2026 News International. Lithuania Strengthens International Sports Cooperation: Focus on Taiwan and Upcoming WFF-WBBF Events.

On August 27, 2026, an official meeting took place in Vilnius between the leadership of the World WFF-WBBF Federation and representatives of the Taiwan Embassy. The meeting focused on the possibility of Taiwan’s official delegation participating in major international sporting events in Lithuania, as well as prospects for further cooperation between Lithuania and Taiwan in the field of sport.

The World WFF-WBBF Federation is currently preparing for two major international events in Lithuania: the 37th World Championship in Neringa, scheduled for October 24–26, 2026, and the 60th edition of the historic international “Amber Prix” Tournament in Klaipėda, planned for May 2027.

The international significance of these events was further highlighted by the meeting held in Vilnius on August 27 with representatives of the Taiwan Embassy. The meeting was attended by Mr. Elvie Wu, Deputy Head of the Taiwan Embassy, and Ms. Lee Chun-Chih, First Secretary of the Embassy.

The meeting was held with the official support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, providing an important broader context for the international cooperation being developed by the Federation.

Taiwan’s Participation – One of the Key Issues Discussed

One of the main topics of discussion was the possibility of an official Taiwan delegation participating in upcoming WFF-WBBF international events.

The participation of Taiwanese athletes and an official delegation in the World Championship in Neringa and the “Amber Prix” Tournament in Klaipėda could represent an important step toward strengthening international sporting relations.

In this context, sport serves not only as a field of competition but also as a platform for international dialogue, people-to-people contacts and institutional cooperation. International championships and tournaments with long-standing traditions provide opportunities for representatives of different countries to meet, establish contacts and develop long-term partnerships.

Looking Ahead to 2027

The discussions were not limited to upcoming events in Lithuania. The parties also discussed the possibility of organizing a major international WFF-WBBF event in Taiwan in 2027 – the 52nd International “World Grand Prix” Tournament.

This demonstrates that the potential cooperation is not being considered merely as a one-time participation of a Taiwanese delegation in events held in Lithuania. Rather, the discussions point toward a broader partnership in the organization of international sporting events, potentially involving sports organizations and athletes from both Lithuania and Taiwan.

Lithuania as a Meeting Point for International Sport

As the 37th World Championship in Neringa approaches, Lithuania is once again emerging as a country where sports communities from different parts of the world can meet.

The World Championship in Neringa in October 2026 and the 60th “Amber Prix” Tournament in Klaipėda in May 2027 are more than events on the international sporting calendar. They provide a platform for international cooperation, bringing together countries, federations, athletes and sports organizations.

The possibility of developing new event destinations – from Lithuania to Taiwan – adds another important dimension to this process.

A New Stage in International Cooperation

The August 27 meeting in Vilnius may mark a new stage in Lithuania–Taiwan sports cooperation. The immediate practical step is to continue coordinating the possible participation of a Taiwanese delegation in WFF-WBBF events in Lithuania. The longer-term perspective is the possible organization of the 52nd International “World Grand Prix” Tournament in Taiwan in 2027.

In this way, sport becomes a concrete and practical instrument for strengthening international relations.

The key conclusion of the meeting is that the potential cooperation extends beyond a single event. A broader international sports cooperation framework is taking shape, bringing together Lithuania, Taiwan and the international WFF-WBBF event network.

The coming months will show how the discussed opportunities and arrangements develop in practice. Meanwhile, the WFF-WBBF Federation continues preparations for one of its major events of 2026 – the 37th World Championship in Neringa.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt

Mayor of Lviv, Press Conference, Television Report The Highest International Recognition of a Lifetime of Achievement

In June 2013, the President of the World Fitness Federation – World Body Building Federation (W.F.F. – W.B.B.F.), Edmundas Daubaras, paid an official visit to Lviv, the historical and cultural capital of Western Ukraine, renowned for its rich academic traditions, architectural heritage, and vibrant public life.

The visit became one of the most significant international recognitions of Edmundas Daubaras' professional career. More than three decades of dedication to building and developing the global W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. movement were acknowledged not only by the international sports community but also by academic institutions and the municipal authorities of one of Ukraine's most distinguished cities.

Upon his arrival in Lviv, the President of the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. was officially welcomed by a city delegation and accommodated as an honorary guest at the prestigious Leopol Hotel.

The central event of the visit was the solemn ceremony held at Lviv Stavropigion University, one of Ukraine's oldest institutions of higher education, whose origins date back to 1788. In recognition of Edmundas Daubaras' outstanding contribution to international sports development, public service, and international cooperation, the University's Academic Council conferred upon him the honorary academic degree of Doctor Honoris Causa (Doctor of Sciences, D.Sc.).

This distinction represents one of the highest academic honours awarded to individuals whose achievements have made an exceptional and lasting contribution to society, science, culture, sport, and international cooperation.

The ceremony was attended by distinguished scholars and university leaders from Ukraine and abroad. Among them were Professor Dr. Yaroslav Kmit (Ярослав Кміт), Rector of Lviv Stavropigion University and Vice President of the International UNESCO Programs Implementation Center; Professor Viktor Idzio (Віктор Ідзьо), Rector of Moscow University, Academician of the International Eurasian Academy and the Academy of Sciences of Higher Education Institutions of Ukraine, together with numerous other prominent representatives of the academic community.

The honour carried a significance far beyond personal recognition. It represented international acknowledgment of the achievements of the entire W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. movement. Over many years, the organization had united dozens of countries, organized international championships on several continents, and established lasting partnerships with universities, public organizations, and governmental institutions around the world. Its activities had evolved beyond the traditional boundaries of sport, becoming an important platform for international cooperation and cultural exchange.

Official Reception at Lviv City Hall

Following the honorary degree ceremony, Edmundas Daubaras was officially received by Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi. The meeting was attended by representatives of Lviv Stavropigion University, leaders of Ukrainian bodybuilding organizations, municipal officials, and members of the press.

During the meeting, the activities of the World W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Federation were presented, while discussions focused on opportunities for international sports cooperation, youth engagement, physical fitness, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles in Lviv and throughout Ukraine. The city's leadership expressed its appreciation for the Federation's achievements and its contribution to strengthening international sporting relations.

Following the official reception, a press conference was organized for Ukrainian journalists, during which the history of the Federation, its international championships, and its activities across numerous countries were presented.

The visit continued with a live television interview at Lviv Television, where Edmundas Daubaras spoke about the Federation's mission, principles, and worldwide development. The television report became one of the highlights of the official visit, introducing the international activities of the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. to a broad Ukrainian audience.

In honour of the distinguished guest, the day's official programme concluded with a ceremonial banquet attended by university officials, representatives of the city administration, leaders of sports organizations, members of the academic community, and invited guests.

Significance for the International Federation

The 2013 visit to Lviv became one of the most remarkable examples of international recognition in the history of the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Federation. The conferral of the honorary doctorate, the official reception at City Hall, the press conference, and the extensive television coverage demonstrated that the Federation was regarded not merely as a sports organization but as an international public movement promoting cooperation among nations, universities, and civic institutions.

These events symbolized the culmination of more than thirty years of dedicated work. They confirmed that the consistent development of a worldwide organization and its long-standing international partnerships had earned recognition at the highest academic and public levels. The Lviv visit therefore became not only a significant milestone in the biography of Edmundas Daubaras but also an important chapter in the international history of the World Fitness Federation – World Body Building Federation.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt

World Professional Sport News.

22 Years at the Top of Professional Bodybuilding: Lithuania Among the World Champions.

The W.B.B.F. International World Professional Championship results from 2004 to 2025 reveal not only the changing geography of world bodybuilding, but also the prominent position of Lithuanian athletes among the international elite. Over more than two decades, champions have repeatedly come from countries such as Russia, Brazil, Finland and others, while in recent years the name of Lithuania has become increasingly prominent.

Lithuania's breakthrough – especially in women's bodybuilding

According to the 2004–2025 summary provided, Lithuania appears five times in the list of women's world professional champions.

Lithuania's world professional champions are:

Jolanta Mileriūtė – 2006, 2007 and 2008, Light category; Vilma Povilionienė – 2024, Light category; Svetlana Pugacheva – 2025, Heavy category.

This is particularly significant: Lithuanian women have not only appeared among the world champions in earlier periods, but have also remained at the very top in the most recent era of the championship.

Moreover, 2025 became an exceptional year for Lithuania when Svetlana Pugacheva won the World Professional Championship in the Heavy category.

Svetlana Pugacheva – from international competition to the world professional summit

The 2025 victory also has a broader context. Svetlana Pugacheva's name has appeared repeatedly on the international bodybuilding stage in W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. results. She has also been associated with the federation's international judging and activities.

Therefore, her 2025 victory can be viewed not simply as a one-season achievement, but as the culmination of many years of international experience, dedication and athletic excellence.

Hanna Kristina Skytta – five consecutive years of dominance

One of the most impressive highlights of the entire dataset is the five-year reign of Finland's Hanna Kristina Skytta.

She became World Professional Champion in the Heavy category in:

2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Five consecutive World Professional titles represent one of the most remarkable achievements in the women's championship history covered by the 2004–2025 statistics.

Another outstanding streak belongs to Brazil's Dalvaniza Aquino, who won three consecutive titles in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Russia – the leading country in women's championships

According to the women's results provided, Russia recorded the highest number of championship victories between 2004 and 2025 – 10 titles.

The next countries are:

Lithuania – 5
Finland – 5
Brazil – 4
Poland – 1
Argentina – 1

Thus, based on the supplied results, Lithuania belongs to the leading group of nations in women's professional bodybuilding during this period.

Equally important, Lithuania's five victories are not concentrated in a single short period, but span different eras of the championship.

A different geography in the men's division

The men's championship picture is somewhat different.

According to the supplied 2004–2025 results, Russia leads with 11 championship victories.

It is followed by:

Iran – 3
Slovakia – 2
Estonia – 2
Brazil – 2

One championship victory each was recorded for Lithuania, Poland, Turkey, South Africa, Uruguay, Italy and India.

Lithuania's men's champion during this period was Dainius Džikevičius, who won the World Professional Championship in the Heavy category in 2020.

This was a major achievement for Lithuanian men's bodybuilding.

The new geography of world champions

The 2004–2025 statistics reveal an important trend: the world professional bodybuilding stage is not limited to a handful of traditional bodybuilding nations.

The champions' list includes countries from:

Europe – Lithuania, Russia, Finland, Poland, Slovakia, Estonia, Italy and Turkey;

South America – Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay;

Asia and the Middle East – India and Iran;

Africa – South Africa.

This demonstrates how international professional bodybuilding has become over the past two decades, with world championship titles reaching an increasingly diverse range of countries.

Lithuania – not merely a participant, but a champion nation

Perhaps the most important conclusion for Lithuania is that the country's presence in the championship records is not incidental.

Five women's and one men's world professional championship victories between 2004 and 2025 represent six championship-winning entries for Lithuanian athletes in the supplied results.

Even more importantly, Lithuanian athletes have continued to achieve strong results in other W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. international competitions. Lithuania's representatives regularly appear among the highest-ranked athletes, while the country continues to feature in recent professional championship results.

Svetlana Pugacheva's 2025 victory is another powerful confirmation of this tradition.

Conclusion

The W.B.B.F. International World Professional Championship history from 2004 to 2025 demonstrates that Lithuania has earned its place among the world's professional bodybuilding elite.

This is not merely the story of isolated athletes or a single successful season. Lithuanian names appear among the champions across different eras – from Jolanta Mileriūtė's three-year reign from 2006 to 2008, to Vilma Povilionienė's 2024 victory and Svetlana Pugacheva's 2025 World Professional Championship title.

At the same time, the international stage has produced remarkable stories of sustained dominance, including Hanna Kristina Skytta's five consecutive titles and Dalvaniza Aquino's three consecutive victories.

The statistics therefore represent far more than a simple list of champions. They provide a 22-year snapshot of professional bodybuilding history in which Lithuania is not merely an observer, but one of the nations whose athletes have reached the highest level of international competition.

Lithuania has every reason to be proud of its bodybuilding heritage – and Svetlana Pugacheva's 2025 World Professional Championship victory once again placed the Lithuanian flag at the very top of the international bodybuilding stage.

  The Years of Bodybuilding Prohibition in Klaipeda. The Period Before the Public “Amber Prix” Tournament (Until 1976).

The history of bodybuilding in Klaipeda differed little from developments in other Lithuanian cities or throughout the socialist countries. It was a period when an officially prohibited sport survived solely through the efforts of enthusiasts — in basements, bomb shelters, and illegal clubs. Today, this era is regarded as a unique testimony to its time and an important part of Lithuania’s sports history.

In 1969, Edmundas Daubaras purchased his first barbell and, together with Algis Zivelis, began training at home. Soon, increasing numbers of local young people gathered at the Daubaras family apartment to exercise. As the constant flow of visitors became difficult for the family to accommodate, training sessions were moved first to the basement of an apartment building and later to the railway workers’ pioneer camp in Giruliai. One of the leading authorities of the time became Rimantas Budrys. Although conditions were extremely modest, the athletes remained dedicated.

In 1970, after the withdrawal from active activity of Klaipeda bodybuilding leader Antanas Jonuskutis (1942–2003), the city’s athletes dispersed among various adapted and non-adapted training premises. Nevertheless, the bodybuilding movement did not stop.

A major turning point came in 1971, when Klaipeda Seaport employee Vytautas Daubaras obtained premises for young athletes in a bomb shelter belonging to the port on Sportininku Street. There, the “Gintaras” (“Amber”) club was established, becoming the main bodybuilding center in Klaipeda during the harshest prohibition years. Around one hundred enthusiasts attended the club. Remarkably, the club’s traditions continue to this day — it is now known as “Amber Gym” and remains one of the organizers of the “Amber Prix” competition.

In 1971, in Tallinn, then part of the Estonian SSR, Innar Mardo (1945-2002) launched the tournament that later became a traditional event known as the “Georg Tenno Memorial.” The overall winners of the first competition were Valdas Aliubavičius from Vilnius in the junior division (the 1968 overall junior winner of the “Amber Prize” tournament) and Vladimir Dubinin from Leningrad in the adult division.

A few words about Georg Tenno. An officer in the Soviet Army, he was accused of espionage in 1948 and sentenced to imprisonment in the Gulag system. While incarcerated, he shared a prison cell with the future Nobel Prize laureate Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. During his imprisonment, Georg Tenno attempted to escape five times. In his famous work “The Gulag Archipelago” (“Архипелаг ГУЛАГ”), Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn dedicated a chapter to him titled “The Convicted Escapee” (“Убежденный беглец”).

In 1972, Edmundas Daubaras left to study philology at Vilnius State University but maintained close ties with Klaipeda athletes. He continued to lead the “Gintaras” club through his associates Algimantas Stalnionis and Algimantas Ratas.

After the USSR and other socialist countries officially banned bodybuilding, activities moved underground. In 1973, Edmundas Daubaras organized illegal bodybuilding competitions in the basement of the old city prison, attended by the bravest Klaipeda athletes of the time. In the adult division, Mindaugas Liaugaudas won first place, while the youth category was won by Algimantas Ratas.

That same year, Edmundas Daubaras gathered athletes from illegally operating clubs in Vilnius and organized strength dual competitions. Forty-six athletes from Vilnius, Klaipeda, and Siauliai participated. It was one of the first attempts to preserve a united Lithuanian bodybuilding community despite the prohibitions.

In 1974, the “Amber Prix” tournament was held in the bomb shelter premises of the “Gintaras” club. Athletes from four underground Klaipeda clubs took part. The competition program consisted of three parts: strength exercises, mandatory posing routines, and freestyle performances.

The junior divisions were won by Antanas Kazlauskas, Algimantas Ratas, and Sigitas Kisonas. In the youth divisions, the strongest competitors were Kestutis Virketis and Evaldas Sorius, while the adult categories were won by Sigitas Vilutis and Vytautas Zenkevicius. The absolute winners of their respective age groups were Antanas Kazlauskas, Evaldas Sorius, and Vytautas Zenkevicius.

After a two-year break, Estonian organizer Inar Mardo (Innar Mardo, 1945–2002) managed to revive the “Georg Tenno Memorial” competition in 1974. He succeeded in convincing Estonian political authorities that bodybuilding was a national Estonian sport with deep traditions. The competition took place at the Tallinn Technical School. Athletes from the “Vilnius School of Bodybuilding” won all first places except in the tallest height category, where Estonian Olev Annus defeated the favored RSFSR representative Vladimir Dubinin. The overall champion became Pranas Murauskas.

In 1975, the “Amber Prize” tournament was already being held in one of Klaipėda’s secondary schools. In addition to local athletes, competitors from Telšiai and Vilnius participated. The junior groups were won by Leonidas Rodionovas, Rimas Apulskis, and Antanas Dobrodzejus. In the youth categories, first places were claimed by Antanas Bašermanas, Algimantas Ruplys, and Aimontas Dolgichas. In the adult groups, the winners were Vytautas Zenkevičius, Olegas Serovas, and Rišardas Krinickis. The absolute winners were Rimas Apulskis, Algimantas Ruplys, and Rišardas Krinickis.

Despite prohibitions, constant surveillance, and poor training conditions, bodybuilding in Klaipeda not only survived but continued to grow stronger. During this period, the foundations were laid for a tradition that would later become one of most famous international bodybuilding events — the “Amber Prix” competition.

In 1975, during a university student exchange program, Edmundas Daubaras spent two months in Prague (Czechoslovak Socialist Republic). There he met Vojtech Fiala, president of the Czechoslovak Bodybuilding Federation. Vojtech Fiala was delighted to meet a representative of Soviet bodybuilding after a ten-year break. Seeking to demonstrate good relations with the USSR, he introduced Edmundas Daubaras to officials of the Czechoslovak Ministry of Sports (ČSTV – Československý svaz tělesné výchovy).

Edmundas Daubaras was surprised that, during the years when bodybuilding was banned in the USSR, Czechoslovak bodybuilders enjoyed official government support. In 1975, they participated for the first time in the IFBB European Championship held in the West. At that championship, Czech athlete Petr Stach not only won his category but also became the overall European champion.

At the initiative of Vojtech Fiala, Edmundas Daubaras visited the town of Rodotín, where the renowned athlete Petr Stach lived. The European champion welcomed the distinguished guest by holding an exhibition training session, during which he demonstrated his excellent physical condition and impressive musculature.

Among the participants of the “Amber Prix” tournaments were individuals who later became prominent Lithuanian public officials. Risardas Krinickis, who served for many years as one of the leaders of the State Control Committee under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, made a significant contribution to organizing numerous international “Amber Prix” tournaments between 1995 and 2008. For his merits to the international bodybuilding movement, he was awarded the “International Honor Gold Medal” of the World WFF-WBBF Federation in 2008.

Another participant was Kestutis Virketis, long-time Director of the Legal Department of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania. He also made an important contribution to organizing the 40th anniversary “Amber Prix” tournament. In 2024, he too was awarded the “International Honor Gold Medal” of the World WFF-WBBF Federation for his contribution to the international bodybuilding movement.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt

World Bodybuilding History. GEORG TENNO – The Man Who Opened the Door to Athletic Training in the Soviet Union.

During the 1950s and 1960s, one of the most important promoters of athletic training and bodybuilding in the Soviet Union was the Estonian-born Georg Tenno (Georg Tenno, Георгий Павлович Тэнно, 1911–1967). His life story is about much more than sport. It is the story of a man who survived the Soviet system of political repression, attempted to escape from the Gulag five times, and later used his knowledge and experience to help shape the development of athletic training and bodybuilding in the Soviet Union.

Georg Tenno was a naval officer, a World War II veteran, an athlete, coach and translator. In 1948, he was arrested, accused of espionage and sentenced to a long term in the Gulag. He was released and rehabilitated in 1956.

Eight Years in the Gulag

Georg Tenno spent eight years in the Soviet camp system. He repeatedly refused to accept the life imposed upon him as a prisoner and took part in five escape attempts. Although none of them succeeded, his determination and courage later made him one of the most memorable figures in Alexander Solzhenitsyn's writings.

Tenno and Alexander Solzhenitsyn knew each other from their years in the camp system. Solzhenitsyn devoted a chapter entitled “The Committed Escaper” (“Убеждённый беглец”) to Tenno in The Gulag Archipelago. He also included Tenno's account of one of his escape attempts elsewhere in the book.

Solzhenitsyn later remembered Tenno as a hero, fighter and athlete – one of the strongest, bravest and most daring people he had known. He regarded Tenno as one of the principal figures associated with The Gulag Archipelago.

Their relationship became important not only because of their shared experience of imprisonment. After his release, Tenno helped Solzhenitsyn locate former political prisoners whose experiences could contribute to the emerging Gulag Archipelago. He also played a crucial role in protecting the manuscript of the work. In 1965, Tenno secretly transported the manuscript to Estonia, where it could be kept out of the reach of the Soviet security services.

In 1970, Alexander Solzhenitsyn was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Returning to Life – and to Sport

After his release in 1956, Georg Tenno returned to the world of sport. He began working at the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Physical Culture (ВНИИФК), where his work involved foreign literature and translations.

This access to foreign publications was particularly important. At a time when Western training methods and bodybuilding literature were largely inaccessible to ordinary Soviet citizens, Tenno was able to study foreign methodological material and make use of it in his own work.

He was helped in obtaining employment at the institute by Roman Moroz, a former coach of the Soviet national weightlifting team.

It was during this period that Tenno began systematically promoting athletic training and bodybuilding. His approach was remarkably modern for its time. Physical exercise was not merely a means of increasing muscle size. It was intended to improve health, develop strength and endurance, build a harmonious physique and increase a person's overall physical capabilities.

Tenno became one of the people who introduced Soviet readers to training principles that had already been developed and tested in Western countries. His articles appeared in Sportivnaya zhizn Rossii (“Sports Life of Russia”) and other sports publications. From 1964, he was a member of the Athletic Gymnastics Commission of the All-Union Weightlifting Federation.

Athletism – The Book That Became a Landmark

In 1968, one year after Georg Tenno's death, his book Athletism (Атлетизм), written together with Yuri Sorokin, was published.

The book presented training methods and exercises for developing different muscle groups, as well as information on sports nutrition and recovery after physical exertion. At the time, this was exceptional material for Soviet readers. The book quickly became popular among people who wanted to train independently with weights and develop their physical strength and appearance.

Tenno understood very well the ideological environment in which he was working. In the Soviet Union, bodybuilding was not regarded simply as a legitimate form of sport and self-development. It could easily be criticized as excessive individualism or vanity.

For this reason, Tenno presented athletic training primarily as a means of improving health, strength, physical fitness and working capacity. The aesthetic side of bodybuilding was deliberately kept in the background.

This was both a practical and politically cautious approach. In the Soviet context, the promotion of bodybuilding had to be justified not simply by appearance, but by physical preparedness and usefulness to society.

“Every Athlete Is His Own Adviser and Coach”

The essence of Tenno's training philosophy was conscious and independent exercise. He believed that a person who trained regularly and paid attention to the body's response to physical stress could learn to determine the methods and workloads best suited to him.

This approach was later discussed by Vladimir Chudinov, who argued in Sportivnaya zhizn Rossii that the Soviet physical-education system should make greater use of Tenno's athletic-training methodology.

Chudinov emphasized that Tenno translated foreign literature and drew upon already developed training methods. He also noted that Tenno did not make a strict distinction between the concepts of bodybuilding and athletic training. What mattered was not the label, but the physical result.

This philosophy – that the athlete should learn to understand his own body and take responsibility for his training – was particularly progressive in an era when organized sport in the Soviet Union was dominated by highly structured systems.

Georg Tenno's Legacy

Georg Tenno died in Moscow on October 22, 1967, at the age of 56. He was buried in Estonia, at Pärnamäe Cemetery in Tallinn.

His legacy extended far beyond the book Athletism. Tenno became one of the key figures in the development of early Soviet athletic training and bodybuilding. His writings and methods influenced numerous followers who later continued to develop and popularize bodybuilding throughout the Soviet Union.

His life brought together several seemingly different worlds: sport, political repression, the Gulag, journalism, translation and his close association with one of the most important writers of the twentieth century.

The fact that a man who had attempted to escape the Gulag system five times later became one of the leading pioneers of athletic training and bodybuilding in the Soviet Union makes Georg Tenno's story extraordinary.

The Georg Tenno Memorial

Georg Tenno's memory was also preserved through international bodybuilding competitions in Estonia. Inaro Mardo's efforts led to the organization of the first Georg Tenno Memorial in 1971. Fourteen memorial competitions were held between 1971 and 1989.

Together with the international Amber Prix International tournament, the Georg Tenno Memorial was for many years among the few regular bodybuilding competitions held in the Soviet Union and throughout the socialist world.

In 2024, organizers in Pärnu, Estonia, revived the tradition of the Georg Tenno Memorial. The event was presented as the 15th Georg Tenno Memorial, continuing the competition's historical legacy after the long interruption.

The return of the memorial was more than a sporting event. It was a reminder of a remarkable Estonian figure whose influence reached far beyond the borders of his homeland.

Georg Tenno's name remains an important part of the history of athletic training and bodybuilding in Estonia, the former Soviet Union and the wider socialist world.

His life demonstrates that sport can sometimes be much more than the development of physical strength. It can become an expression of personal freedom, determination and resistance – a way for a human being to preserve his dignity even under the most difficult circumstances.
More information is on international site www.wff.lt

The History of the “Amber Prix”. EDITA DAUBARAITĖ – THE FIRST OVER ALL WORLD FITNESS CHAMPION.

In 2027, Klaipėda will commemorate an important anniversary in the history of the “Amber Prix”, one of the long-standing international sporting tournaments associated with the city and with Lithuania’s sporting heritage.

This history is inseparable from the name of Edita Daubaraitė (now Sendrienė). Thirty years ago, in 1997, in Mannheim, Germany, she became the over all World Fitness Champion at the W.F.F. World Fitness Championships.

This was more than a personal sporting victory. At the time, it represented a remarkable achievement for Lithuanian sport: a representative of Lithuania—and, more broadly, of the former socialist world—had reached the very top of the emerging international fitness movement.

From ballet and gymnastics to the fitness stage

Edita’s path to fitness was unusual. From an early age, she was involved in ballet and artistic gymnastics, disciplines in which movement, flexibility, coordination, musicality and stage presence are essential.

A turning point came in 1995. While attending N.A.B.B.A. competitions in Malta, Edita saw athletes whose performances combined physical strength with aesthetics, choreography and gymnastics.

One athlete in particular made a strong impression on her: Daniela Harič of Croatia. Her performance stood out for its lightness, sophisticated gymnastics elements and stage presence.

Edita remembers thinking:

“I want to do that, too...”

That thought marked the beginning of a new chapter in her sporting life.

After returning to Lithuania, she began serious fitness training. Her first successes came at national competitions, followed by victories at the Lithuanian National Championships and increasingly important international appearances.

The “Amber Prix” – an important part of her career

International “Amber Prix” tournaments held in Klaipėda also became an important part of Edita Daubaraitė’s sporting career.

In 1996, she won first place in the fitness category, and in 1997, she finished second.

This was a period when fitness was still defining itself as a distinct sporting discipline. There was growing emphasis on separating fitness from traditional bodybuilding and highlighting a combination of physical conditioning, flexibility, gymnastics, choreography and stage presentation.

Edita’s athletic background made her particularly well suited to this emerging concept of fitness.

A new federation and a new sporting concept

In 1995, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, German Klaus P. J. Hoffmann, Greek Anargiros Tsopouridis and Austrian Peter Papula met at the Sheraton Hotel in Stuttgart, Germany. The foundations of the World Fitness Federation (W.F.F.) were established there.

The federation sought to develop a different concept of the sport—a form of fitness in which physical development was combined with movement, gymnastics, flexibility, aesthetics and stage performance. A new chapter in the history of fitness had begun.

Edita Daubaraitė would soon become one of Lithuania’s most prominent representatives of this new sporting movement.

1997 – the historic triumph in Mannheim

The decisive moment came in 1997 in Mannheim, Germany.

At the W.F.F. World Fitness Championships, Edita Daubaraitė won the title of over all World Fitness Champion. W.F.F. archival material lists her as the first athlete among the absolute women’s world champions. W.F.F. archival material

Her achievement was presented as a historic event in Lithuanian fitness. Reports of her victory also reached a wider international audience, including television coverage on Eurosport. W.F.F. archival material states that her performance was broadcast several times. W.F.F. archival material

Edita’s victory was significant in an even broader historical context. W.F.F. historical sources describe her as the first over all World Fitness Champion representing the former socialist world. W.F.F. archival material

But the most important point is not simply the title.

A Lithuanian athlete demonstrated that success on the international stage could be achieved not only through physical strength, but also through movement, gymnastics, elegance and stage mastery.

A victory that might have received state recognition

Edita Daubaraitė’s achievement did not go unnoticed in Lithuania.

At the time, Rimas Girskis, a deputy ministerial-level official within the Lithuanian national sports administration, sought to have her achievement recognized with a state award.

The initiative, however, was not ultimately successful. W.F.F. archival material also refers to the consideration of state recognition for Edita, but confirms that the award was not granted. W.F.F. archival material

Three decades later, this part of the story can be viewed more calmly.

What remains most important in sporting history is not the controversy or disagreements of the time, but the achievement itself:

a Lithuanian athlete had reached the international summit of a rapidly developing new sport.

From champion to coach

After completing her physical education studies at Klaipėda University, Edita Daubaraitė-Sendrienė chose a career as a coach.

This was a natural continuation of her sporting journey.

Her competition experience, understanding of stage performance, gymnastics background and international knowledge became valuable tools in preparing a new generation of athletes. A number of her students later achieved major victories, including titles and medals at World and European Championships.

Her contribution to sport therefore did not end with her 1997 victory.

The champion became a coach, and the coach became a mentor to a new generation of champions.

The “Amber Prix” and Edita’s story

Edita Daubaraitė’s story has particular meaning as the anniversary of the “Amber Prix” approaches.

The “Amber Prix” is more than the name of a competition or an award. It represents decades of sporting history, bringing together athletes, coaches, organizers, judges and spectators across generations.

Edita’s story stands out because it reflects one of the important turning points in the development of the sport—the transition from traditional bodybuilding concepts toward a more modern understanding of fitness.

Her journey began with ballet and artistic gymnastics, continued on the “Amber Prix” stage, and ultimately led to the title of over all World Fitness Champion.

Later, that same journey continued through coaching.

Conclusion: history must not only be remembered – it must be preserved

Thirty years after Edita Daubaraitė’s historic triumph, her achievement should be viewed not merely as an episode in the career of one athlete.

It is part of the history of Lithuanian fitness.

It is the story of a woman from Klaipėda who moved from ballet and artistic gymnastics into a new sporting discipline, accepted an international challenge and, in 1997, reached the highest level of world fitness competition.

It is also the story of a period when fitness itself was still developing and establishing its identity as a distinct sport.

And finally, it is a story of continuity: the athlete became a coach, and her experience was passed on to a new generation.

As the anniversary of the “Amber Prix” approaches, it is worth remembering not only competition results and lists of winners. Behind every name is a person, a choice, years of work, courage and an era.

Edita Daubaraitė’s story is one of those stories.

1997 remains a landmark year in Lithuanian fitness history—the year when Klaipėda-born Edita Daubaraitė reached the summit of the sport and became over all World Fitness Champion.

And the 2027 anniversary of the “Amber Prix” provides an opportunity to bring this story back into the light—not merely as a legend, but as a valuable part of Lithuania’s sporting heritage.

“Amber Prix” Stories. Michael Glass - United States of America.

Michael Glass (Mike Glass) was an American bodybuilder and sports organizer who played an active role in the development of the WFF–WBBF federation in the United States and in the organization of international sporting events.

Michael Glass competed in bodybuilding only once — at the 1971 A.A.U. “Mr. California” competition, where he won the junior category.

Later, his activities were mainly associated with sports administration and organization. From 2004 to 2008, Michael Glass served as President of the U.S. WFF–WBBF federation and was responsible for organizing the participation of American athletes in international WFF–WBBF events.

In 2006, Michael Glass organized a major international WFF–WBBF competition in Mexico, which, according to federation information, attracted approximately 300 athletes.

In 2007, Michael Glass was a member of a U.S. delegation that was officially received at the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania (Seimas). During the meeting, the activities of the WFF–WBBF federation were presented, preparations for the 2007 World Championships in Vilnius were discussed, as well as the forthcoming 40th “Amber Prix International” tournament in Klaipėda.

During the reception at the Seimas, Michael Glass was presented with the WFF–WBBF International Diploma of Honour. Following the meeting, he participated, together with heads of delegations from various countries, in a press conference at ELTA, the Lithuanian news agency.

In 2006, Michael Glass led the U.S. delegation to the WFF–WBBF World Championships in Tver, Russia. Following the championship, he and other federation officials were received by the Governor of Tver and participated in an international press conference.

Michael Glass’s connection with Lithuanian sports organizers continued in subsequent years. In 2008, a letter from him published in the WFF–WBBF archives congratulated federation leader Edmundas Daubaras on the 40th anniversary of the “Amber Prix International” tournament. Glass emphasized the tournament’s long history and its importance to athletes and spectators.

Thus, Michael Glass’s story in the context of the “Amber Prix International” is not only the story of a former bodybuilder, but also of an international sports organizer who contributed to strengthening relations between bodybuilding and fitness organizations in the United States and Lithuania.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt

2026 International News: Lithuania Strengthens International Cooperation Through Sport.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania has officially expressed its support for the international initiatives of the global WFF-WBBF Federation and for cooperation aimed at strengthening Lithuania’s relations with foreign countries.

Today, the global WFF-WBBF Federation unites members from more than 140 countries across several continents. For more than three decades, the Federation’s international activities have been based in Lithuania and have contributed not only to the development of bodybuilding and fitness, but also to promoting Lithuania internationally.

The Federation has received an official letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, expressing support for its initiatives and confirming cooperation in developing Lithuania’s international relations.

This represents important recognition for an organization whose international activities have been conducted from Lithuania for more than 30 years.

The International Sports Community Is Coming to Lithuania

Two major international WFF-WBBF events are planned in Lithuania in the near future.

The 37th WFF-WBBF World Championship will take place in Neringa on October 24–26, 2026. The three-day international programme will be held at the prestigious “Agila” Cultural Centre in Nida. Athletes from different countries, representatives of international sports organisations, as well as prominent public and cultural figures, are expected to be invited to the event.

Meanwhile, in May 2027, Klaipėda is scheduled to host one of the world’s oldest traditional bodybuilding and fitness events – the “Amber Prix” Tournament.

Preparations for both events began as early as 2025. The programme is planned to include not only sporting competitions, but also an extensive international programme, meetings with international guests and opportunities to present Lithuania to representatives of foreign countries.

This means that Lithuania will welcome members of the international sports community, while Neringa and Klaipėda will become important centres of the Federation’s international activities.

Sport as a Tool for Lithuania’s International Visibility

Cooperation between the WFF-WBBF Federation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania dates back to 1991. Over the years, there have been numerous occasions when international sporting events have provided an opportunity to present Lithuania to a global audience.

One of the most notable examples was the 50th anniversary of the “Amber Prix” in Klaipėda, when, with the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the global television network CNN produced a report from Klaipėda that reached a worldwide audience of billions.

This example demonstrates that international sport can serve a much broader purpose than simply organising competitions. Through sport, countries, cities, their culture, people and opportunities for international cooperation can be presented to the world.

The 2026–2027 Events: A New Opportunity for Lithuania

The forthcoming 37th World Championship in Neringa and the “Amber Prix” Tournament in Klaipėda can provide another important platform for increasing Lithuania’s international visibility.

The fact that the Federation brings together representatives from more than 140 countries is particularly significant. Athletes and international guests travelling to Lithuania can become informal ambassadors of the country in their respective nations, taking home impressions and information about Lithuania, its cities and its international events.

This is the practical meaning of sports diplomacy: an international sporting event becomes a meeting point not only for athletes, but also for people, organizations and communities from different countries.

Key Conclusion

The support expressed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania demonstrates that international sport can play a meaningful role in strengthening Lithuania’s foreign relations and international image.

More than 30 years of WFF-WBBF international cooperation and experience provide a strong foundation for continuing to organise major international events in Lithuania.

The events planned in Neringa in October 2026 and in Klaipėda in May 2027 are more than sporting competitions. They are an opportunity to bring the international sports community to Lithuania, strengthen international relations and once again present Lithuania to the world as a country capable of hosting significant international events.

The WFF-WBBF Federation looks forward to strong public interest and support in Lithuania for these forthcoming international events.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt

World Bodybuilding History.

VYTAUTAS ZUMERIS – PIONEER AND ARCHITECT OF ORGANIZED BODYBUILDING IN LITHUANIA.

Vytautas Zumeris (born 1944) was a physician, one of the pioneers of bodybuilding in Lithuania, and one of the leading organizers of the sport during its formative years. His importance extends beyond the history of Lithuanian bodybuilding: he also played a significant role in the emergence and organization of bodybuilding throughout the Soviet Union.

While studying at the Kaunas Medical Institute, Zumeris became interested in bodybuilding in 1965. His involvement, however, quickly went beyond personal interest. He became actively engaged in the organizational development of bodybuilding, at a time when the sport had virtually no established institutional structure in Lithuania.

The first leader of organized bodybuilding in Lithuania

In 1967–1969, Vytautas Zumeris headed the Lithuanian Athletic Gymnastics Committee. In 1969–1971, he became chairman of the Lithuanian Athletic Gymnastics Federation. The establishment of an organized bodybuilding structure in Lithuania was a remarkable development: the sport was being institutionalized at a time when it was still viewed with considerable suspicion within the Soviet sports system.

The official establishment of the Lithuanian Athletic Gymnastics Federation was confirmed on March 5, 1969, and Vytautas Zumeris was elected its first president.

This was more than the creation of a sports organization. It was an attempt to establish and legitimize a new form of physical culture, strongly influenced by Western bodybuilding, within a system in which the sport had no secure institutional position.

Lithuania's role extended beyond its borders

Zumeris's activities were not limited to Lithuania. Together with Vilnius-based Valerij Koreshkov, he became one of the key figures involved in the development of organized bodybuilding structures in the Soviet Union.

In 1968, Zumeris was elected to a five-member public Soviet bodybuilding committee. This group played a leading role in coordinating bodybuilding activities in the USSR until the sport was officially suppressed in the 1970s.

Particularly important were the international contacts established with Poland. In 1968–1969, bodybuilding competitions between the USSR and Poland were organized in Kaunas, Sopot, and Warsaw.

These events were highly significant because they represented some of the earliest international contacts between Soviet bodybuilding enthusiasts and athletes from abroad.

Zumeris can therefore be viewed as a bridge-builder – a person who helped Lithuania become one of the channels through which bodybuilding entered the broader sports environment of the Soviet Union.

Bodybuilding between sport and prohibition

The importance of this period must be understood within its political context. Bodybuilding was a young and distinctive form of physical culture, strongly influenced by developments in the West. In the Soviet Union, it did not fit easily into the officially approved model of physical education and sport.

In 1973, bodybuilding was effectively prohibited in the Soviet Union. This brought the first period of organized bodybuilding to an end.

Vytautas Zumeris subsequently withdrew from active bodybuilding activities. Nevertheless, the work carried out during the preceding years did not disappear. Lithuania already had an organizational tradition, international contacts had been established, and a generation of enthusiasts had emerged who would later contribute to the revival of bodybuilding.

Historical significance

Vytautas Zumeris's contribution is important primarily because he was not merely a bodybuilding enthusiast, but an organizer and leader. His organizational work helped transform an individual sporting interest into a structured movement.

His activities also demonstrate that Lithuania was not simply a passive participant in the Soviet sports system during the 1960s. In certain areas, Lithuanian sports enthusiasts themselves created new structures and established international contacts. In the history of bodybuilding, Vytautas Zumeris was one of these pioneering figures.

His greatest historical achievement was not a collection of sporting titles, but the creation of a beginning. He belonged to the small group of people who, in the late 1960s, transformed bodybuilding in Lithuania from an individual interest into an organized sporting activity.

Recognition and legacy

On September 28, 2020, at the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, Vytautas Zumeris was presented with the WFF–WBBF International Silver Medal of Honor for his contribution to the history of bodybuilding and his public activities.

Conclusion

Vytautas Zumeris can rightly be regarded as one of the architects of organized bodybuilding in Lithuania. His importance lies not simply in the formal positions he held, but in the fact that, as a young physician and medical student, he helped institutionalize a sport that had no established place within the Soviet sports system.

His and Valerij Koreshkov's activities demonstrated that the Lithuanian bodybuilding movement was capable of establishing international contacts as early as the late 1960s. The subsequent prohibition of bodybuilding only further highlighted the importance of the pioneers of this first period: they laid the foundations upon which the Lithuanian bodybuilding system could later be rebuilt.

Vytautas Zumeris's place in Lithuanian sports history should therefore be understood primarily as that of a pioneer, organizer, and one of the principal initiators of the institutionalization of bodybuilding in Lithuania.

His legacy extends beyond bodybuilding itself. It represents an important chapter in the history of Lithuanian sport – a story of initiative, organizational courage, international cooperation, and the determination to develop a new sporting culture under exceptionally difficult political circumstances.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt

WORLD BODYBUILDING ENCYCLOPEDIA.

WHAT IS N.A.B.B.A.? DRAWING CONCLUSIONS.

THE HISTORY OF THE N.A.B.B.A. ASSOCIATION.

While preparing material for the third volume of the World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia, we continue our review of the history of international bodybuilding organizations.

Until the collapse of the socialist system, the situation was relatively clear. From 1971 to 1998, the officially recognized bodybuilding sport was represented by the International Federation of BodyBuilders (I.F.B.B.), while the National Amateur Body-Builders’ Association (N.A.B.B.A.), established in 1950, represented an independent bodybuilding movement that did not possess official international sports recognition.

In this article, we examine the history of the N.A.B.B.A. association and its place in the development of world bodybuilding.

THE BEGINNING OF N.A.B.B.A.

BOB HOFFMAN BROUGHT BODYBUILDING TO LONDON

From 1947 to 1969, official world bodybuilding was governed by the Fédération Internationale Haltérophile et Culturiste (F.I.H.C.), a member of the International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.).

Largely through the efforts of American sports promoter Robert Collins Hoffman (Bob Hoffman, 1898–1985), the first F.I.H.C. “Universe” contest was held in the United States in 1947. In 1948, during the London Olympic Games and with the approval of the International Olympic Committee, the second F.I.H.C. “Universe” contest took place in London.

The event was organized not only by Bob Hoffman but also by the British Amateur Weight Lifting Association (B.A.W.L.A.) and the magazine Health and Strength.

Inspired by the activities of the F.I.H.C., British bodybuilding enthusiasts founded the National Amateur Body-Builders’ Association (N.A.B.B.A.) in 1950 and organized their own “Mr. Universe” contest. However, until the F.I.H.C. ceased its involvement in bodybuilding in 1969, neither N.A.B.B.A. nor the privately operated I.F.B.B. organization could claim official international recognition.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF N.A.B.B.A.

When discussing the history of sports federations, both athletes and administrators are important. Nevertheless, the identity of an organization is often shaped more strongly by its leaders and organizers, as athletes frequently compete in events organized by different federations.

For many years, American athletes dominated the N.A.B.B.A. Mr. Universe competitions. Supported by the structures of F.I.H.C. and the Amateur Athletic Union (A.A.U.), they regularly traveled to Europe and won the most prestigious titles. One reason for this dominance was their advanced training methods and the earlier adoption of anabolic substances in athletic practice.

During the 1980s, the British sports administrator Oscar Heidenstam emerged as one of the most influential figures within N.A.B.B.A. It was during this period that Dr. Edmundas Daubaras began corresponding with him and exchanging information and historical materials.

At the end of 1990, while meeting I.F.B.B. President Ben Weider in New York, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras did not receive support for Lithuania’s efforts to establish independent participation in international bodybuilding following the restoration of national independence. According to the author, the I.F.B.B. leadership declined to accept Lithuanian bodybuilders directly, bypassing the sports authorities of the Soviet Union. As a result, cooperation with N.A.B.B.A. became a practical alternative.

In 1991, Lithuanian athletes participated in the N.A.B.B.A. European Championships in Épinal, France. Natalija Murnikovienė of Klaipėda and Rolandas Bučinskas of Šiauliai became the first European bodybuilding champions in the history of independent Lithuania.

At the same time, another organization, the Lithuanian SSR Bodybuilding Federation headed by Romanas Kalinauskas, continued to operate within the Soviet sports structure.

ONE N.A.B.B.A. – THREE PRESIDENTS

Following the death of Oscar Heidenstam in 1991, the N.A.B.B.A. organization was led for nearly two decades by Irish administrator Ivan Dunbar. Although dedicated to the association, his tenure was marked by increasing internal disagreements.

By 1999, an unusual situation had developed in which three individuals competed for leadership within the organization: Ivan Dunbar, German official Klaus P. J. Hoffmann, and Australian representative Joe Lopez.

Various national federations competed for influence, while administrative and legal issues became increasingly apparent. Questions regarding the organization’s legal status and governance were raised by a number of national representatives.

THE N.A.B.B.A. SPLIT

At the end of the twentieth century, Joe Lopez became one of the most active and ambitious figures within N.A.B.B.A. His disagreements with Klaus Hoffmann and Ivan Dunbar gradually intensified.

During the 1999 N.A.B.B.A. World Championships in Austria, tensions reached a climax at the international congress held alongside the event. Financial disputes within the organization further complicated the situation.

At the congress, Joe Lopez announced that he and several supporting national federations were leaving the British-based N.A.B.B.A. structure and creating a new organization called “N.A.B.B.A. International.”

For several years, this organization promoted alternative “Mr. Universe” contests in Spain. Eventually, however, its activities declined, and the organization disappeared from the international bodybuilding scene.

WHAT IS N.A.B.B.A.? DRAWING CONCLUSIONS

Following the death of Oscar Heidenstam, N.A.B.B.A. no longer possessed a leader capable of providing a strong strategic direction for the organization. It preserved its traditions and historical legacy but did not pursue major ambitions for international expansion.

Nevertheless, N.A.B.B.A. remains one of the oldest and historically most significant bodybuilding organizations in the world. Since its foundation, it has served as an important alternative within the international bodybuilding movement and has left a lasting mark on the history of the sport.

After the International Olympic Committee abandoned support for bodybuilding’s Olympic aspirations in 1998, and following the closure of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (G.A.I.S.F.) in 2023, the international status of bodybuilding organizations became increasingly complex and less clearly defined.

Today, N.A.B.B.A. and I.F.B.B. occupy different positions within the global bodybuilding landscape, yet both organizations remain important in understanding the development, traditions, and historical heritage of bodybuilding.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt