HISTORY THEFT OR NAIVETY?

WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING IN SPORT WORLD.

International bodybuilding today is facing more than just athletic competition. A far more serious battle is unfolding — one over history, names, and influence.

And at the center of that battle, one name keeps appearing: Graeme Lancefield.

“1968”: fact or convenient myth?

It is publicly claimed that basing on the “Amber Prix International” contest the World Fitness Federation (W.F.F.) dates back to 1968. It sounds impressive — deep roots, long tradition, authority.

But critics are asking a very specific question:
does that date belong to the W.F.F. of Graeme Lancefield — or has it simply been “borrowed” from other historical events?

If history is being rewritten, this is no longer interpretation. It becomes narrative engineering.

Old scenario, new players

Those familiar with the bodybuilding world have seen this before. The National Amateur Body-Builders' Association (N.A.B.B.A.) has already gone through a similar split, when Joe Lopez attempted to establish an alternative international structure.

The outcome was short-lived. But the pattern is recognizable:

separation, creation of a “new international” body, and flexible interpretation of history.

N.A.B.B.A.: “we have nothing to do with this”

Current N.A.B.B.A. president Eddy Ellwood has made it clear — the organization distances itself from any connection with the structure led by G. Lancefield.

This is not diplomatic language. It is a direct disassociation.

And a clear signal that the issue goes far beyond a simple misunderstanding.

Who pays the price?

While officials argue over history, the real cost is paid by the athletes.

They are invited into competitions that:

use well-known and prestigious names, rely on unclear or disputed origins, and sometimes create impressions that may not reflect reality.

Athletes come for sport — but find themselves in the middle of organizational conflict.

How long can the obvious be ignored?

If an organization relies on history — it must be verifiable.
If it uses names — they must be legitimate.
If it claims international status — it must be recognized, not self-declared.

Otherwise, one word remains: imitation.

Courts as the next step?

More and more frequently, legal action is being mentioned in relation to:

use of organizational names, appropriation of historical events, and potentially misleading information.

If that happens, the debate will end. Only facts — and rulings — will remain.

No diplomacy left

International sport cannot be built on vague histories and questionable narratives.

Today, the question is no longer “who is right.”
The question is — who can prove it.

And perhaps more importantly:
how long will the sporting community tolerate a reality where history becomes a tool, rather than a fact?

Official documents and more information is on International Site www.wff.lt

BEFORE THE 37TH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP –
INTERNATIONAL COACHES AND REFEREES SEMINAR

After welcoming  300 athletes in Klaipėda, we expect large number of participants in Nida. The October competition will last three days. The seminar will introduce completely new categories.

In preparation for the 37-th WFF-WBBF World Amateur and Professional Championship, which will take place on October 24–25, 2026, at the Neringa “Agila” Cultural Cultural Center, the WFF-WBBF World Federation together with the International Sport University will organize an International Trainers and Judges Seminar in Klaipėda on September 27, 2026.

Participants of the seminar will be awarded corresponding international qualifications.

During the event, new fitness categories will be introduced, athlete evaluation criteria discussed, and important judging issues reviewed. The organizers emphasize their commitment to gradually returning to the classical understanding of bodybuilding based on aesthetics, symmetry, and professionalism.

Part of the seminar lectures and practical sessions are expected to be conducted by a unique guest professor — currently the world’s only old-school professional posing virtuoso.

Final details are now being coordinated, and the organizers expect the program to remain unchanged.

More information coming soon. Follow International Pages www.wff.lt and www.worldfitness.lt

LEGENDARY “AMBER PRIX”.

1968 “Amber Prix International”.

Following the successful inaugural competition held in 1967, the bodybuilders of Klaipėda continued to foster the traditions of athletic gymnastics. In 1968, the second “Amber Prix” tournament became an international event, bringing together athletes from the Lithuanian SSR, Latvian SSR, and the Russian SFSR.

That same year, during an international tournament held in Kaunas, the “USSR Bodybuilding Federation” (Athletic Gymnastics Commission) was established to coordinate the development of bodybuilding throughout the Soviet Union. Five members were elected to the federation’s executive board, including two Lithuanians: Vytautas Zumeris and Valerijus Koreškovas.

During the “Amber Prizx” tournament in Klaipėda, the federation also held a meeting to discuss current organizational matters and the further development of the sport.

Competition Results

(top three places only)

Youth Group

Height Category 1

Pavel Tarakanov (Vilnius, Lithuanian SSR) Vytautas Venclauskas (Kėdainiai, Lithuanian SSR) Osvaldas Griskevicius (Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR)

Height Category 2

Valdas Aliubavicius (Vilnius, Lithuanian SSR) Algis Jonkus (Palanga, Lithuanian SSR) Valdas Kapcevicius (Kėdainiai, Lithuanian SSR)

Height Category 3

Arvydas Lekstutis (Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR) Vidmantas Povilionis (Klaipėda, Lithuanian SSR) Jurij Tiurikov (Kėdainiai, Lithuanian SSR)

Adult Group

Height Category 1

Klemensas Alsauskas (Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR) Jevgenij Koltun (Tyumen, Russian SFSR) Girsas Langevicius (Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR)

Height Category 2

Lionginas Danilevicius (Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR) Alfonsas Mecius (Klaipėda, Lithuanian SSR) Mecislovas Seibokas (Ukmergė, Lithuanian SSR)

Height Category 3

Leonas Pivoriunas (Vilnius, Lithuanian SSR) Antanas Mineikis (Klaipėda, Lithuanian SSR) Danil Pasternak (Riga, Latvian SSR)

Overall Winners

Valdas Aliubavicius – overall winner of the youth group Leonas Pivoriunas – overall winner of the adult group.

More detailed information is on International Site www.wff.lt

LEGENDARY “AMBER PRIX”.

1968 “Amber Prix International”.

Following the successful inaugural competition held in 1967, the bodybuilders of Klaipėda continued to foster the traditions of athletic gymnastics. In 1968, the second “Amber Prix” tournament became an international event, bringing together athletes from the Lithuanian SSR, Latvian SSR, and the Russian SFSR.

That same year, during an international tournament held in Kaunas, the “USSR Bodybuilding Federation” (Athletic Gymnastics Commission) was established to coordinate the development of bodybuilding throughout the Soviet Union. Five members were elected to the federation’s executive board, including two Lithuanians: Vytautas Zumeris and Valerijus Koreškovas.

During the “Amber Prizx” tournament in Klaipėda, the federation also held a meeting to discuss current organizational matters and the further development of the sport.

Competition Results

(top three places only)

Youth Group

Height Category 1

Pavel Tarakanov (Vilnius, Lithuanian SSR) Vytautas Venclauskas (Kėdainiai, Lithuanian SSR) Osvaldas Griskevicius (Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR)

Height Category 2

Valdas Aliubavicius (Vilnius, Lithuanian SSR) Algis Jonkus (Palanga, Lithuanian SSR) Valdas Kapcevicius (Kėdainiai, Lithuanian SSR)

Height Category 3

Arvydas Lekstutis (Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR) Vidmantas Povilionis (Klaipėda, Lithuanian SSR) Jurij Tiurikov (Kėdainiai, Lithuanian SSR)

Adult Group

Height Category 1

Klemensas Alsauskas (Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR) Jevgenij Koltun (Tyumen, Russian SFSR) Girsas Langevicius (Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR)

Height Category 2

Lionginas Danilevicius (Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR) Alfonsas Mecius (Klaipėda, Lithuanian SSR) Mecislovas Seibokas (Ukmergė, Lithuanian SSR)

Height Category 3

Leonas Pivoriunas (Vilnius, Lithuanian SSR) Antanas Mineikis (Klaipėda, Lithuanian SSR) Danil Pasternak (Riga, Latvian SSR)

Overall Winners

Valdas Aliubavicius – overall winner of the youth group Leonas Pivoriunas – overall winner of the adult group.

More detailed information is on International Site www.wff.lt

BODYBUILDING – NO LONGER A SPORT? Who Destroyed Bodybuilding in Lithuania?

Today, the crisis of bodybuilding is openly discussed not only in Lithuania but throughout the world. For many people it has already become obvious why this sport has lost its authority, popularity, and athletic value. Only a few know the real actors behind this process, but today we can calmly look back at history and facts.

The global turning point came around 1990, when professional wrestling magnate Vince McMahon attempted to take over professional bodybuilding and transform it into a commercial entertainment show. At that moment, bodybuilding began rapidly moving away from the principles of traditional sport.

Soon afterward, many of the most famous female professional bodybuilders left the sport forever, including Corinna Everson. This was a clear sign that bodybuilding was fundamentally changing.

Another major blow came in 1998, when the International Olympic Committee refused to recognize the IFBB federation and, consequently, did not recognize bodybuilding as an Olympic sport. From that moment it became clear that bodybuilding had lost any realistic chance of being considered a fully legitimate sport. Although IFBB federations in some countries still receive government funding, in many cases this continues more out of inertia than because of genuine sporting value.

The Situation in Lithuania

For decades Lithuania was one of the strongest bodybuilding nations in Eastern Europe. Today, however, its influence on the international stage has practically disappeared. The bodybuilding community knows very well who is responsible for this situation.

For many years, the Lithuanian IFBB federation publicly attacked other organizations, accusing their athletes of using doping substances. Yet statistics speak for themselves — IFBB athletes themselves have repeatedly appeared in doping scandals, and the list of such cases seems endless.

Because of the current IFBB policies, many real bodybuilders have left the federation. Those who remain usually compete in events where doping control is either weak or purely symbolic.

This was clearly visible at this year’s Lithuanian IFBB Championship in Kėdainiai. Any experienced observer could easily notice that there were practically no athletes on stage representing the idea of natural bodybuilding.

The situation in regional competitions is even more disappointing. At a recent event in Šiauliai, only four bodybuilders and six women of questionable athletic quality participated. This demonstrates not growth, but a deepening crisis.

Alternative Directions

Meanwhile, the level of athletes competing in NAC championships remains relatively high, with some competitors displaying truly international-level conditioning. However, even there the number of participants remains limited.

The international WFF-WBBF federation has chosen a completely different direction. For many years, the federation has been developing original fitness and aesthetic sport disciplines while searching for new formats and audiences.

A few weeks ago, WFF-WBBF competitions held in Klaipėda attracted as many as 289 athletes. This proves that an alternative path may have real potential.

Interestingly, various international organizations are increasingly copying WFF-WBBF ideas. Recently, IFBB organized its first exhibition aerial acrobatic fitness competition in Spain — a discipline that has long existed within the WFF-WBBF system.

When there are no original ideas of your own, copying others becomes the only option.

Can Bodybuilding Recover?

Today, classical bodybuilding worldwide has nearly reached rock bottom. The number of competitors is declining, public interest is fading, and sporting credibility continues to disappear.

However, this does not mean everything is lost.

There are new directions, new disciplines, and a new understanding of aesthetic physical culture. A more modern model must be developed — one that appeals to younger generations, preserves athletic value, and is not confined to the outdated structure of traditional bodybuilding.

The road will not be short, and it will not be easy.

But time will tell — perhaps we will succeed.

More information is on International Site www.wff.lt

1967 COMPETITIONS IN KLAIPĖDA.
THE BEGINNING OF THE “AMBER PRIX”.

In 1967, the first “Amber Prix” tournament held in Klaipėda became one of the most significant events in the history of bodybuilding sport. The competition marked the beginning of a tradition that has continued for six decades, making the “Amber Prix” one of the oldest bodybuilding tournaments in in the World today.

In Europe, only the National Amateur Body Building Association “Universe” contest, organized in England since 1950, has a longer history, while in the United States the “Mr. Olympia” contest has been held since 1965. Following these events, the Klaipėda-based “Amber Prix” continues its own distinguished history and traditions.

During the 1960s, a new sport emerged in Lithuania — bodybuilding. At that time, it was officially called “athletic gymnastics,” as the Western term “bodybuilding” was politically unacceptable in the Soviet Union. The sport rapidly gained popularity, and regular competitions began to be organized, including the “Amber Prix” tournaments. Viewed from today’s perspective, these events reflect not only the history of Lithuanian bodybuilding, but also that of the entire socialist world of the period. It was here that fitness later emerged as an independent sports discipline.

The first “Amber Prix” tournament took place in April 1967 at the Klaipėda Polytechnic School. The main organizer of the event was Antanas Jonuškutis (1942–2003). The competition consisted of two parts: in the first, athletes competed in strength exercises, while in the second they demonstrated muscular development and physical aesthetics.

A total of fourteen athletes participated in the inaugural tournament. Among them were already well-known competitors from Kaunas — Algimantas Ramanauskas (1944–2022), Primas Bieliūnas, Klemensas Alšauskas, and Gintautas Šiuolis. The winner of the first “Amber Prix” tournament was Klemensas Alšauskas.

More details are on International Site www.wff.lt

2026 INTERNATIONAL TRAINERS AND JUDGES SEMINAR IN KLAIPĖDA.

WE WILL DEVELOP NEW FITNESS CATEGORIES.

WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO TURN BODYBUILDING INTO NORMAL SPORT.

In preparation for the 37-th WFF-WBBF World Amateur and Professional Championship, which will take place on October 24–25, 2026, at the Neringa “Agila” Cultural Cultural Center, the WFF-WBBF World Federation together with the International Sport University will organize an International Trainers and Judges Seminar in Klaipėda on September 27, 2026.

Participants of the seminar will be awarded corresponding international qualifications.

During the event, new fitness categories will be introduced, athlete evaluation criteria discussed, and important judging issues reviewed. The organizers emphasize their commitment to gradually returning to the classical understanding of bodybuilding based on aesthetics, symmetry, and professionalism.

Part of the seminar lectures and practical sessions are expected to be conducted by a unique guest professor — currently the world’s only old-school professional posing virtuoso.

Final details are now being coordinated, and the organizers expect the program to remain unchanged.

More information coming soon. Follow International Pages www.wff.lt and www.worldfitness.lt

Dr. Edmundas Daubaras Initiated the Establishment of the USSR Bodybuilding Federation in 1986.

Facts Known by Few.

During Mikhail Gorbachev’s period of “perestroika,” the persecution of bodybuilding in the Soviet Union became more formal than real. After the international “Amber Prix” tournament held in 1986, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras invited the most influential figures in Soviet bodybuilding of that time to his apartment. Among them were representatives of the RSFSR, Vladimir Subov and Vladimir Dubinin, as well as the representative of the Ukrainian SSR, Arkadij Kasanskij.

Vladimir Dubinin had been invited to the “Amber Prix” tournament by Dr. Edmundas Daubaras. Vladimir Dubinin after losing at the 1974 “Georg Tenno Memorial” competition, had withdrawn from sports activities for thirteen years and had almost completely disappeared from the bodybuilding community.

The main topic of the meeting was the necessity of establishing an official USSR Bodybuilding Federation. Dr. Edmundas Daubaras explained the existing situation to the RSFSR representatives and proposed initiating the federation’s creation. Preparatory work through the USSR Weightlifting Federation was to be carried out by the RSFSR representatives.

Why Was Romanas Kalinauskas Not Present at the Meeting?

There were several reasons for not inviting him. Earlier, Romanas Kalinauskas had not supported Dr. Edmundas Daubaras in his struggle against the ban on bodybuilding. According to witnesses, he had stated that he would not “risk his Communist Party membership card.” Moreover, he repeatedly obstructed Dr. Edmundas Daubaras’ initiatives. However, once the petition of Dr. EDmundas Daubaras defending bodybuilding succeeded and the situation changed, Romanas Kalinauskas stood beside those who had actively fought for the recognition of the sport.

Beginning in 1975, during university student exchange programs, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras visited Czechoslovakia several times. There he met with the President of the Czechoslovak SSR Bodybuilding Federation, Vojtech Fiala, and Vice President Professor František Bulva.

Under supervision of the sport ministry of the Czechoslovakian SSR it was agreed that the best Czechoslovak bodybuilders would be invited to Lithuania within the framework of the “Amber Prix” tournament, and later the strongest USSR athletes would travel to compete in Czechoslovakia. The first joint competition was scheduled for 1979.

However, seeing that Dr. Edmundas Daubaras’ plans were nearing implementation, Romanas Kalinauskas allegedly sabotaged the project, which had been prepared for several years, by filing complaints with various authorities. According to contemporaries, the primary reason was personal ambition and jealousy, as he himself had not contributed to what was then considered a unique international bodybuilding initiative.

History offers many examples of individuals who, lacking the courage or ability to act themselves, attempt to obstruct those who take initiative and strive for change.

Get much more detailed information and documents on International Site 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

WOMEN
Year, Champion's Name, Country.
2026 NORGARD JASMIN, Kingdom of Denmark

2025 BOGACZ OLGA, Poland

2024 IVANOVA JELENA, Latvia

2023 POVILONIENE VILMA, Lithuania

2022 SOBOLEWSKA KUCHARSKA ANNA, Poland

2021 SKYTTA HANNA, Finland

2020 SKYTTA HANNA, Finland

2019 MAZUMDER MOUMITA, India

2018 BROGGIA NERINA, Argentina
2017 HALAVEI HALINA, Cyprus
2016 TOLEDO YAMILA VANESSA, Argentina
2015 VLASOVA MARINA, Russia
2014 SOROKINA-KUKRES ALEKSANDRA, Lithuania
2013 TOLEDO YAMILA VANESSA, Argentina
2012 KOZLOVSKAJA VALENTINA, Belarus
2011 TOLEDO YAMILA VANESSA, Argentina
2010 VLASOVA VERA, Russia
2009 ISIDOROVA ALINA, Latvia
2008 TOLEDO YAMILA VANESSA, Argentina
2007 JELENA FRENKEL, Israel
2006 MILERIUTE JOLANTA, Lithuania
2005 JAKOVLEVA OLGA, Russia
2004 BORISOVA SVETLANA, Latvia
2003 PUGACHEVA SVETLANA, Russia
2002 DEGUTIENE LILIJA, Lithuania
2001 GLAGOLEVA VIKTORIA, Russia
2000 BURINSKAJA MARINA, Latvia
1999 MISEVICIENE SIMONA, Lithuania
1998 MISEVICIENE SIMONA, Lithuania
1997 MISEVICIENE SIMONA, Lithuania
1996 KAMINSKAITE IDALIJA, Lithuania
1995 KOVALKO TATJANA, Belarus
1994 KAMINSKAITE IDALIJA, Lithuania
1991 MURNIKOVIENE NATALIA, Lithuania
1990 MURNIKOVIENE NATALIA, Lithuania.

International Secretary UGNE RAUDYTE - DAUBARIENE

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

THE BODYBUILDING CIRCUS TRAVELS ACROSS THE WORLD.

“Mouse Federations” in Bodybuilding: Explanations for Athletes.

More than three decades ago, during joint meetings with athletes, we used to explain the fundamental legal truths of our sport. This should be the alphabet of every athlete. Today we see that the subject remains relevant, although uncomfortable for many.

Many athletes participate in countless insignificant competitions, invest time, effort, and money, celebrate titles and victories, yet in terms of sports history and official recognition, the final result is often questionable. Everyone may decide for themselves why this happens.

THE FIRST STEP – AN INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION.

Today, more than forty different “international” bodybuilding organizations exist worldwide. However, the legal and sporting status of many of them raises serious questions. None of them is recognized by the global sports system as a whole.

After Lithuania regained independence, many believed integration into the Western sports world would open new opportunities. Yet direct cooperation with various international organizations gradually revealed that many of them were more declarative than genuinely influential sports structures.

I.F.B.B. (International Federation of BodyBuilders).

From 1947 to 1969, official bodybuilding worldwide was governed by F.I.H.C. (Fédération Internationale Haltérophile et Culturiste), a member organization connected to the International Olympic Committee. Its activities were strongly supported by American sports promoter Bob Hoffman.

In 1970, F.I.H.C. Secretary General Oscar State initiated the establishment of the international I.F.B.B. federation during the Belgrade Congress. Prior to that, I.F.B.B. had operated as a private company without official sporting status.

In 1971, I.F.B.B. became a member of G.A.I.S.F. and assumed leadership of official bodybuilding worldwide. However, in 1998 the International Olympic Committee terminated cooperation with I.F.B.B., and bodybuilding never became an Olympic sport.

Since then, bodybuilding’s position within official international sport has significantly weakened. Today, only some countries — mostly former socialist states and several Asian nations — still allocate state funding to the sport.

N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association).

Lithuania cooperated with the international N.A.B.B.A. organization from 1991 to 2005. Over time, it became clear that the organization functioned more as a club-style association with internal problems and a relatively weak international structure.

Following the death of long-time leader Oscar Heidenstam, the organization lacked strong international leadership, and its influence in the sports world gradually declined.

W.F.F. (World Fitness Federation).

In 1995, seeking to distance themselves from the increasingly extreme direction of professional bodybuilding, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, Klaus Hoffmann, Anargiros Tsopouridis, and Peter Papula established the W.F.F. federation.

W.F.F. activities rapidly expanded in Lithuania. Between 1996 and 1998, European Championships were organized in Klaipėda, Vilnius, and Palanga with support from the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.

In 1998, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras officially registered the World W.F.F. Federation and organized the World Championship in Palanga. Later events in Vilnius and Klaipėda attracted considerable international attention and state support.

The 2005 W.F.F. World Championship in Vilnius featured 742 athletes from 42 countries. Several events were broadcast by Eurosport television.

Graeme Lancefield’s W.F.F..

Several years ago another W.F.F. organization emerged, associated with Australian promoter Graeme Lancefield. Disputes arose regarding the federation’s name, historical legacy, and rights to use the heritage of earlier events.

This conflict reflects a broader problem within bodybuilding — numerous competing organizations whose legal status and international recognition are often unclear.

N.A.C. (National Athletic Committee).

N.A.C. emerged after a split within the German W.F.F. structure. The organization mainly operated within Europe and never achieved major global recognition.

Despite more than two decades of activity, N.A.C. never became a significant international sports force.

N.P.C. (National Physique Committee).

In 1983, the N.P.C. organization was established in the United States and became closely connected to I.F.B.B. activities in America. For many years, it controlled amateur bodybuilding in the U.S.

After the end of the Weider brothers’ era, N.P.C. separated from I.F.B.B. and began operating independently on the international stage. Today, competition between the two organizations continues over influence and commercial interests.

W.A.B.B.A. (World Amateur Body Building Association).

W.A.B.B.A. emerged following the conflict between Serge Nubret and the I.F.B.B. leadership. The organization never became a fully structured international federation, and its activities often relied on personal initiatives rather than institutional foundations.

In Lithuania, W.A.B.B.A.’s presence was episodic and left little significant impact on national sports history.

OTHER FEDERATIONS AND TODAY’S REALITY.

Over recent decades, bodybuilding has seen the emergence of numerous new organizations and categories. Some focus less on sporting excellence and more on commercial entertainment or niche audiences.

Bodybuilding today is more fragmented than ever before. Many federations compete with one another while lacking broad international recognition or long-term strategic direction.

At the same time, the concept of bodybuilding itself has changed. New categories emphasize aesthetics, image, or commercial appeal. Some view this as the natural evolution of the sport, while others see it as a departure from the principles of classical bodybuilding.

CONCLUSION.

The history of bodybuilding demonstrates that a large number of federations does not automatically mean a stronger sport. Athletes should understand not only competition titles and rankings, but also the legal status, international recognition, and actual standing of the organizations they represent.

Only by understanding these differences can athletes objectively evaluate their achievements and their future in the sport.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt