Before World War II, Edi Rada placed seventh at the 1938 European and World Championships and fourth at both championships in 1939. He was second at the last Austrian Championship before the war in 1938, was champion of the so-called Ostmark after the annexation of Austria in 1939-42 and re-started his winning streak at the Austrian Championships from 1946-49.
Rada also competed in the German Championships and took the title in 1943, after finishing second in 1939 and 1942. After a five-year break, he won bronze medals at the 1948 European Championships and the St. Moritz Winter Olympics. In 1949 Rada was European Champion and third at the World Championships.