GET TO KNOW RESPECTFUL INTERNATIONAL SPORT PERSONS. “AMBER PRIX” HISTORICAL INSPIRERS, SUPPORTERS AND PATRONS.

Throughout six decades of the history of the “Amber Prix” tournament, this prestigious event has been supported by prominent politicians, sports organizers, bodybuilding pioneers, patrons, and public figures from many countries around the world. Their contribution significantly influenced the development of Lithuanian bodybuilding and the strengthening of the international WFF-WBBF movement.

Professor Alfred Gerstl

Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Austria. From 2006 to 2009, he served as patron of the WFF-WBBF World Championships. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the “Amber Prix,” he presented for the people of Klaipeda a collection of original photographs of Arnold Schwarzenegger from that period, as well as a documentary film about the legendary athlete and actor. The photographs and the film were showcased in Klaipeda during the competition. In 2009, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Robert Fico

Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic. From 2011 to 2012, he acted as patron of the WFF-WBBF World Championships. In 2012, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Jerzy Gotowski

Patron and organizer of the 2008 World Championship, laureate of the Order of Saint Stanislaw. In 2009, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Štefan Hrčka

Patron and organizer of the World Championships from 2010 to 2014. In 2011, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Alexander Nevsky

Patron, Hollywood actor and film director, three-time absolute WFF-WBBF “Universe” champion. In 2011 awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Bob Hoffman

Robert Collins Hoffman (1898–1985) was one of the founders of official world bodybuilding. Through his efforts, from 1947 to 1969 world bodybuilding was supervised by the International Weightlifting Federation, a member organization of the International Olympic Committee. Known as the “Father of World Weightlifting,” he created a true “muscle empire” and trained numerous Olympic champions.

Oscar State

Oscar State (1911–1984) served as Secretary General of the International Weightlifting Federation F.I.H.C. (now I.W.F.) from 1960 to 1974. In 1970, he contributed to the establishment of the international IFBB federation and helped it gain membership in the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).

Oscar Heidenstam

Oscar Heidenstam (1911–1991), long-time president of the NABBA Association, opened the way in 1991 for Lithuanian bodybuilders to become members of the international organization. He also influenced NABBA to become one of the first international sports organizations to recognize Lithuania’s independence and the National Olympic Committee of Lithuania.

Ben Weider

Benjamin Weider (1923–2008) was one of the founders of the IFBB commercial company (1946) and the IFBB sport organization (1970). From 1970, he served as President of the International IFBB Federation and strongly influenced the development of bodybuilding in socialist countries.

Brone Dubar

Brone “Brownie” Dubar (Daubaraite, 1906–1986) was a Lithuanian-American athlete, gymnast, and one of the most prominent early pioneers of physical culture and fitness. She is widely regarded as the world’s first female fitness athlete. After emigrating from Lithuania to the United States in 1912, Brone Dubar soon became internationally known for her exceptional acrobatic and gymnastic performances. She toured extensively, demonstrating her athletic abilities in many countries and participating in numerous sports events. Her performances and promotion of an active lifestyle were far ahead of their time and became an inspiration for future generations of athletes. An important part of Brone Dubar’s legacy is also connected to the development of bodybuilding in Lithuania. During the years when bodybuilding was banned or strictly restricted in socialist countries, she supported the international bodybuilding contest “Amber Prix,” maintained contact with its organizers, and sent American sports literature and training materials. In this way, she contributed to the spread of modern physical culture and fitness ideas in Lithuania. Today, Brone “Brownie” Dubar is remembered as a pioneer of sport and fitness whose achievements helped pave the way for women in fitness and left a lasting mark on international sports history.

Georg Tenno

(1911–1967) was one of the pioneers of bodybuilding in the Soviet Union. An officer of the Soviet Army, he was accused of espionage in 1948 and sentenced to imprisonment in labor camps. He shared a prison cell with future Nobel Prize laureate Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. During his imprisonment, Georg Tenno attempted escape five times. In his work The Gulag Archipelago, Solzhenitsyn dedicated the chapter “The Convicted Escapist” to him. In 1968, Georg Tenno’s book Athleticism was published.

Vojtech Fiala

Vojtech Fiala was the president of the National Federation of Bodybuilding of the Czechoslovak SSR. Through his personal connections, in 1975 he managed to secure government approval for athletes to travel to the West and compete in the IFBB European Championships. That year, Petr Stach won the overall European championship title. This victory became a significant achievement for socialist bodybuilding, which at the time was subjected to political pressure and persecution by the authorities. For many years afterward, Czechoslovak bodybuilders continued to compete in the West, while athletes from other socialist countries could hardly even dream of such an opportunity. In 1979, Vojtech Fiala initiated friendly competitions between Soviet and Czechoslovak bodybuilders: the Czechoslovaks were invited to compete in the “Amber Prix” Tournament, while Soviet athletes took part in the Czechoslovak National Championships.

Inar Mardo

1945-2002). Founder and organizer of the international “Georg Tenno Memorial” tournaments since 1970. One of the most respected leaders of Estonian bodybuilding, he consistently supported the organizers of the “Amber Prize” tournament.

Martin Kuta

Patron and organizer of the WFF Professional Fitness World Championships at Prague’s Žofín Palace from 2006 to 2009. In 2008, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Rišardas Krinickis

(1949-2015). One of the leaders of the State Control Committee of the Republic of Lithuania. From 1996 to 2006, he made a significant contribution to organizing international WFF-WBBF events in Lithuania. Two-time absolute champion of the “Amber Prize” tournament. Awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Kęstutis Virketis

Long-time Director of the Legal Department of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania. Participant and category winner of the 1974 “Amber Prize” tournament. In 2024, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Česlav Tamulevic

(1945-2023). Founder and coach of the unique “Vilnius Bodybuilding School,” which prepared athletes for the “Amber Prize” tournament. In 2020, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Vitalij Asovskij

(1952-2026). Poet and playwright. After the illness of Česlavas Tamulevičius, he took over the leadership of the “Vilnius Bodybuilding School.” In 2020, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation at the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania.

Valerij Koreskov

Journalist and photographer, one of the pioneers of bodybuilding in the Soviet Union. Awarded the international John Grimek Prize and a UNESCO honorary certificate. In 2018, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation at the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania.

Professor Vasiliy Bespalenko

Professor at four universities, multiple WFF-WBBF World and European champion. In 2023, he became the absolute champion of the “Amber Prize” tournament. In 2022, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt

“AMBER PRIX” – WHAT IS IT? HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE.

For more than six decades, the name “Amber Prix” has resonated throughout the world. What is it? Once a traditional bodybuilding tournament, today it has grown into a broad movement promoting wellness, fitness, and professional sport. Thanks to the activities of the international WFF-WBBF Federation, the “Amber Prix” has become a significant international sporting phenomenon.

During the period when bodybuilding was banned in the Soviet Union, the “Amber Prix” competition became the unofficial USSR Bodybuilding Championship, later recognized as such by the USSR Ministry of Sports. At that time, for many athletes from across the Soviet Union, this tournament effectively served as both the World and European Championship. The highest sporting achievements were associated with victories and prize-winning places at the “Amber Prix” competition.

In his efforts to rehabilitate bodybuilding, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras spent years corresponding with leaders of the USSR Weightlifting Federation, the central Soviet sports press, and meeting with the Minister of Sports of the Lithuanian SSR, Zigmas Motiekaitis. Eventually, he decided to prepare and submit an official petition defending bodybuilding to the highest political authorities in Moscow. At that time, not a single well-known bodybuilding organizer, coach, or athlete supported this initiative — on the contrary, most advised him to abandon the idea.

It was through the efforts of Dr. Edmundas Daubaras that permission was granted to organize the “Amber Prix” tournament in Klaipėda. Later, under the leadership of Romanas Kalinauskas, Kaunas bodybuilders began organizing the traditional “Komsomol Cup” competitions. These initiatives continued until the collapse of the Soviet Union.

After Lithuania restored its independence, the “Amber Prix” tournament continuously received support from the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. On the occasion of the tournament’s 40th anniversary, the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania adopted a decision to provide state funding for the event through a separate line in the national budget.

Today, the “Amber Prix” is not only a part of sports history, but also an international symbol of bodybuilding and wellness that promotes Lithuania throughout the world. Throughout the history of the “Amber Prix” tournament, athletes from various countries around the world have participated, representing all continents. Exceptional records were also achieved: in 1998, as many as 91 city teams participated in the “Amber Prix” tournament; in 2008, athletes from 32 countries competed in the event held in Klaipėda; and in 2026, around 300 athletes took part in the tournament.

More information about these historical events and the activities of the international federation can be found on the official website: www.wff.lt

KLAIPĖDA’S TRADITION CONTINUED. The “Amber Prix” Tournament, 1969–1970.

In 1969, a strong wave of sporting enthusiasm swept across Lithuania, including the rapidly growing sport of bodybuilding. Public interest in this new athletic discipline was remarkable. Bodybuilding competitions were staged at prestigious venues such as the Vingis Park stage in Vilnius and the Kaunas Sports Hall, attracting significant public attention. The events were covered extensively by the press and even broadcast on national television.

The results of the earliest bodybuilding tournaments, however, should be viewed with some reservation. Judged by modern bodybuilding standards, the outcomes would likely have been very different. At the time, bodybuilding competitions always included a strength component, which encouraged competitors to invite weightlifters to participate. As a result, many early champions owed their victories primarily to outstanding performances in strength exercises rather than to muscular development or physique aesthetics.

This became particularly evident during the 1970 competition held in Kaliningrad (RSFSR), where Klaipėda weightlifters Algis Eidukas and Alfonsas Mėcius outperformed nearly all the bodybuilders and emerged victorious. Among the champions, only Antanas Mineikis could be considered a true bodybuilder in the modern sense, distinguished both by his impressive muscular physique and strong results in the strength events.

The 1969 “Amber Prix” tournament was held at the Palace of Culture of the Klaipėda Construction Trust. In keeping with tradition, the competition consisted of two parts: athletes first competed in strength exercises and later demonstrated their physiques.

The event featured musical accompaniment by the popular jazz ensemble “Žėrutis.” On this occasion, former rower and member of Klaipėda’s amateur circus group Antanas Mineikis not only won his height category but also captured the overall champion title. In his category, he defeated the favorite and reigning 1968 champion Leonas Pivoriūnas.

In the second height category, victory went to Klaipėda heavyweight athlete Alfonsas Mėčius, while the first category was won by Kaunas representative Giršas Langevičius. Prize-winning places were also secured by Klaipėda athletes Kestutis Rumsas, Petras Lenkauskas, Jonas Vaiciulis, and Bronius Kilinskas.

By 1970, the “Amber Prix” tournament attracted somewhat less attention, as Lithuania was hosting several other international bodybuilding events, while the national team celebrated a successful appearance at competitions in the Polish People’s Republic. The winners of the fourth “Amber Prix” tournament categories were Antanas Mineikis, Pranas Cesnulevicius, and Juras Janciauskas. The latter two, together with the 1968 overall “Amber Prix” champions Valdas Aliubavicius and Leonas Pivoriunas, represented the Vilnius sports club “Viktorija,” which had already gained recognition as the center of the emerging “Vilnius School of Bodybuilding.”

The school was led by the talented coach Ceslav Tamulevic (1945–2023), whose influence played an important role in the development of Lithuanian bodybuilding.

In 1970, Antanas Mineikis was declared the overall winner of the “Amber Prix” tournament. Among the prize winners were also Klaipeda athletes Nikolaj Caika, Kestutis Rumsas, and Genadij Sevelkov.

Following the 1970 tournament, Klaipeda organizer Antanas Jonuskutis withdrew from organizational activities. Until bodybuilding was officially banned in the Soviet Union and other socialist countries in 1973, the “Amber Prix” tournament was no longer continued.

Nevertheless, the popularity of bodybuilding continued to grow. In 1971 and 1972, two “USSR Bodybuilding Championships” were organized within the territory of the RSFSR. Lithuanian athletes participated in both events, although no representatives from Klaipėda took part. In 1971, Estonian athletes established the international tournament Georg Tenno Memorial, which became one of the most prominent traditions in Baltic bodybuilding.

More information is on International Site www.wff.lt

WFF-WBBF LEADS THE WAY IN SPORTS INNOVATION. Mini-Trampolines – A New Sport for Everyone.

The World WFF-WBBF Federation, which began its activities in 1968, currently unites athletes and organizations from 141 countries around the world. Throughout its long history, the Federation has become one of the pioneers of international sports innovation, continuously developing new, attractive, and accessible forms of physical activity for people of different ages and backgrounds.

The history of WFF-WBBF is rich in significant sporting innovations. The Federation has contributed to the development of Classic Bodybuilding, the children's “Fit-Kids” program, the Fitness Model category, and many other sporting disciplines. In recent years, the program of international competitions has been expanded to include such innovative disciplines as Aerial Acrobatics Fitness, Pole Dance Fitness, Kangoo Dance Fitness, Step Aerobics Fitness, Martial Arts Fitness, Sports Model Fitness, and other new sporting directions.

One of the newest and fastest-growing sporting disciplines within WFF-WBBF is Mini-Trampoline Fitness.

Over the past three years, Mini-Trampoline Fitness has been successfully featured at top-level international WFF-WBBF competitions. This discipline is distinguished by its dynamism and the combination of coordination, endurance, physical fitness, and artistic performance. Mini-trampolines offer opportunities for people of various age groups to participate in sports, giving this discipline considerable potential for further development on the international sporting stage.

At the 2026 WFF-WBBF international competitions, among various age groups and qualification categories, the absolute world champion in the Mini-Trampoline Fitness division was Polish athlete Katarzyna Małgorzata Rybak.

Her victory once again confirmed that Mini-Trampoline Fitness is becoming an increasingly important part of international sport, opening up new opportunities for athletes and coaches alike.

The WFF-WBBF Federation continues to consistently develop new sporting disciplines, aiming to promote an active lifestyle, encourage sporting creativity, and provide as many people as possible with the opportunity to discover the joy of sport.

For more detailed information about the activities of the WFF-WBBF Federation, international competitions, and sporting innovations, please visit:

www.wff.lt
www.worldfitness.lt

THEY BANNED BODYBUILDING.

HE HELD THE COMPETITIONS ANYWAY.

From illegal competitions in Soviet Lithuania to a Pope’s medal in the Vatican — a story that sounds almost impossible today

1976. Soviet Lithuania.

Bodybuilding was banned.

The authorities did not want it. The system regarded it as something foreign, suspicious and unnecessary.

But someone decided that a ban would not be the final word.

Edmundas Daubaras began organizing bodybuilding competitions.

Public competitions.

At the time — illegal in the eyes of the authorities.

And this is where a story began that, decades later, would lead from Lithuania to Moscow — and ultimately to the Vatican.

NOT IN A GYM. AGAINST THE SYSTEM.

Today, bodybuilding competitions seem completely ordinary.

A stage. Spotlights. Athletes. Judges. Medals.

But in Soviet Lithuania, everything was different.

In 1976–1977, organizing public bodybuilding competitions meant challenging the system.

Athletes wanted to train.

They wanted to compete.

They wanted to demonstrate the results of their work.

And the system said: no.

The answer was simple:

“The competitions will take place anyway.”

And they did.

In Klaipėda, the authorities later permitted bodybuilding competitions to be held.

But that was not the end of the story.

It was only the beginning.

1978. A PETITION — TO MOSCOW

When organizing competitions was no longer enough, an even bolder step was taken.

In 1978, Edmundas Daubaras wrote a petition defending bodybuilding.

And he did not take it to some local authority.

Not to a sports club.

Not to a newspaper editorial office.

He took it to Moscow. To the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

It was an attempt to address the system itself.

Directly.

Without intermediaries.

To demand recognition of the right of a sport to exist — a sport to which the system had imposed restrictions.

Today, individual circumstances of that period may be interpreted in different ways. But one fact cannot be denied:

A man living under the Soviet system chose to openly defend something that the system sought to restrict.

DECADES PASSED.

Time changed the world.

The Soviet Union disappeared.

The Iron Curtain fell.

Bodybuilding became an international sport.

And a story that had once been associated with bans and state control eventually reached a completely different place.

The Vatican.

2011. THE VATICAN.

During an official reception for WFF-WBBF leaders at the Vatican, representatives of the Catholic Church were introduced to this history.

They learned about the position of bodybuilding under the communist system.

About the bans.

About the first competitions.

About the petition to Moscow.

About the activities of Edmundas Daubaras.

And then something happened that nobody at the beginning of this story could have predicted.

Cardinal Jozef Tomko described Edmundas Daubaras’s actions toward the communist regime as dissident in nature.

And there was more.

Edmundas Daubaras was awarded a medal of Pope Benedict XVI.

Later, the WFF-WBBF federation received an official letter from the Vatican blessing the federation’s activities.

From illegal competitions in Soviet Lithuania — to the Vatican.

From prohibition — to blessing.

Could there be a more striking historical irony?

60 YEARS. AND ONE EXTRAORDINARY STORY.

Today, WFF-WBBF celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Six decades of sporting history.

But among the countless dates, championships, athletes and titles, there is one story that stands out.

Because it did not begin under comfortable circumstances.

Not in a free country.

Not at a time when everything was permitted.

It began when people had to fight for the very right to organize bodybuilding competitions.

And that is precisely why this story deserves to be remembered.

BECAUSE SOMETIMES A MEDAL IS NOT FOR MUSCLES.

In sports history, medals are usually awarded for victories.

For records.

For championship titles.

But in this story, the medal presented at the Vatican carried an entirely different meaning.

It became a symbolic recognition of the work of a man who began acting at a time when even the right to organize bodybuilding competitions could not be taken for granted.

1976–1977 — illegal competitions.

1978 — petition to Moscow.

2011 — the Vatican.

Medal of Pope Benedict XVI.

Recognition by Cardinal Jozef Tomko.

Official Vatican blessing of WFF-WBBF activities.

That is the journey.

And so, as the federation marks its 60th anniversary, one can say it very simply:

WHEN THE SYSTEM SAID “NO” — SPORT SAID “YES.”

And history remembered it.