DOCTOR OF SCIENCES – DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA.

HIGH EVALUATION OF WORK DONE.
On June, 2013 the International President of the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation) EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS paid the Official Visit to the Ukraine City Lvov.
Having beautiful historic background and nice history rich with the original architectural monuments and buildings Lvov with it‘s 800 000 Citizen is a real old European City.
Coming to Lvov the President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was respectfully met by the Lvov City Official Representatives and who followed him to the best ancient Lvov City „Leopolis“ Hotel Apartments.

After the evaluation of the International work done by the President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS the Lvov Stavropigion University (started it‘s history in 1788) Academic Council presented EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS the Honorable Academic „University Science Doctor‘s“ Degree (Doctor Honoris Causa, Doctor of Sciences, DSc). And this is the Highest Academic Degree.
At the Lvov City Stavropigion University Honour Ceremony were present many High Representatives of Science, among them the Rector of Lvov Stavropigion University, Vice President the U.N.E.S.C.O. Program Centre Professor DSc. JAROSLAV KMIT (Ярослав Кмiт), the Rector Moscow University and Academic of the International Academy of Euroasia, Academic Science Academy of High Schools Ukraine, Professor VIKTOR IDZIO (Вiктор Iдзьо).

The Article will be continued.

More Information is on Global Site www.wff.lt

78 YEARS OF WORLD BODYBUILDING SPORT.

66 YEARS OF SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING.

BEGINNING.

Until now official World and Socialist bodybuilding history is presented as a mistake. The basis of the history is incorrect. It is a mistake when we use to say that bodybuilders built and developed sport of bodybuilding. No, not bodybuilders. Bodybuilders were training and participating at the competitions only. Do winning bodybuilders developed sport anyhow? No, not at all. For bodybuilders somebody else had to organize competitions, to get permeations, support, venue places, awards and to collect participants. To say more – somebody had to publicize information about contests and bodybuilders. Otherwise until now nobody would even hear anything about a single bodybuilder.

All bodybuilding organizations, federations were created not by bodybuilders. Organizations were created by functioneers and organizers. During the history of bodybuilding sport there were only few Internationally important persons - organizers. Organizers are the main persons of bodybuilding sport. We will speak shortly in this article. Anyway it will be a long story to put it down.

BEGINNING OF BODYBUILDING SPORT.

As we have spoken before we will present only short information. Each our story can be developed into a long article. For detailed information look on International Site www.wff.lt

Contemporary N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) history writer SI SWEENEY in his articles even does not mention the real first “Mr. Universe” contest. Also he writes incorrect information about the second “Mr. Universe” competition.

The same do writers who write about the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) history. These they underline that there was nothing before the WEIDER brothers JOE and BEN I.F.B.B. Commercial Company. They neglect the previous BOB HOFFMAN’s (Robert Collins Hoffman, 1898 - 1985 m.) “Bodybuilding Empire” which WEIDER brothers copied from beginning to the very end.

Many people want to rise themselves and they create unreal stories. Next followers use their creations and go on developing them.

1947. FIRST “MR. UNIVERSE” CONTEST.

The first real “Bodybuilding Empire” was created through the A.A.U. (Amateur Athletic Union)  in the USA by American BOBO HOFFMAN. In real A.A.U. united USA National Federations and it was the Ministry of Sport in the USA. They use to call BOBO HOFFMAN “the father of America Weightlifting”. A.A.U. since 1939 was organizing USA bodybuilding “Mr. America” contests. BOB HOFFMAN wanted to make bodybuilding an official recognized sport through A.A.U. and F.I.H. (Federation Internationale Halterophile). USA weightlifting though A.A.U. was a member of the International Weightlifting Federation F.I.H. Later F.I.H. name was changed to F.I.H.C. (F.I.H.C., Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturisme) when F.I.H. started ruling World’s bodybuilding sport. BOB HOFFMAN decided to do the same with bodybuilding.

In 1947 F.I.H. organized the World Weightlifting Championship and International Congress in Philadelphia (USA). Under the efforts of BOB HOFFMAN the International Congress decided to lead and control World’s bodybuilding on official level. This way for twenty years bodybuilding became officially recognized sport. It was immediately decided to organize the first in Sport’s History International Bodybuilding “Mr. Universe” contest alongside with the F.I.H. World Weightlifting Championship in Philadelphia. Then the Over All “Mr. Universe” Champion was a pupil of BOB HOFFMAN a famous America weightlifter STEVE STANKO. That was a Historical Happening and STEVE STANKO became a Historical Person.

1948. SECOND “MR. UNIVERSE’ IN LONDON.

It was a tradition of F.I.H. not to organize World Weightlifting Championship in “Olympic” years. What to do with the second F.I.H. bodybuilding „Mr. Universe“ competition? Then the idea to organize the F.I.H. bodybuilding “Mr. Universe” during the 1948 “Olympic Games” struck BOB HOFFMAN. There were real ways because F.I.H. was a member of the International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.). BOB HOFFMAN addressed British OSCAR STATE who was the President of B.A.W.L.A. (British Amateur Weight Lifting Association) to assist him. At the same time B.A.W.L.A. asked the Chairmen of the British Bodybuilding “Health and Strength” Magazine to assist them too. Through F.I.H. departments in various countries B.A.W.L.A. invited athletes to the contest in London. At the same time BOB HOFFMAN brought USA bodybuilders to compete. There were 1800 spectators at the second F.I.H. “Mr. Universe” in London. All money profit of the competition went to B.A.W.L.A.. After several preliminary rounds the finalists were ANDRE DRAPP (France) and Americans JOHN GRIMEK and STEVE REEVES. JOHN GRIMEK was proclaimed the Over All Winner of the second F.I.H. “Mr. Universe”. STEVE REEVES spoke on microphone saying that “John Grimek is the greatest bodybuilder who ever lived“.

1950. FIRST N.A.B.B.A. “MR. UNIVERSE”.

In 1950 under the efforts of the Chairmen of “Health and Strength” Magazine N.A.B.B.A. association was created in the Great Britain. As the former N.A.B.B.A. President  IVAN DUNBAR told us – N.A.B.B.A. Association was juridically registered as a „Public Club“. In 1950 N.A.B.B.A. organized the first “Mr. Universe” in London. The Over All Champion was STEVE REEVES (USA). At the same time a member of the International Olympic Committee F.I.H.C. went on organizing it’s own “Mr. Universe” contest. Comparing with N.A.B.B.A. “Mr. Universe” F.I.H.C. competitions were the official ones. For the two decades no one could confront F.I.H.C. as the official Bodybuilding Sport was under F.I.H.C. control. Even the Commercial I.F.B.B. Company of the WEIDER  brothers JOE and BEN could not imagine to think being equal to F.I.H.C..

1959. BOB HOFFMAN BRINGS BODYBUILDING TO SOCIALIST COUNTRIES.

In 1959 the USA „Father of Weightlifting“ BOB HOFFMAN through the International Weightlifting Federation F.I.H.C. first time brought bodybuilding sport to the Socialist Countries. That was the World Weightlifting Championship in Warszawa - the Capital of the Polish Democratic Republic. Then F.I.H.C. organized the traditional bodybuilding „Mr. Universe“ in Warszawa too. Over All Winner was GUY MEIRCZUK (born in 1936, France). Right after this Bodybuilding Committe of Poland was created.  First President was the „Father of Polish Bodybuilding“ STANISLAW ZAKRZEWSKI.

IN 1963 FIRST INTERNATIONAL BODYBUILDING ORGANIZATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN SOCIALIST WORLD.

In 1963 under direct influence American BOB HOFFMAN  and British OSCAR STATE and the initiative of the F.I.H.C. (F.I.H., Federation Internationale Halterophile, later F.I.H.C., Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturiste, later I.W.F., International Weightlifting Federation) in the U.S.S.R. was established first International Bodybuilding Organization (Общественный комитет атлетической гимнастики С.С.С.Р.). of the Socialist World. The U.S.S.R. Sport Ministry (Goskomsport, Госкомспорт С.С.С.Р.) appointed a known Russia weightlifter ROMAN MOROZ (Роман Мороз) as the President of this Organization. Then the U.S.S.R. was not ready to face this innovation and the new organization worked only formally. We would like to underline that the I.F.B.B. federation (International Federation of Body Builders) was created only in 1970 in Belgrade (Yugoslavia) by the General Secretary F.I.H.C. OSCAR STATE.

Real bodybuilding started in 1968 when another new Organization was created in Lithuania. Again the formal Chairman of the new Organization was the above mentioned ROMAN MOROZ. He was the man to connect bodybuilders with the Ministry of Sport of the U.S.S.R.. In real bodybuilding sport in the U.S.S.R. was governed by other people. They were Russian GENADIJ BALDIN (Геннадий Балдин) and two Lithuanians VALERIJ KORESHKOV  (Валерий Корешков) and VYTAUTAS ZUMERIS. That were the requirements of the „communist times and the communist regime“.

1966. FIRST SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION.

In 1966 a bodybuilding contest was organized in Moscow (Russia) where the winner was IGOR PETRUCHIN (Игорь Петрухин, Russia). Also in 1966 the first in the Socialist Countries International Bodybuilding competition was organized in Vilnius (Lithuania). The Winners were IGOR PETRUCHIN, RYTIS MACIJAUSKAS and KLEMENSAS ALSHAUSKAS (both Lithuania); second places won Russian GENADIJ BALDIN, Lithuanians CESLAV TAMULEVICH (Чеслав Тамулевич) and ANATOLIJ PRIC (Анатолий Приц); third places went to Russian MARK SHAFRAN and Lithuanians RIMANTAS ZUJUS and ALGIMANTAS RAMANAUSKAS.

THE STORY WILL BE CONTINUED.

Those who are interested in detailed sport history – welcome to our Internet Site. We will publish the article in parts as it will take time. FACEBOOK does not allow long texts. For detailed information read International Site www.wff.lt

OFFICIAL AND NOT OFFICIAL CZECHOSLOVAKIA.

MEETINGS AT SPORT MINISTRY.

BEGINNING. SITUATION IN SOCIALIST WORLD.

Bodybuilding sport has never been created and developed by athletes. Bodybuilding was developed by top officials and organizers. On the bodybuilding way to future organizers were building the road to sport. Bodybuilders were like kilometre signs at this road. Often organizers led bodybuilding wrong way. Today problems of bodybuilding are evident and guilty persons are known very well.

Contemporary bodybuilding does not appear as it is. Only few persons dared to act when bodybuilding was prohibited in Socialist Countries. Being afraid of prosecution nearly all bodybuilders left the sport.

We will speak about bodybuilding in Czechoslovakian SSR – they influenced all Socialist Countries. Now after fifty years we look upon our relations with Czechoslovaks from another angle.

Due to political reasons bodybuilding was prohibited in Socialist World in 1973. Socialist States started to prosecute bodybuilders. After 1968 revolution in Czechoslovakia their Government was lojal to bodybuilders. At the same time bodybuilders in other Socialist Countries suffered much. Everybody envied the Czechoslovaks. There is no another person who was and still is close to Czechoslovak bodybuilding so much as DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS.

Activities of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS were supported only by the leader of bodybuilding in Estonian SSR INNAR MARDO (Иннар Мардо, 1945 – 2002) and creators of famous „Vilnius Bodybuilding School“ («Вильнюсская школа культуризма») CESLAV TAMULEVIC (Чеслав Тамулевич) and VITALIJ ASOVSKIJ (Виталий Асовский). Today we are proud that we respected both of them in time – at the Parliament Republic Lithuania both received „International Honour Silver Medals“ («Международной Серебрянной Медалью Почёта», „Tarptautinis Garbės Sidabro Medalis“).

During the prohibition of bodybuilding only few officially permitted not regular contests were held in Tallinn (Estonian SSR). That was the International „Georg Tenno Memorial“ („Georgo Tenno memorialas“, «Мемориал Георга Тенно», 1971 – 2024). Also at the same time several underground and not officially permitted contests were organized in Lithuanian SSR. It lasted until in 1978 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS dared to write bodybuilding defending petition and brought it to Headquaretrs of the Central Committee of the U.S.S.R. Communist Party in Moscow.

This way we got political permittion to organize the International „Amber Prix“ („Gintarinis prizas“, «Янтарный приз»  1968 - 2025) in Klaipeda (Lithuania SSR) in 1978.

Being afraid of prosecution all orther U.S.S.R. bodybuilding organizers did nothing. After defeat at 1974 „Georg Tenno Memorial“ best R.S.F.S.R. bodybuilder VLADIMIR DUBININ (Владимир Дубинин) isolated himself and left bodybuilding for thirteen years. Only in 1980 representing their gyms Russians led by VLADIMIR SUBOV (Владимир Шубов, Moscow) and EUGENE KOLTUN (Евгений Колтун, Tiumen) started particiapting at bodybuilding contests in Baltic Countries.

The Article will be continued. Follow International Page www.wff.lt

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THE 37TH WFF-WBBF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IS COMING TO NIDA

The international events held in Klaipėda on May 1–2, 2026, became an important preparation stage for the upcoming 37th WFF-WBBF World Amateur and Professional Championship.

During the two-day competition, an impressive 27-hour sports marathon took place, bringing together around 300 athletes. Their performances were evaluated by 22 international-category judges from various countries around the world.

The biggest event of the year will take place in Nida on October 23–25, 2026. Due to the exceptionally high number of participants, the World Championship will, for the first time in the federation’s history, last three full days. Athletes and spectators can expect new competition categories, an even broader international program, and world-class bodybuilding and fitness performances.

As part of the preparations for the World Championship, an international seminar for coaches and judges will also be organized in Klaipėda on September 27, 2026.

Nida 2026 – The World Elite of Bodybuilding and Fitness Meets in Lithuania

It is worth remembering that the now highly popular “Wing Fitness” category was introduced by the World WFF-WBBF Federation back in 2014. The category was first presented by federation professional Jamila Vanessa Toledo from Argentina.

The upcoming World Championship in Nida promises to become one of the most significant international sports events in Lithuania, bringing together the strongest bodybuilding and fitness athletes from around the globe.

REGISTRATION to seminar and championship is open on www.worldfitness.lt

More information you can get on www.wff.lt

WORLD FITNESS FEDERATION
(W.F.F. - International)
(W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Since 1968, 141 Country Members, 60 Annual International Events World Wide)
HISTORIC "AMBER PRIX INTERNATIONAL"
OVER ALL WINNERS
(1967 - 2026)

MEN
Date, Name, Country
2026 GRAZVYDAS NARUSEVICIUS, Lithuania

2025 SZYMON LUBECKI , Poland

2024 RAHUL JOSHI, India

2023 ALEKSEJ LAPSHIN, Estonia

2022 VASILIJ BESPALENKO, Ukraine

2021 ARTUR KAMIENIAK, Poland

2020 MAROS KANASZ, Slovakia

2019 GOLAP RABHA,  India

2018 ALEKSANDR SACHAROV, Uzbekistan

2017 MAROS KANASZ, Slovakia
2016 JORG FUCHS, Germany
2015 AHMADI ARASH, Iran
2014 ANDREJ RUMIANCEV, Estonia
2013 ANDRZEJ BRZEZINSKI, Poland
2012 PIR SARANDIB MEHDI, Iran
2011 NAFTEJ SINGH, India
2010 DHARMENDER SINGH, India
2009 ALEKSANDR SCIOGOLEV, Russia
2008 DARIUS BUKSNAITIS, Lithuania
2007 ALEKSANDR SEVCOV, Estonia
2006 ALEXANDR LIUBOMIROV, Latvia
2005 IVAN SERGEJEV, Russia
2004 ALEKSANDR MASLOVSKIJ, Latvia
2003 AIVARS VISOCKIS, Latvia
2002 RADIK MANAFOV, Lithuania
2001 ALEKSANDR MASLOVSKIJ, Latvia
2000 RADIK MANAFOV, Lithuania
1999 DARIUS BUKSNAITIS, Lithuania
1998 RICARDAS GURSKAS, Lithuania
1997 ROLANDAS POCIUS, Lithuania
1996 ALGIRDAS KILCIAUSKAS, Lithuania
1995 SERGEJ OGORODNIKOV, Russia
1994 ALGIRDAS KILCIAUSKAS, Lithuania
1991 OLEGAS ZURAS, Lithuania
1990 OLEGAS ZURAS, Lithuania
1989 VIKTORAS JUCYS, Lithuania
1988 VIKTORAS JUCYS, Lithuania
1987 VIKTORAS JUCYS, Lithuania
1986 ROLANDAS BUCINSKAS, Lithuania
1985 ALGIRDAS IVANAUSKAS, Lithuania
1984 VINCAS DUBICKAS, Lithuania
1983 VINCAS DUBICKAS, Lithuania
1982 JEVGENIJ GORELIK, Lithuania
1981 SAULIUS MISEVICIUS, Lithuania
1980 VLADAS KAPCEVICIUS, Lithuania
1979 OLEV ANNUS, Estonia
1978 OLEV ANNUS, Estonia
1977 STASYS CUKANOVAS, Lithuania
1976 RISARDAS KRINICKIS, Lithuania
1975 RISARDAS KRINICKIS, Lithuania
1974 VYTAUTAS ZENKEVICIUS, Lithuania

1970 ANTANAS MINEIKIS, Lithuania
1969 ANTANAS MINEIKIS, Lithuania
1968 LEONAS PIVORIUNAS, Lithuania

1967 KLEMENSAS ALSAUSKAS, Lithuania.

International Secretary UGNE RAUDYTE - DAUBARIENE

INFORMATION.
More detailed information on the Global International Site www.wff.lt, see forum topics.

CONTEST REGISTRATION: www.worldfitness.lt