2008

2008 INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT "AMBER PRIX".

Is there anyone in the world today who can compare to him?

Klaipėda, Lithuania, 2008

In 2008, alongside the international “Amber Prix” tournament held in Klaipėda, the organizers of the global WFF–WBBF federation were actively working on staging the traditional “Universe” competition in Vilnius, as well as the WBBF World Professional Championship. At the same time, the WFF World Professional Championship, featuring substantial prize money, was again organized in Prague at the Žofín Palace by Czech businessman Martin Kuta.

Following a meeting between the leaders of the WFF-WBBF Federation and the Minister of Sport of the Republic of Poland, Zbigniew Pacelt, Bydgoszcz businessman Jerzy Gotowski took the initiative to organize the WFF-WBBF World Amateur Championship in his city.

This important decision became a significant step in strengthening the Federation’s international recognition and promoting the development of bodybuilding and fitness sports throughout Europe. The organization of the event brought together the efforts of the city authorities, the business community, and sports organizations, while the championship itself became one of the most important WFF-WBBF sporting events of the year.

The World Amateur Championship held in Bydgoszcz gathered athletes from numerous countries and further reinforced the Federation’s position in the international sports arena.

“Amber Prix”

The 2008  "Amber Prix" competition took place in the sports hall of LCC International University.

On the occasion of the event, former President of the Austrian Parliament Professor Alfred Gerstl presented the people of Klaipeda with a unique collection of original photographs of his protégé, then Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as a documentary film depicting Schwarzenegger’s life journey and athletic career.

The photographs were displayed in an exhibition held on the premises of LCC International University, while the documentary film was screened for the large audience gathered to watch the competition.

The official opening ceremony was attended by members of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, representatives of national and municipal institutions, and other distinguished guests. The event was filmed by a production crew from the Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), which had arrived from Vilnius.

During the 2008 “Amber Prix” tournament, both living and deceased veterans were honored. After the competition, heads of foreign delegations visited the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania and the Ministry of Sport of the Republic of Lithuania, and also attended a press conference held at the ELTA news agency.

On the occasion of the event, a historical trilingual magazine (10,000 copies) and 3,000 copies of the competition DVD were published. These materials were distributed free of charge at various international events around the world.

A total of 293 athletes from 21 countries participated in the event: Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, and Ukraine.

OVERALL CHAMPIONS

Women's Overall Champion: Jamila Vanessa Toledo (Argentina)

Men's Overall Champion: Darius Buksnaitis (Lithuania)