WORLD BODYBUILDING ENCYCLOPEDIA.

1983 SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING NEWS.

In general there was nothing extraordinary in socialist bodybuilding in 1983. The bodybuilding sport was still prohibited but the prosecution was not so strong.

It was important that in 1978 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS wrote petition to defend bodybuilding when during the prohibition of bodybuilding everybody was afraid to do something. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS personally brought the petition to Moscow and presented it to the U.S.S.R. highest political institutions including the Central Committee of the U.S.S.R. Communist party (Центральный Комитет К.П.С.С. С.С.С.Р.). Due to this the polititians permited to organize in Klaipeda (Lithuanian SSR) the „Amber Prix International“ („Gintarinis prizas“, «Янтарный приз», 1968 – 2023). 1978 „Amber Prix International“ was the first public competition after the prohibition. This contest for ten years became the „unofficial U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Championship“ («неофициальный чемпионат С.С.С.Р. по культуризму»). Best U.S.S.R. bodybuilders used to participate at the „Amber Prix International“ every year. Year by years bodybuilding contests were held in other places too. The winners of 1983 „Amber Prix International“ were Lithuanians ROLANDAS BUCINSKAS (Juniors) and VINCAS DUBICKAS (Main Categories).

After „Amber Prix International“ another U.S.S.R. bodybuilding contest was „Georg Tenno Memorial“ (Мемориал Георга тенно», 1971 - 1989) held in Tallinn (Estonian SSR). The Over All Winners of the 1983 „Georg Tenno Memorial“ were ROLANDAS BUCINSKAS (Lithuania SSR) and ARKADI AJU (Estonian SSR). The secretary of the „unofficial U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ («формальная федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.») ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS went on with his intriques. He tried to prohibit ROMNDAS BUCINSKAS to particiapte at the 1983 „Georg Tenno Memorial“. Then DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS trough his friend INNAR MARDO (1946 – 2002 m., Иннар Мардо) ruined his plans and this way ROLANDAS BUCUNSKAS was among „Georg Tenno Memorial“ participants“. By the way, INNAR MARDO until his death was the President of the National Federation W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Estonia.

In Kaunas (Lithuanian SSR) still was organized „Comsomol Cup“ („Komjaunimo taurė“, «Кубок комсомола»). Junior Winners were JURIJ POPOV (Юрий Попов, R.S.F.S.R.), VIKTORAS JUCYS, RAIMONDAS KAZAKEVICIUS and the Winners of the Main Categories were STANISLAV PLOIAKOV (Станислав Поляков, Latvian SSR), VINCAS DUBICKAS, SAULIUS MISEVICIUS, RAIMONDAS IVANAUSKAS. All of the Winners were from the Lithuanian SSR except JURIJ POPOV and STANISLAV POLIAKOV.

First time after bodybuilding prohibition a contest was organized by VASILIJ BESPALENKO (Василий Беспаленко) in Lvov (Ukraine SSR). The Over All Winners were ARVYDAS JARUMBAUSKAS (Lithuanian SSR) and the mentioned above STANISLAV POLIAKOV.

Only Estonian SSR presented the U.S.S.R. at the 1983 traditional „Trener“ contest in Czechoslovakian SSR. It was led by PRANAS MICKEVICIUS. Bodybuilders of the Estonian SSR did not support PRANAS MICKEVICIUS as the Estonians still were fighting in between. Bodybuilders were on the side of INNAR MARDO who was overturned by OLEV ANNUS in 1979. Having no athletes this way PRANAS MICKEVICIUS went to Czechoslovakia with SAULIUS MISEVICIUS (Lithuanian SSR).

Of all Socialist countries only bodybuilders of the Czechoslovakian SSR had possibilities to go to the „Western“ Capitalist countries and participate at the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders)  contests. Representatives of other Socialist countries could only dream of this. To go abroad everybody needed the official invitation accepted by the Ministries of Foreign affairs of their counttries. This was the „Amber Prix International“ and the „Georg Tenno Memorial“ had extremelly huge importance in the U.S.S.R..

Once the former Prime Minister of the Lithuanian Republic GEDIMINAS KIRKILAS said that Socialist bodybuilding was a kind of resistance to the Communist regime. By the way, GEDIMINAS KIRKILAS was the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 2004 W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation)  World Championship in Vilnius (Lithuanian Republic). We would like to remind that in 2011 the Official meeting of the President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was held in Vatican. Vatican Congregat Prefect Cardinal J. Em. JOZEF TOMKO speaking about the bodybuilding in the Socialist countries named our activities as „dissidental“ towards the Communist regime. Due to this Vatican Congregat Prefect Cardinal J. Em. JOZEF TOMKO awarded DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS with the Medal of the Vatican Pontific (Medaglia Ufficiale di Pontificato di Sua Santita Benedetto XVI, Headquarters State Vatican, Cita del Vaticano, March 29, 2011).

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

2026 MEGA EVENTS INTERNATIONAL

37-th Am-Pro World Championship

45-th Am-Pro „World Grand Prix“

3-d „Neringa Mayor‘s Cup“

October 24 - 25, 2026, „Agila“ Palace,  Nida Resort, Lithuania

Official Documents, Articles, Statistics on Global Page www.wff.lt

CONTEST REGISTRATION on www.worldfitness.lt

2026 SPORT NEWS INTERNATIONAL.

REPORT OF W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. JAPAN.

We are pleased to announce that the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Japan has officially decided to support the “IORIMPIA and W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. JAPAN” event planned for 2027 in Tajimi City.

This important cooperation agreement was arranged by our federation’s appointed W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International President in Japan, Iori Nishizawa. Permission has also been granted to use the embassy’s logo. This regional event is growing into an international fitness event connecting countries and people. This is a significant new step for our federation. The embassy’s support has given us even stronger trust and a solid foundation for future growth. We will continue working together with local administration and many partners toward the successful organization of the event.

The city details, exact date, and full official program are still being finalized. A great beginning!

Official Information is on International Site www.wff.lt

When the “Amber Prix” Had to Hide: The Story of Klaipėda’s Bodybuilding Breakthrough.

Bodybuilding was banned. Official clubs did not exist. Competitions could end in trouble. Yet in Klaipėda, athletes did not stop. They trained in a bomb shelter, competed in a prison basement, gathered in school gyms, and eventually stepped into the public eye. In this way, one of Lithuania’s most determined bodybuilding movements preserved and continued the tradition of the “Amber Prix.”

Today, as the 60th anniversary of one of the world’s oldest traditional bodybuilding competitions, the “Amber Prix,” approaches, it is difficult to imagine the circumstances under which this tournament survived. Today, the “Amber Prix” is associated with the stage, athletes, judges, spectators, and international bodybuilding. But there was a time when simply wanting to train was already a kind of challenge to the system. Bodybuilding was banned in socialist countries. Officially, it was supposed to disappear. In Klaipėda, it did not disappear. It went underground.

The Beginning – Before the Ban

The beginnings of bodybuilding in Klaipėda were shaped by Antanas Jonuškutis. He established a sports club on the premises of the Polytechnic and organized the first four “Amber Prix” tournaments, held in 1967, 1968, 1969, and 1970. These were the days when bodybuilding was only beginning to find its place in Lithuania’s sporting life. The first clubs, athletes, and competitions appeared. At the same time, however, competition was growing.

In 1970, Antanas Jonuškutis withdrew from organizational activities and completely distanced himself from bodybuilding. For some time, Klaipėda no longer had a single clear center. Athletes trained wherever and however they could. But this was only the calm before the storm.

A Bomb Shelter Becomes a Bodybuilding Club

The year 1971 became a turning point in Klaipėda’s bodybuilding history.

Vytautas Daubaras, an employee of the Klaipėda State Seaport, obtained premises in a bomb shelter belonging to the port on Sportininkų Street for young athletes to train. This was how the “Gintaras” club was established. The location itself sounds almost unbelievable today. A bomb shelter—a place intended to protect people from the dangers of war—became a place where young people were building their sporting futures. The “Gintaras” club quickly became the main bodybuilding center in Klaipėda. Around one hundred enthusiasts attended the club. These were no longer isolated athletes. They were a community. And this community was soon to face a ban.

When Sport Went Underground

The ban on bodybuilding changed everything.

The operation of official clubs became impossible, and competitions became illegal. Athletes had to choose: give up the sport they loved or continue training despite the circumstances. The people of Klaipėda chose the second path. Training did not stop. It moved to places that did not need to be spoken about openly.

In 1973, Edmundas Daubaras organized an illegal bodybuilding competition in the basement of the old city prison. The prison basement became the competition venue. That day, the athletes stepped onto the stage knowing that their sport was officially banned. In the senior category, Mindaugas Liaugaudas won, while Algimantas Ratas took first place among the juniors. These results matter not only because someone won. What mattered most was that the competition took place at all.

46 Athletes Defying the Ban

That same year, in 1973, Edmundas Daubaras brought together athletes from illegally operating clubs in Vilnius and organized a strength-dueling competition in Vilnius. Forty-six athletes from Vilnius, Klaipėda, and Šiauliai took part. The ban could close clubs, but it could not so easily destroy the connections between people. Athletes found one another. They met. They trained. They competed. In this way, not only their physical condition but also Lithuania’s bodybuilding community was preserved.

The “Amber Prix” Returns to Klaipėda

In 1974, a tournament for the “Amber Prix” was held at the “Gintaras” club, in the same bomb shelter on Sportininkų Street. Athletes from four underground bodybuilding clubs in Klaipėda took part. The competition was a full-fledged event. The athletes performed strength exercises, demonstrated the compulsory poses, and presented a free routine.

In the junior groups, the winners were Antanas Kazlauskas, Algimantas Ratas, and Sigitas Kišonas. In the youth categories, the strongest were Kęstutis Virketis and Evaldas Šorius. In the senior categories, the winners were Sigitas Vilutis and Vytautas Zenkevičius. Antanas Kazlauskas, Evaldas Šorius, and Vytautas Zenkevičius were named the overall winners in their respective age groups.

But behind the lines of the official results was something much more important. Every such victory was proof that the ban had not destroyed the sport.

The School Gym

In 1975, the “Amber Prix” tournament moved to one of Klaipėda’s general education schools. Athletes from Telšiai and Vilnius came to compete. In the junior groups, the winners were Leonidas Rodionovas, Rimas Apulskis, and Antanas Dobrodzejus. In the youth categories, first places went to Antanas Bašermanas, Algimantas Ruplys, and Aimontas Dolgichas. In the senior groups, the strongest were Vytautas Zenkevičius, Olegas Serovas, and Rišardas Krinickis. Rimas Apulskis, Algimantas Ruplys, and Rišardas Krinickis were named the overall winners.

The geography was expanding. Klaipėda was no longer the only point on the map. The bodybuilding movement was connecting different cities and different generations of athletes.

A Risky Step in Telšiai

In 1976, Edmundas Daubaras took another step.

He organized the “Amber Prix” tournament together with the “Žemaitija Cup” in Telšiai. The strength event took place at one of the city’s schools, while the physique presentation was held at the Telšiai Cultural Centre. This is where the story becomes particularly interesting. Bodybuilding was still banned. Yet the athletes had to appear in public. Edmundas Daubaras took a risk. He managed to convince the administration of the Cultural Centre that the event was not a violation. What is more, the Cultural Centre advertised the event to the residents of the city. And then something happened that perhaps few could have expected. The hall filled with people. Bodybuilding, which had been pushed underground, became a public spectacle for one evening. Athletes from Vilnius, Klaipėda, and Šiauliai took part in the competition. In the junior subcategories, the winners were Rimas Apulskis, Stasys Stanius, and Rimas Česaitis. In the youth categories, the winners were Antanas Bašermanas, Aimontas Dolgichas, and Evaldas Šorius. In the senior categories, the winners were Valentinas Vandys and Rišardas Krinickis. The overall winners were Rimas Apulskis, Evaldas Šorius, and Rišardas Krinickis. The competition went smoothly. Nothing happened that people had feared might happen.

And this changed Edmundas Daubaras’s understanding of what was possible.

1977: The Doors Open

After Telšiai, Edmundas Daubaras became even more confident.

With the assistance of his father, Vytautas Daubaras, the 1977 “Amber Prix” tournament was held at the Cultural Centre of the Klaipėda State Seaport. This time, only the physique presentation was included. There were no strength exercises. But the most important thing was not the program. It was the venue. A cultural centre. A public hall. Spectators. And athletes who only a few years earlier had competed in a prison basement were now standing before a packed audience. There was no official advertising. The spectators were brought to the event “live,” through word of mouth, by Klaipėda’s athletes themselves. The hall was packed with enthusiasts. Athletes from Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda took part. The journey from the bomb shelter to the Cultural Centre had been completed.

From the Underground to History

Looking back today, the journey seems almost symbolic.

In 1971, bodybuilding in Klaipėda found shelter in a bomb shelter.

In 1973, athletes competed in the basement of an old prison.

In 1974, the “Amber Prix” once again echoed underground.

In 1975, the competition was already being held in a school.

In 1976, the bodybuilders stepped onto the stage of the Telšiai Cultural Centre.

And in 1977, the “Amber Prix” appeared at the Cultural Centre of the Klaipėda State Seaport, before a packed audience. This was not merely a change in the geography of sporting events. It was a journey from the underground into the public eye. And along this journey, the most important thing was preserved: the tradition. During the years when bodybuilding was banned, it was not easy to train in Klaipėda. It was not easy to organize competitions. It was not even easy to meet with like-minded people. But there were people who refused to give up. Vytautas Daubaras provided a place for training. Edmundas Daubaras took the organizational risks. The athletes attended training sessions, prepared for competitions, and ignored the fact that their sport existed outside the official system. That is why the history of the “Amber Prix” is not simply a sequence of winners, records, and dates. It is a story of perseverance. A story about people who refused to let the tradition disappear. A story about a sport that, although banned, remained alive. And perhaps that is why, when looking back at the history of the “Amber Prix” today, it is important to remember not only those who stood on the stage and were announced as winners, but also those who took risks simply to make sure that the stage existed at all.

The “Amber Prix” never stopped. For a while, it simply took place where it was not supposed to.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt

The WFF-WBBF Professional “World Grand Prix” Held at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic

The history of the World WFF-WBBF Federation includes many remarkable international events, but one of the most memorable took place in 2012. That year, the professional “World Grand Prix” was organized at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Moscow—an exceptional occasion in the history of world bodybuilding, as a major international professional championship was hosted on the premises of a diplomatic mission.

The venue offered ideal conditions for such an event. The Slovak Cultural Center, owned by the Embassy, included a hotel and a modern concert hall, allowing athletes’ accommodation, the competition, and official ceremonies to be held in one location.

The WFF-WBBF amateur “World Grand Prix” tournaments have been organized since 1990, while the professional series began in 2010. Over the years, these competitions have become one of the Federation’s most prestigious international projects, bringing together leading athletes from different countries.

The 2012 tournament was organized by Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, President of the World WFF-WBBF Federation, Federation Vice President Andrej Basov, and Slovak patron of sport Štefan Hrčka. In recognition of his contribution to the development of the sport, the event was officially named the “Stefan Hrcka Pro World Grand Prix.”

Participation was by personal invitation only. Thirty-six professional athletes representing Iran, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Estonia, and Lithuania competed in two weight categories for a total prize fund of 30,000 US dollars. At the time, this was already the fourth WFF-WBBF professional tournament held in 2012 with the same substantial prize fund.

Winners Up to 90 kg Mikhail Malek (Russia) Shahram Hassankhani (Iran) David Tukhtayev (Russia) Over 90 kg Abolfazi Aghakhani (Iran) Mehdi Aghababaei (Iran) Aleksandr Shevtsov (Estonia)

Following the competition, an international press conference was held to present the activities of the World WFF-WBBF Federation and the official results of the professional championship. The press conference was organized by multiple “Universe” champion, official WFF-WBBF representative in the United States, Hollywood actor, producer, and director Alexander Nevsky.

Conclusions

The 2012 “Stefan Hrcka Pro World Grand Prix” became one of the most distinctive events in the history of the World WFF-WBBF Federation. Hosting the championship at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Moscow demonstrated not only an exceptional organizational standard but also the Federation’s growing international reputation and its close cooperation with diplomatic and public institutions.

The substantial prize fund, invitation-only participation, and international media coverage reflected the increasing prestige of professional bodybuilding within the WFF-WBBF movement. More than a decade later, this championship remains one of the Federation’s most unique and representative international professional events, highlighting its commitment to promoting bodybuilding on a truly global stage.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt