todor Yonchev to Bulgarian physical culture have been employed: (1) the originality and universality of his conceptual grounding; (2) the relationship between his vision and implementation; and (3) his relevance to present-day sport.
