“Amber Prix” stories. Yevgeny Zhurtsev – A Lifetime Devoted to Bodybuilding.

One of the most prominent figures associated with the legendary international Amber Prix tournament was Yevgeny Zhurtsev of Vilnius, one of Lithuania's leading bodybuilders of the 1970s and 1980s. He belonged to a generation of athletes who built the sport not with modern training facilities or financial support, but through enthusiasm, perseverance, and an unwavering determination to improve.

Zhurtsev began training in 1966 in a woodshed in his backyard and later continued in the attic of his home. Only a year later, in 1967, he made his competitive debut at local bodybuilding competitions in Panevėžys.

From 1969 to 1971, compulsory military service in the Soviet Army interrupted his athletic career. Upon returning, he immediately resumed training together with his friend Yuri Prikhodko.

A turning point came when he began working under Česlav Tamulevič, one of the Soviet Union's finest bodybuilding coaches and the founder of the renowned Vilnius School of Bodybuilding. Athletes trained within this system became famous not only for their outstanding physiques but also for their exceptional posing artistry. Their posing routines became a benchmark throughout the Soviet Union, attracting bodybuilders from many republics who traveled to Vilnius to learn from them.

Yevgeny Zhurtsev became one of the brightest representatives of this school. In 1972, although he was still eligible to compete as a junior, his coach entered him in the senior division at the Georg Tenno Memorial in Tallinn. The decision reflected both the coach's confidence in his athlete and Zhurtsev's remarkable level of maturity.

Zhurtsev was remembered not only for his well-balanced physique but also for his artistry on stage. His original and meticulously choreographed posing routines distinguished him from other competitors, earning enthusiastic applause from spectators. Within the bodybuilding community, he gained respect not only for his competitive achievements but also for his character and unwavering dedication to the sport.

In 1973, he established his own bodybuilding club in a former bomb shelter in the Antakalnis district of Vilnius. For more than two decades, the gym served not only as his personal training facility but also as a gathering place for aspiring bodybuilders. In 1994, however, rising rental costs forced him to close the club.

Determined to reach the highest level of excellence, Zhurtsev constantly experimented with new training methods. He trained every day, often twice a day. Such uncompromising dedication eventually took its toll. Years of extreme workloads resulted in serious shoulder and arm joint injuries. Nevertheless, his perseverance prevailed. After a lengthy recovery, he returned to competition in 1976 and won second place in his class at an international tournament in Kalinin (now Tver, Russia). Ironically, because the local authorities had banned the event, the competition was held illegally inside a sports club—an illustration of the difficult circumstances surrounding bodybuilding in the Soviet Union at the time.

His greatest competitive successes came in the late 1970s and early 1980s. At the 1978 Amber Prix in Klaipėda, Zhurtsev placed second in his category behind Olev Anus. Two years later he achieved the greatest victory of his career, winning his class at the 1980 Amber Prix. He also competed successfully in the traditional Komsomol Cup tournaments held in Kaunas in 1980, 1983, and 1984, consistently finishing among the prize winners.

Reflecting on his career, Zhurtsev once said:

"I trained incredibly hard, but I never became a world champion. I was never a slave to money—whatever I earned, I spent on food..."

These few words capture his entire philosophy. For him, bodybuilding was never about wealth or fame. It was a way of life.

Yevgeny Zhurtsev can rightly be described as a true bodybuilding idealist. He belonged to a generation of athletes who competed not for financial rewards but out of genuine passion for the sport. His life was defined by relentless self-improvement, and every success he achieved was earned through discipline, determination, and extraordinary willpower.

Today, Yevgeny Zhurtsev is remembered not only as the winner of the 1980 Amber Prix but also as one of the finest representatives of the Vilnius School of Bodybuilding, a master of posing artistry, and a man whose complete devotion to the sport inspired an entire generation of Lithuanian bodybuilders. His legacy demonstrates that an athlete's greatest achievement is measured not only by medals but also by the lasting mark left on the history of sport and in the memories of those who witnessed it.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt

CNN Report from Klaipėda – An Unprecedented Event in Lithuania.

Until recently, the idea that CNN would produce a report from Klaipėda would have seemed almost unimaginable. One might have assumed that one of the world's largest television networks would only take an interest in Lithuania's seaport city because of a natural disaster, a political crisis, or another event of global significance.

This time, however, it was sport that attracted international attention.

The 50th Anniversary International "Amber Prize" Tournament, held together with the WFF-WBBF "Universe" Championship in Klaipėda, generated unexpected worldwide interest. Although bodybuilding and fitness rarely receive coverage from major international broadcasters, these competitions attracted the attention of CNN.

The event brought together 198 athletes from 17 countries: Belgium, Belarus, Estonia, Germany, India, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan. The broad international participation once again confirmed that the WFF-WBBF championships organized in Klaipėda had long since outgrown the status of national competitions and had become significant international sporting events.

The decisive turning point came after the Indian national team returned home. Indian media extensively covered their athletes' performances and victories in Klaipėda, and these publications caught the attention of CNN's editorial staff.

While preparing its report, CNN journalists contacted the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in New Delhi, requesting official information and video material. The embassy forwarded the request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, which in turn contacted Dr. Edmundas Daubaras. Under his coordination, Svetlana Pugacheva, Chair of the WFF-WBBF Technical Committee, prepared the official information and video archive that were subsequently provided to CNN.

Shortly afterwards, CNN broadcast a report introducing Lithuania, the city of Klaipėda, and the international WFF-WBBF championships held there to its global audience.

The report was significant not only for the federation and the event organizers. It represented international recognition that bodybuilding and fitness championships organized in Lithuania had reached world-class standards. It is particularly symbolic that the path to CNN began not in Lithuania but in India, where extensive media coverage of the athletes' achievements encouraged CNN journalists to investigate the event further.

The broadcast became one of the most important international recognitions of the WFF-WBBF Federation's activities. It demonstrated that the organization's reputation, built over many years through professionally organized championships and the consistent work of Dr. Edmundas Daubaras in developing the global bodybuilding and fitness movement, had earned genuine international acknowledgment.

Millions of CNN viewers heard the names of Lithuania and Klaipėda in the context of international sport, professional event organization, and international cooperation. Such worldwide exposure was not achieved through advertising campaigns but through decades of dedicated work, making this a landmark achievement for Klaipėda, Lithuanian bodybuilding, and the entire WFF-WBBF Federation.

Conclusions

CNN's report on the international WFF-WBBF championships held in Klaipėda became an exceptional milestone in the history of Lithuanian sport. The attention of one of the world's leading television networks was earned through the international scale of the competitions and their impact far beyond Lithuania's borders.

The event demonstrated that years of dedicated work, professional organization of international championships, and strong global partnerships can open the doors to the world's most influential media organizations. Klaipėda became the city from which the story of Lithuanian sport reached millions of viewers around the world.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt

क्लाइपेडा से CNN की रिपोर्ट – लिथुआनिया के इतिहास में एक अभूतपूर्व घटना

कुछ समय पहले तक यह कल्पना करना भी कठिन था कि CNN क्लाइपेडा से कोई विशेष रिपोर्ट प्रसारित करेगा। यह माना जा सकता था कि दुनिया का यह प्रतिष्ठित समाचार चैनल लिथुआनिया के इस बंदरगाह शहर में केवल किसी प्राकृतिक आपदा, राजनीतिक संकट या वैश्विक महत्व की घटना के कारण ही रुचि लेगा।

लेकिन इस बार दुनिया का ध्यान खेल ने आकर्षित किया।

क्लाइपेडा में आयोजित 50वीं वर्षगांठ अंतरराष्ट्रीय "Amber Prize" Tournament तथा WFF-WBBF "Universe" Championship ने अप्रत्याशित रूप से वैश्विक ध्यान आकर्षित किया। यद्यपि बॉडीबिल्डिंग और फिटनेस प्रतियोगिताएँ सामान्यतः विश्व के प्रमुख समाचार माध्यमों में स्थान नहीं पातीं, फिर भी इस आयोजन ने CNN का ध्यान अपनी ओर खींच लिया।

प्रतियोगिता में 17 देशों के 198 एथलीटों ने भाग लिया। इनमें बेल्जियम, बेलारूस, एस्टोनिया, भारत, इटली, यूनाइटेड किंगडम, साइप्रस, लातविया, लिथुआनिया, दक्षिण अफ्रीका, रूस, सर्बिया, स्लोवाकिया, तुर्की, यूक्रेन, उज्बेकिस्तान और जर्मनी शामिल थे। प्रतिभागियों की यह व्यापक अंतरराष्ट्रीय उपस्थिति इस बात का प्रमाण थी कि क्लाइपेडा में आयोजित WFF-WBBF प्रतियोगिताएँ बहुत पहले ही राष्ट्रीय स्तर से आगे बढ़कर प्रतिष्ठित अंतरराष्ट्रीय खेल आयोजनों का स्वरूप ग्रहण कर चुकी थीं।

निर्णायक मोड़ तब आया जब भारतीय राष्ट्रीय टीम अपने देश लौटी। भारत के समाचार माध्यमों ने क्लाइपेडा में भारतीय खिलाड़ियों के प्रदर्शन और उनकी उपलब्धियों को व्यापक रूप से प्रकाशित किया। इन्हीं समाचारों ने CNN के संपादकीय विभाग का ध्यान आकर्षित किया।

अपनी रिपोर्ट तैयार करने के लिए CNN के पत्रकारों ने नई दिल्ली स्थित लिथुआनिया गणराज्य के दूतावास से आधिकारिक जानकारी और वीडियो सामग्री का अनुरोध किया। दूतावास ने यह अनुरोध लिथुआनिया के विदेश मंत्रालय को भेजा, जिसने डॉ. एडमुंडस दौबारस से संपर्क किया। उनके समन्वय में WFF-WBBF की तकनीकी समिति की अध्यक्ष स्वेतलाना पुगाचेवा ने आधिकारिक जानकारी और वीडियो अभिलेख तैयार किए, जिन्हें बाद में CNN को उपलब्ध कराया गया।

कुछ ही समय बाद CNN ने अपने वैश्विक दर्शकों के लिए लिथुआनिया, क्लाइपेडा और वहाँ आयोजित अंतरराष्ट्रीय WFF-WBBF प्रतियोगिताओं पर विशेष रिपोर्ट प्रसारित की।

यह केवल एक खेल समाचार नहीं था। यह इस बात की अंतरराष्ट्रीय मान्यता थी कि लिथुआनिया में आयोजित बॉडीबिल्डिंग और फिटनेस प्रतियोगिताएँ विश्व स्तरीय आयोजनों के रूप में स्थापित हो चुकी हैं। विशेष रूप से उल्लेखनीय यह तथ्य है कि CNN तक पहुँचने का मार्ग लिथुआनिया से नहीं, बल्कि भारत से प्रारंभ हुआ। भारतीय मीडिया में प्रकाशित समाचारों ने ही CNN के पत्रकारों को इस आयोजन के बारे में और अधिक जानकारी प्राप्त करने के लिए प्रेरित किया।

यह रिपोर्ट WFF-WBBF महासंघ की अंतरराष्ट्रीय प्रतिष्ठा का एक महत्वपूर्ण प्रमाण बनी। इसने सिद्ध किया कि वर्षों से निर्मित संगठन की प्रतिष्ठा, पेशेवर ढंग से आयोजित चैंपियनशिप और विश्व स्तर पर बॉडीबिल्डिंग तथा फिटनेस आंदोलन के विकास के लिए डॉ. एडमुंडस दौबारस के निरंतर प्रयासों को वास्तविक अंतरराष्ट्रीय मान्यता प्राप्त हुई है।

CNN के करोड़ों दर्शकों ने पहली बार लिथुआनिया और क्लाइपेडा का नाम अंतरराष्ट्रीय खेल, उत्कृष्ट आयोजन क्षमता और वैश्विक सहयोग के संदर्भ में सुना। यह वैश्विक पहचान किसी विज्ञापन अभियान का परिणाम नहीं थी, बल्कि दशकों की निरंतर मेहनत और समर्पण का प्रतिफल थी। यह उपलब्धि क्लाइपेडा, लिथुआनियाई बॉडीबिल्डिंग तथा संपूर्ण WFF-WBBF महासंघ के लिए एक ऐतिहासिक क्षण बन गई।

निष्कर्ष

क्लाइपेडा में आयोजित अंतरराष्ट्रीय WFF-WBBF प्रतियोगिताओं पर CNN की रिपोर्ट लिथुआनियाई खेल इतिहास की एक असाधारण उपलब्धि थी। विश्व के सबसे प्रभावशाली समाचार नेटवर्कों में से एक का ध्यान इस आयोजन को उसके अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर और विश्वव्यापी प्रभाव के कारण प्राप्त हुआ।

इस घटना ने यह सिद्ध कर दिया कि वर्षों का समर्पित कार्य, अंतरराष्ट्रीय प्रतियोगिताओं का पेशेवर आयोजन और वैश्विक खेल समुदाय के साथ मजबूत संबंध विश्व की सबसे प्रभावशाली समाचार संस्थाओं तक पहुँचने का मार्ग खोल सकते हैं। क्लाइपेडा वह शहर बन गया जहाँ से लिथुआनिया के खेल की कहानी दुनिया भर के करोड़ों लोगों तक पहुँची।

2026 BODYBUILDING ANNIVERSARIES 61 YEAR OF LITHUANIAN BODYBUILDING

On May 17, 2025, the 60th anniversary of Lithuanian bodybuilding (1965–2025) was solemnly celebrated in Gargždai, on Lithuania's Baltic coast. It was the only official commemorative event in the Republic of Lithuania dedicated to this important milestone in the nation's sporting history.

The anniversary celebrations continue. In May 2027, Klaipėda will host another historic event—the 60th International "Amber Prix" Tournament, one of the world's oldest continuously organized international bodybuilding competitions.

However, 2026 is also a landmark year. It marks a series of important anniversaries of events that have shaped not only the history of Lithuanian bodybuilding but have also left a lasting impact on the international development of the sport.

Anniversary Milestones

1946 – 80 Years Ago
The IFBB commercial company was established in Canada, later after 1971 becoming one of the world's most influential bodybuilding organizations.

1966 – 60 Years Ago
Vilnius hosted the first international bodybuilding competition ever held in the socialist world. This historic event opened a new chapter in the development of bodybuilding throughout Eastern Europe.

1976 – 50 Years Ago
Despite the official prohibition of bodybuilding in socialist countries, Edmundas Daubaras organized a public bodybuilding competition in Telšiai. At that time, he was the only bodybuilding organizer in the Soviet Union to openly undertake such an initiative.

1986 – 40 Years Ago
On the initiative of Edmundas Daubaras, the process of establishing the official USSR Bodybuilding Federation was launched. A meeting held at his home brought together Vladimir Dubinin, Vladimir Shubov, and Arkadiy Kashansky, leading to the official founding of the Federation in Kubinka in 1987.

1996 – 30 Years Ago
Klaipėda hosted the first European Bodybuilding Championship in the history of Lithuanian sport. Organized by Edmundas Daubaras, the championship received official support from the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.

2006 – 20 Years Ago
Vilnius hosted the second World Professional Bodybuilding Championship in the history of Lithuanian sport, organized by Edmundas Daubaras. The championship received official support from the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.

2016 – 10 Years Ago
Leading the organizing committee Dr. Edmundas Daubaras organized the World Professional Bodybuilding Championship in Kaunas.

2026
The international WFF–WBBF events held in Klaipėda brought together 289 athletes from numerous countries, once again confirming Lithuania's position as an important center of international bodybuilding.

Lithuania's Contribution to World Bodybuilding

For more than six decades, Lithuania has repeatedly played a significant role in the international history of bodybuilding. The country hosted the first international bodybuilding competition in the socialist world, organized European and World Championships, and established Klaipėda as a permanent venue for major WFF–WBBF international events.

Equally important is the fact that Lithuanian enthusiasts preserved the traditions of bodybuilding even during the years when the sport was officially prohibited. Competitions continued to be organized despite political restrictions, and after Lithuania regained its independence, the country emerged as one of the most active organizers of international bodybuilding events.

Conclusions

The anniversaries celebrated in 2026 remind us that the history of Lithuanian bodybuilding is far more than a record of sporting achievements. It is a story of determination, vision, organizational leadership, and international recognition.

These milestones provide an opportunity to honor the pioneers, organizers, and athletes who built the foundations of Lithuanian bodybuilding and to pass this remarkable legacy on to future generations.

Looking ahead to the 60th International "Amber Prix" Tournament in 2027, it is evident that Lithuania continues to write new chapters in bodybuilding history. The achievements of the past six decades have become an integral part not only of Lithuania's sporting heritage but also of the history of international bodybuilding.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt