DOCTOR OF SCIENCES – DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA.

HIGH EVALUATION OF WORK DONE.
On June, 2013 the International President of the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation) EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS paid the Official Visit to the Ukraine City Lvov.
Having beautiful historic background and nice history rich with the original architectural monuments and buildings Lvov with it‘s 800 000 Citizen is a real old European City.
Coming to Lvov the President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was respectfully met by the Lvov City Official Representatives and who followed him to the best ancient Lvov City „Leopolis“ Hotel Apartments.

After the evaluation of the International work done by the President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS the Lvov Stavropigion University (started it‘s history in 1788) Academic Council presented EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS the Honorable Academic „University Science Doctor‘s“ Degree (Doctor Honoris Causa, Doctor of Sciences, DSc). And this is the Highest Academic Degree.
At the Lvov City Stavropigion University Honour Ceremony were present many High Representatives of Science, among them the Rector of Lvov Stavropigion University, Vice President the U.N.E.S.C.O. Program Centre Professor DSc. JAROSLAV KMIT (Ярослав Кмiт), the Rector Moscow University and Academic of the International Academy of Euroasia, Academic Science Academy of High Schools Ukraine, Professor VIKTOR IDZIO (Вiктор Iдзьо).

The Article will be continued.

More Information is on Global Site www.wff.lt

79 YEARS OF WORLD BODYBUILDING SPORT.

67 YEARS OF SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING.

BEGINNING.

Until now official World and Socialist bodybuilding history is presented as a mistake. The basis of the history is incorrect. It is a mistake when we use to say that bodybuilders built and developed sport of bodybuilding. No, not bodybuilders. Bodybuilders were training and participating at the competitions only. Do winning bodybuilders developed sport anyhow? No, not at all. For bodybuilders somebody else had to organize competitions, to get permeations, support, venue places, awards and to collect participants. To say more – somebody had to publicize information about contests and bodybuilders. Otherwise until now nobody would even hear anything about a single bodybuilder.

All bodybuilding organizations, federations were created not by bodybuilders. Organizations were created by functioneers and organizers. During the history of bodybuilding sport there were only few Internationally important persons - organizers. Organizers are the main persons of bodybuilding sport. We will speak shortly in this article. Anyway it will be a long story to put it down.

BEGINNING OF BODYBUILDING SPORT.

As we have spoken before we will present only short information. Each our story can be developed into a long article. For detailed information look on International Site www.wff.lt

Contemporary N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) history writer SI SWEENEY in his articles even does not mention the real first “Mr. Universe” contest. Also he writes incorrect information about the second “Mr. Universe” competition.

The same do writers who write about the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) history. These they underline that there was nothing before the WEIDER brothers JOE and BEN I.F.B.B. Commercial Company. They neglect the previous BOB HOFFMAN’s (Robert Collins Hoffman, 1898 - 1985 m.) “Bodybuilding Empire” which WEIDER brothers copied from beginning to the very end.

Many people want to rise themselves and they create unreal stories. Next followers use their creations and go on developing them.

1947. FIRST “MR. UNIVERSE” CONTEST.

The first real “Bodybuilding Empire” was created through the A.A.U. (Amateur Athletic Union)  in the USA by American BOBO HOFFMAN. In real A.A.U. united USA National Federations and it was the Ministry of Sport in the USA. They use to call BOBO HOFFMAN “the father of America Weightlifting”. A.A.U. since 1939 was organizing USA bodybuilding “Mr. America” contests. BOB HOFFMAN wanted to make bodybuilding an official recognized sport through A.A.U. and F.I.H. (Federation Internationale Halterophile). USA weightlifting though A.A.U. was a member of the International Weightlifting Federation F.I.H. Later F.I.H. name was changed to F.I.H.C. (F.I.H.C., Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturisme) when F.I.H. started ruling World’s bodybuilding sport. BOB HOFFMAN decided to do the same with bodybuilding.

In 1947 F.I.H. organized the World Weightlifting Championship and International Congress in Philadelphia (USA). Under the efforts of BOB HOFFMAN the International Congress decided to lead and control World’s bodybuilding on official level. This way for twenty years bodybuilding became officially recognized sport. It was immediately decided to organize the first in Sport’s History International Bodybuilding “Mr. Universe” contest alongside with the F.I.H. World Weightlifting Championship in Philadelphia. Then the Over All “Mr. Universe” Champion was a pupil of BOB HOFFMAN a famous America weightlifter STEVE STANKO. That was a Historical Happening and STEVE STANKO became a Historical Person.

1948. SECOND “MR. UNIVERSE’ IN LONDON.

It was a tradition of F.I.H. not to organize World Weightlifting Championship in “Olympic” years. What to do with the second F.I.H. bodybuilding „Mr. Universe“ competition? Then the idea to organize the F.I.H. bodybuilding “Mr. Universe” during the 1948 “Olympic Games” struck BOB HOFFMAN. There were real ways because F.I.H. was a member of the International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.). BOB HOFFMAN addressed British OSCAR STATE who was the President of B.A.W.L.A. (British Amateur Weight Lifting Association) to assist him. At the same time B.A.W.L.A. asked the Chairmen of the British Bodybuilding “Health and Strength” Magazine to assist them too. Through F.I.H. departments in various countries B.A.W.L.A. invited athletes to the contest in London. At the same time BOB HOFFMAN brought USA bodybuilders to compete. There were 1800 spectators at the second F.I.H. “Mr. Universe” in London. All money profit of the competition went to B.A.W.L.A.. After several preliminary rounds the finalists were ANDRE DRAPP (France) and Americans JOHN GRIMEK and STEVE REEVES. JOHN GRIMEK was proclaimed the Over All Winner of the second F.I.H. “Mr. Universe”. STEVE REEVES spoke on microphone saying that “John Grimek is the greatest bodybuilder who ever lived“.

1950. FIRST N.A.B.B.A. “MR. UNIVERSE”.

In 1950 under the efforts of the Chairmen of “Health and Strength” Magazine N.A.B.B.A. association was created in the Great Britain. As the former N.A.B.B.A. President  IVAN DUNBAR told us – N.A.B.B.A. Association was juridically registered as a „Public Club“. In 1950 N.A.B.B.A. organized the first “Mr. Universe” in London. The Over All Champion was STEVE REEVES (USA). At the same time a member of the International Olympic Committee F.I.H.C. went on organizing it’s own “Mr. Universe” contest. Comparing with N.A.B.B.A. “Mr. Universe” F.I.H.C. competitions were the official ones. For the two decades no one could confront F.I.H.C. as the official Bodybuilding Sport was under F.I.H.C. control. Even the Commercial I.F.B.B. Company of the WEIDER  brothers JOE and BEN could not imagine to think being equal to F.I.H.C..

1959. BOB HOFFMAN BRINGS BODYBUILDING TO SOCIALIST COUNTRIES.

In 1959 the USA „Father of Weightlifting“ BOB HOFFMAN through the International Weightlifting Federation F.I.H.C. first time brought bodybuilding sport to the Socialist Countries. That was the World Weightlifting Championship in Warszawa - the Capital of the Polish Democratic Republic. Then F.I.H.C. organized the traditional bodybuilding „Mr. Universe“ in Warszawa too. Over All Winner was GUY MEIRCZUK (born in 1936, France). Right after this Bodybuilding Committe of Poland was created.  First President was the „Father of Polish Bodybuilding“ STANISLAW ZAKRZEWSKI.

IN 1963 FIRST INTERNATIONAL BODYBUILDING ORGANIZATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN SOCIALIST WORLD.

In 1963 under direct influence American BOB HOFFMAN  and British OSCAR STATE and the initiative of the F.I.H.C. (F.I.H., Federation Internationale Halterophile, later F.I.H.C., Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturiste, later I.W.F., International Weightlifting Federation) in the U.S.S.R. was established first International Bodybuilding Organization (Общественный комитет атлетической гимнастики С.С.С.Р.). of the Socialist World. The U.S.S.R. Sport Ministry (Goskomsport, Госкомспорт С.С.С.Р.) appointed a known Russia weightlifter ROMAN MOROZ (Роман Мороз) as the President of this Organization. Then the U.S.S.R. was not ready to face this innovation and the new organization worked only formally. We would like to underline that the I.F.B.B. federation (International Federation of Body Builders) was created only in 1970 in Belgrade (Yugoslavia) by the General Secretary F.I.H.C. OSCAR STATE.

Real bodybuilding started in 1968 when another new Organization was created in Lithuania. Again the formal Chairman of the new Organization was the above mentioned ROMAN MOROZ. He was the man to connect bodybuilders with the Ministry of Sport of the U.S.S.R.. In real bodybuilding sport in the U.S.S.R. was governed by other people. They were Russian GENADIJ BALDIN (Геннадий Балдин) and two Lithuanians VALERIJ KORESHKOV  (Валерий Корешков) and VYTAUTAS ZUMERIS. That were the requirements of the „communist times and the communist regime“.

1966. FIRST SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION.

In 1966 a bodybuilding contest was organized in Moscow (Russia) where the winner was IGOR PETRUCHIN (Игорь Петрухин, Russia). Also in 1966 the first in the Socialist Countries International Bodybuilding competition was organized in Vilnius (Lithuania). The Winners were IGOR PETRUCHIN, RYTIS MACIJAUSKAS and KLEMENSAS ALSHAUSKAS (both Lithuania); second places won Russian GENADIJ BALDIN, Lithuanians CESLAV TAMULEVICH (Чеслав Тамулевич) and ANATOLIJ PRIC (Анатолий Приц); third places went to Russian MARK SHAFRAN and Lithuanians RIMANTAS ZUJUS and ALGIMANTAS RAMANAUSKAS.

THE STORY WILL BE CONTINUED.

Those who are interested in detailed sport history – welcome to our Internet Site. We will publish the article in parts as it will take time. FACEBOOK does not allow long texts. For detailed information read International Site www.wff.lt

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

World Bodybuilding Federation (W.B.B.F. - International)

International Amateur "UNIVERSE" Contest

Men Bodybuilding Over All Winners

(2000 - 2025)

Year, Name, Country.

2025 TORU FUKUTOMI, Japan

2024 MARIS SVEIDUKS, Latvia

2023 ALEKSEJ LAPSIN, Estonia

2022 DMITRIJ ANTONOV, Russia

2021 ROMAN POLSHIN, Estonia

2020 MICHAIL MALEK, Russia

2019 NIKOLAJ VOROBJOV, Russia

2018 RABHA GOLAP, India

2017 FREDDY GASTON VAN PUYENBROECK, Belgium

2016 MAROSZ KANAS, Slovakia

2015 ANDREJ RUMIANCEV, Estonia

2014 ANDRZEJ RAK, Poland

2013 ANDRZEJ BRZEZINSKI Poland

2012 ALEXANDER NEVSKY, Russia - USA

2011 ALEXANDER NEVSKY, Russia - USA

2010 ALEXANDER NEVSKY, Russia - USA

2009 ALEKSANDR VLADIMIROV, Lithuania

2008 DAYO AUDI, UK

2007 ROMAN DUBOVICKIJ, Russia

2006 ANTONIO OSTA, Uruguay

2005 ALEKSANDR BALDIN, Russia

2004 KONSTANTIN ZACHAROV, Russia

2003 JURIJ KARSETJAN, Latvia

2002 FRANCO CARLOTTO, Switzerland

2001 MINDAUGAS KVASYS, Lithuania

2000 MASSIMO MONACO, Italy.

Women Bodybuilding Over All Winners

Year, Name, Country.

2025 OLGA BOGACZ, Poland

2024 JELENA BITINEVA, Latvia

2023 ANNA SOBOLEWSKA KUCHARSKA, Poland

2022 MARIJA SIVKOVA, Russia

2021 HANNA SKYTTA, Finland

2020 OLESIA KONDRATOVA, Vietnam

2019 ALISA KLIMOVA, Russia

2018 NERINA BROGGIA, Argentina

2017 WILLEKE MARLES HOORNAERT, Belgium

2016 YAMILA VANESSA TOLEDO, Argentina

2015 JULIA GLAZYCEVA, Russia

2014 VALENTINA KOZLOVSKAJA, Belarus

2013 DALVANIZA AQUINO, Brazil

2012 YAMILA VANESSA TOLEDO, Argentina

2011 FERNANDA YOUGLAR, Argentina

2010 TRACEY LEE GOTTSCHALK, South Africa

2009 IRINA VALETTE FEDORUK, France

2008 FERNANDEZ ALEXANDRA XIMENA AGUIAR, Uruguay

2007 IRINA RIABOVA, Russia

2006 ROSALIA DUTRA DE CAMPOS, Argentina

2005 RACHEL KAUPPILA, Finland

2004 MARINA BURINSKAJA, Latvia

2003 RIPERT MARIE-PIERRE DOMINIQUE, France

2002 IRINA ZINCENKO, Russia

2001 SVETLANA PUGACHEVA, Russia

2000 MARINA BURINSKAJA, Latvia

W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Secretary International Edita Sendriene

INFORMATION.
More detailed information on the Global 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