60 YEARS OF LITHUANIA BODYBUILDING.

SHORT HISTORY.

On May 17, 2025 in City Gargzdai 60 years of Lithuania bodybuilding (1965-2025) were celebrated. Gargzdai organizers led by Viktoras Kura did tremendous job. That was a real bodybuilding fiesta. Respectful Guests and sport Personalities came to the Event.

Respectful Guests and Participants: Member Parliament Republic Lithuania Alvydas Mockus, President International W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Bodybuilding Federation) Federation DSc. Edmundas Daubaras, Candidate to the Parliament Republic Lithuania Klaipeda Polititian Gintaras Martinkenas, Participant of “Amber Prix International” (1968 - 2025) Gargzdai Event Organizer Viktoras Kura, 2020 U.N.E.S.C.O. Award Holder and President Lithuania Fitness Sport Federation Darius Daubaras, W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. International Silver Honour Medal Holder World Pro Bodybuilding Legend Natalia Murnikoviene, W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. International Silver Honour Medal Holder Vidmantas Malakauskas, W.F.F - W.B.B.F. International Official Alina Pelepko, President Lithuania Bodybuilding Federation Modestas Puise, Chairman Lithuania Bodybuilding Academy Remigijus Bimba, 2024 Over All W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Pro “Universe” Champion President Latvia Bodybuilding Federation Maris Sveiduks, Lithuania Bodybuilding Statist Arunas Petraitis, Lithuania Bodybuilding Legends U.S.S.R. Champion Saulius Misevicius, U.S.S.R. Champion Raimundas Petraitis, U.S.S.R. Champion Ricardas Petrauskas, Tautvilas Rinkevicius, Aleksas Stankus, Igor Karpec, Vidmantas Lukys, Romas Mile and Famous Contemporary Bodybuilders Over All W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Amateur Europe Champion Martynas Pakalnis, Arvydas Mickus, Rokas Razanauskas, Over All W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. World Champion Vaida Budriene, 2023 W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Pro Europe Champion Raimundas Urbanavicius.

BODYBUILDING IN LITHUANIA. HISTORY.

Annual F.I.H.C. (Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturisme) Weightlifting World Championship was organized in 1959 in Warszawa (People’s Republic of Poland). Traditionally together was organized F.I.H.C. World bodybuilding championship (“Universe”). Since 1947 until 1969 member I.O.C. (International Olympic Committee) F.I.H.C. ruled official World bodybuilding sport. At that time egzisting private bodybuilding companies like American W.B.B.G. (World Body Building Guild) of DAN LURIE, I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) of brothers BEN and JOE WEIDERS, British Social Club N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) could not confront official F.I.H.C.. Under initiative of BOB HOFMAN (Robert Collins Hoffman, 1898 - 1985) trough F.I.H.C. first International Bodybuilding Federation (Comission, «Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.») was established in the U.S.S.R.. It was set at the “U.S.S.R. Weightlifting Federation” («Федерация тяжёлой атлетики С.С.С.Р.»). There were no bodybuilders in the U.S.S.R. at that time so the work did not start.

In 1965 first bodybuilding competition was organized in Kaunas (Lithuanian SSR). In 1966 first International contest of Socialist Countries was organized in Vilnius (Lithuania SSR).

HOW BODYBUILDING WAS DEVELOPED LATER.

Because of F.I.H.C. bodybuilding was an official recognized sport until 1969. In 1968 during a contest in Kaunas (Lithuania SSR) a new International U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Organization was created. That was the “U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation” (Comission,«Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.»). It led bodybuilding sport until 1973 when bodybuilding due to political reasons was prohibited in the U.S.S.R. and Socialist Countries. Among the creators of the new organization were Lithuanians VALERIJ KORESKOV and VYTAUTAS ZUMERIS - both at the Parliament Republic Lithuania received the W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Bodybuilding Federation) International Honour Silver Medals. In 1968 “Amber Prix International” (“Gintarinis prizas”, «Янтарный приз»,1968 - 2025) was started in Klaipeda (Lithuanian SSR) which still goes on.

In 1969 FI.H.C. refused to govern bodybuilding sport. Some time bodybuilding was nowhere. But it lasted not long. In 1970 during the International Congress and “Universe” contest F.I.H.C. General Secretary OSCAR STATE created the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) sport federation in Belgrade (Yugoslavia). Until that time Weider brothers JOE and BEN could not do this. The reason was the lack of their education and they did not knew anything about official sport. But OSCAR STATE knew this very well. So he did it. In 1971 OSCAR STATE led the new I.F.B.B. federation to membership in G.A.I.S.F. (Global Association of International Sports Federations). That closed doors for all other bodybuilding organizations to become recognized officially. Until 1998 the only one representative of official recognized bodybuilding sport became the I.F.B.B..

In 1972 during a meeting of Lithuanian bodybuilders in Kaunas ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS through dirty intrigues replaced JUIOZAS JUSEVICIUS. Friends of ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS Kaunas organizers ALEKSAS NOVIKOVAS and RAMUTIS KAIRAITIS supported him and that caused the dictatorship of all three through next decades. That was the reason that Vilnius bodybuilding went it’s way and Klaipeda also was not together. Klaipeda bodybuilding organizers underlined International contacts and worked with bodybuilders of the U.S.S.R. and other Socialist Countries.

In 1973 due to political reasons bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R. and Socialist Countries was prohibited and prosecuted. Many bodybuilders left the sport. Socialist bodybuilding was isolated from the “West” and went on his own way - that were the underground activities.

FIGHTS DURING BODYBUILDING PROHIBITION.

When bodybuilding was prohibited all competitions were done secretly underground and without spectators. All were afraid of prosecution. For example, 1974 “Amber Prix International” (“Gintarinis prizas”, 1968 -2025) DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS organized in the Klaipeda (Lithuanian SSR) sea port bomb shelter. Unsatisfied with the situation DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS on his own risk did public contests in Telshiai and Klaipeda in 1977. Then he decided to address the Governmental Institutions.

During several years DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS had correspondence with the “U.S.S.R. Ministry of Sport” («Министерство спорта С.С.С.Р.») and with the main U.S.S.R. sport newspaper “Sovetskij Sport” («Советский спорт») but there were no positive results for bodybuilding.

In 1977 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS visited Minister Sport Lithuanian SSR ZIGMAS MOTIEKAITIS. The Minister was against helping bodybuilders. Then DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS decided to address the Highest U.S.S.R. Political Powers. To defend bodybuilding sport DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS wrote a long petition. All U.S.S.R. bodybuilders and their leaders did not support DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS - they were totally afraid. There was no possibility to send the petition through post as political control would not let the letters to go to Moscow. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS personally brought the petition to Moscow and presented it to the “Central Committee of the U.S.S.R. Communist Party” («Центральный Комитет Коммунистической Партии С.С.С.Р.») and to the “U.S.S.R. Ministry Council ( «Совет Министров С.С.С.Р.») and to the main U.S.S.R. political newspapers “Pravda” («Правда») and Izvestija” «Известия»). Then  DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS came back to Klaipeda and started waiting for bad happenings. It is a rule - all good works are being punished.

The article will be continued.

Pictures used from vsfoto.lt.

Look for the article on International Page www.wff.lt 

SPORT NEWS INTERNATIONAL.

ATTENTION OF AMERICA TO W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. ACTIVITIES.

W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Bodybuilding Federation) International today unites members of 141 Countries around the World.

During the last period of time W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. International received attention from America - for the successful International Sport Work done International President W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was awarded with a number of America Sport Awards.

More information is on International Site www.wff.lt 

World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation

(Activities Since 1968; 141 Country Members)

INTERNATIONAL MEGA EVENTS

(May 10, 2025, Klaipeda Zveju Palace, Republic Lithuania)

Participating Honour Guests - 2025 UNESCO Award Holder Professor Vasilij Bespalenko (Ukraine), 2020 UNESCO Award Holder Darius Daubaras, International Honour Silver Medal Holder World Bodybuilding Legend Natalia Murnikoviene.

180 Competitors from Republic Ukraine, Republic Latvia, Republic Estonia, Republic Slovakia, Republic Poland, Kingdom of Denmark, State of Israel, Republic Belarus,  Republic Lithuania

RESULTS

36-th World Amateur Championship

Over All Winners: Olga Bogacz (Republic Poland), Dainius Dzikevicius (Republic Lithuania)

“Fit-Kids” Over All Champion Elzbieta Matoga (Republic Poland)

Aerobic Fitness Over All Champion Julia Nowak (Republic Poland)

Mini Trampoline Over All Champion Marija Karabovska (Republic Latvia)

Disabled Categories Over All Champion Kamil Kowalczyk (Republic Poland)

Model Fitness Over All Champion Olga Bogacz (Republic Poland)

Aerial Fitness (Hoop) Women Over All Champion Smilte Lauceviciute (Republic Lithuania)

Aerial Fitness (Hoop) Men Over All Champion Edvardas Korciaginas (Republic Lithuania)

Aerial Fitness (Hammock) Over All Champion Marlen Reimann (Republic Estonia)

Aerial Fitness (Silks) Over All Champion Ema Sackute (Republic Lithuania)

Bikini Over All Champion Valeria Nilova (Republic Estonia)

Baywatch Over All Champion Rita Liatukiene (Republic Lithuania)

Figure Classic Over All Champion Martina Fric (Republic Slovakia)

Martial Arts Over All Champion Vasilij Bespalenko (Republic Ukraine)

CATEGORY WINNERS

Aerial Fitness (Hoop) 8 years Akvile Korciaginaite (Republic Lithuania)

Aerial Fitness (Hoop) 12 years Nora Tomson (Republic Estonia)

Aerial Fitness (Hoop) 14 years Ugne-Kotryna Kaminskaite (Republic Lithuania)

Aerial Fitness (Hoop) 16 years Laura Valaityte (Republic Lithuania)

Aerial Fitness (Hoop) Over 21 years Gabriele Korciaginiene (Republic Lithuania)

Aerial Fitness Advanced (Hammock) Sirie Lilleleht (Republic Estonia)

Aerial Fitness Advanced (Hammock) 12 years Nora Tomson (Republic Estonia)

Aerial Fitness Advanced (Hammock) 16 years Sirie Lilleleht (Republic Estonia)

Aerial Fitness (Duet Silks) Lise Lund Kjaer, Emily Lund Kjaer (Kingdom of Denmark)

Aerial Fitness Advanced (Silks) 12 years Meja Ziupsnyte (Republic Lithuania)

Aerial Fitness Advanced (Silks) 14 years Ema Sackute (Republic Lithuania)

Aerial Fitness Advanced (Silks) 16 years Emile Prunskute (Republic Lithuania)

Model Fitness 165 cm. Olga Bogacz (Republic Poland)

Model Fitness 175 cm. Svetlana Lavrenova (Republic Latvia)

Bikini Fitness 175 cm. Valeria Nilova (Republic Estonia)

Baywatch Fitness Rita Liatukiene (Republic Lithuania)

Figure Classic 165 cm. Baiba Libiete (Republic Latvia)

Figure Classic 175 cm. Martina Fric (Republic Slovakia)

Men’s Physique Elvis Siksna (Republic Latvia)

Men’s Physique Seniors Vladimir Fiodorov (Republic Estonia)

Muscle Models Damian Jakovic (Republic Lithuania)

Muscle Models Seniors Oleg Kametskov (Republic Estonia)

Body Athletic David Melikov (Republic Lithuania)

Disabled Fitness Kamil Kowalczyk (Republic Poland)

Disabled Fitness Seniors Grzegorz Piotr Dabrowski (Republic Poland)

58-th “Amber Prix International”

Over All Winners:  Olga Bogacz (Republic Poland), Szymon Lubecki (Republic Poland)

22-d World Pro Championship

Over All Winners: Svetlana Pugacheva (Republic Lithuania), Maros Kanasz (Republic Slovakia)

World Pro Bikini Winner Jelena Ivanova (Republic Latvia)

World Pro Figure Classic Over All Winner Martina Fric (Republic Slovakia)

World Pro Aerial Fitness (Hoop) Sofi Anette Elissaar (Republic Estonia)

28-th Amateur Europe Championship

Over All Winners: Marina Legenzova (Republic Lithuania), Szymon Lubecki (Republic Poland)

19-th Pro Europe Championship

Over All Winners: Martina Fric (Republic Slovakia), Dainius Dzikevicius (Republic Lithuania)

32-d “Baltic Cup International”

Over All Winners: Jelena Ivanova (Republic Latvia), Szymon Lubecki (Republic Poland)

32-d National Championship Lithuania

Over All Winners: Rita Liatukiene; David Melikov.

JUDGES INTERNATIONAL:

Alina Sunokaite

Gintare Staliulionyte

Viktorija Kriksciunaite

Margarita Ozerova

Karolina Cesone

Terje Jaanoja

Gintare Zdanaviciene

Alina Pelepko

Jurans Normunds

Wojciech Nadolski

Karina Bagazkova

BACKSTAGE JUDGE

Olga Kolesova

SECRETARIES INTERNATIONAL

W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. International General Secretary Ugne Raudyte Daubariene

Renata Pelegrimiene

Smilte Utaraite

Full Contest Results are on the way.

See International Pages www.wff.lt

www.worldfitness.lt 

SOCIALIST WORLD BODYBUILDING HISTORY.

FIRST ARTICLE. LET US START.

We are still working on the “World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia” («Энциклопедия всемирного культуризма»). Until now nobody covered total World Bodybuilding History. There are only some fragmentary stories. For example, some time ago a book about former bodybuilder and President of the National Bodybuilding Federation of Russia VLADIMIR DUBININ (Владимир Дубинин) was published. But after  his defeat in 1974 “Georg Tenno Memorial” («Мемориал Георга Тенно», 1971 - 2024) VLADIMIR DUBININ totally left our sport until 1986. In 1986 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS (Др. Эдмундас Даубарас) invited him to “Amber Prix International” (“Gintarinis prizas”, «Янтарный приз», 1968 - 2025) and this way brought him back to bodybuilding activities. Anyway until 1987 VLADIMIR DUBININ was a sportsman and trainer and never was among bodybuilding organizers and leaders. So what could be written in the book of VLADIMIR DUBININ when during thirteen years he was out of the game? Similar situation is with other bodybuilding “history writers”.

Through the last century for a long time World was divided into capitalist (Western) and Socialist (Eastern) parts. In sport too. In bodybuilding as well.

From time to time some historic information about the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) federation appeared in bodybuilding press. At the same time still there is no historic information about the “Eastern” bodybuilding. Everything that is available is nothing serious. Somebody use to name himself a “Great Champion”, some name themselves “Great Organizers”.

Most important bodybuilding events happened through the life of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. He participated everywhere - on National level, on Socialist and World bodybuilding level as well. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS graduated Vilnius State University with specialties of Philology and Law. Comparing with all U.S.S.R. bodybuilders and Organizers DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was the only one to know languages. This let him to communicate with everybody direct. It is the reason DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was personally in the center of the main International Events in Socialist Countries and in all the World  too. He was not only involved in these events - some of them he initiated himself. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was in friendly contacts with all most important VIP Persons of World bodybuilding - the I.F.B.B. President Canadian BEN WEIDER, the W.A.B.B.A. (World Amateur Body Building Association) President French SERGE NUBRET and the N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) Chairman British OSCAR HEIDENSTAM.

Fourty years passed since Socialist system was ruined. Various rumors spread about Socialist bodybuilding. We will make the question clear.

Most often we mention famous bodybuilders and their wins at the competitions. Anyway the sport is developed not by sportsmen. It were sport organizers and bodybuilding leaders that develop our sport. Often those organizers are forgotten. Bodybuilders not appear themselves - to reach the top they need a skilful trainers suggestions and advises. There should be organizers that are making Great Contests for the bodybuilders and then they became great. There should be some persons to advertise and publish the wins of bodybuilders. Without this nobody can be a Great Champion and nobody can have a Great Name.

We will write this article basing on bodybuilding Events in Socialist World and mentioning the “Western” World only in the background. Until Encyclopedia works go on we will do our best to publish a separate book about bodybuilding in the Socialist World.

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

World Body Building Federation (W.B.B.F.)
World Fitness Federation (W.F.F.) 
(Since 1968, 141 Country Members, 60 International Events World Wide) 
EUROPE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
OVER ALL WINNERS
(1996-2025)
MEN
Year, Champion's Name, Country.
2025 SZYMON LUBECKI, POLAND

2024 GATIS SAKNE, LATVIA

2023 MARTYNAS PAKALNIS, LITHUANIA

2022 ROMAN POLSIN, ESTONIA

2021 KAMIL STRUMINSKI, POLAND

2020 ALEKSEJ PETKEVICH, LATVIA

2019 PAWEL PRZYBYLSKI, POLAND
2018 KAROL KOWNACKI, POLAND
2017 SERGEJ TARATYNOV, RUSSIA
2016 JASPER BAKKER, HOLLAND
2015 NORMUND JURANS, LATVIA
2014 ANDREJ RUMIANCEV, ESTONIA
2013 ALEKSANDR GRENADIOROV, RUSSIA
2012 MOHAMED MORAVEJ, IRAN
2011 ALEKSANDR SILIN, RUSSIA
2010 DANIL BRATISKA, RUSSIA
2009 VITALIJ ALEKSANDROV, LATVIA
2008 VLADIMIR POLIAKOV, RUSSIA
2007 ROMAN DUBOVICKIJ, RUSSIA
2006 MICHAIL MALEK, RUSSIA
2005 MASSIMO MONACO, ITALY
2004 ALEKSANDR MASLOVSKIJ, LATVIA
2003 GERMAN SELEST, RUSSIA
2002 JURIJ KARSETIANS, LATVIA
2001 MAREK KALMUS, ESTONIA
2000 MASSIMO MONACO, ITALY
1999 GIOVANNI THOMSON, HOLLAND
1998 JURGEN KOCH, GERMANY
1997 MATHIAS HORNUNG, GERMANY
1996 SERGEJ OGORODNIKOV, RUSSIA

WOMEN
Year, Champion's Name, Country.
2025 MARINA LEGENZOVA, LITHUANIA

2024 INETA RIJNIECE, LATVIA

2023 ANNA SOBOLEWSKA KUCHARSKA, POLAND

2022 NATALIA MISZKOWSKA, POLAND

2021 SILVA SOCNEVA, LATVIA

2020 OLGA KOLESOVA, LITHUANIA

2019 NATALIA WARZYNSKA, POLAND
2018 OLGA LISTOPADOVA, BELARUS
2017 NATALIA ABRAMOVA, RUSSIA
2016 VALENTINA KARABANOVA, RUSSIA
2015 EVELYN DIROCIE, BELGIUM
2014 MARINA VLASOVA, RUSSIA
2013 JELENA VOLKOVA, RUSSIA
2012 VALENTINA KOZLOVSKAJA, BELARUS
2011 AGNIESZKA URBANIAK, POLAND
2010 VERA VLASOVA, RUSSIA
2009 IRINA PATESKINA, RUSSIA
2008 ILONA KOKOSH, LITHUANIA
2007 MARIJA AKIZANOVA, UKRAINE
2006 DIANA DECESARE, BRAZIL-UKRAINE
2005 IDA GUSCHA, RUSSIA
2004 SVETLANA PUGACHEVA, RUSSIA
2003 SVETLANA PUGACHEVA, RUSSIA
2002 VALERIJA JUDINA, RUSSIA
2001 AKSANA LEN, LITHUANIA
2000 MARINA BURINSKAJA, LATVIA
1999 ROSA GIOVANA, ITALY
1998 CLAUDIA MACHMOR, GERMANY
1997 BENEDETA POMATI, ITALY
1996 JEKATERINA KARABAN, RUSSIA

Chairman W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International Judges Council Edita Sendriene

INFORMATION.
More detailed information on the Global International Site www.wff.lt .