WORLD BODYBUILDING ENCYCLOPEDIA.

N.A.B.B.A. - WHAT IS IT? WE MAKE CONCLUSIONS.

HISTORY OF N.A.B.B.A..

Step by step working on the third book of the “World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia” (“Pasaulio kultūrizmo enciklopedija”, «Энциклопедии всемирного культуризма») we are presenting histories of various International bodybuilding organizations. It was easy until fall of the Socialist World: since 1971 until 1998 I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) represented officially recognized sport and since 1950 N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) represented never officially recognized bodybuilding. We will make a number of unexpected articles on the history of N.A.B.B.A. in the nearest future. You will learn things You never dreamed of...

BEGINNING OF N.A.B.B.A..

BOB HOFFMAN BROUGHT BODYBUILDING TO LONDON.

Since 1947 until 1969 World’s official bodybuilding sport was ruled by F.I.H.C. (Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturiste). F.I.H.C. was a member of International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.). Mostly due to the efforts of American BOB HOFFMAN(Robert Collins Hoffman, 1898 - 1985 m.) the first F.I.H.C. “Mr. Universe” contest was organized in the USA in 1947. Basing on the support of the I.O.C. the 1948 F.I.H.C. “Mr. Universe” was organized in London together with the “London Olympic Games”. Together with BOB HOFFMAN local organizers of the 1948 F.I.H.C. “Mr. Universe” in London were  B.A.W.L.A. (British Amateur Weight Lifting Association) and representatives of local British magazine “Health and Strength”. Full of emotions of the 1948 F.I.H.C. “Mr. Universe” Britishers established N.A.B.B.A. association in 1950. The N.A.B.B.A. name was copied from B.A.W.L.A.. In the same 1950 N.A.B.B.A. held it’s first  “Mr. Universe” in London. Anyway until F.I.H.C. .stopped ruling official bodybuilding sport in 1969 N.A.B.B.A. and private I.F.B.B. Commercial Company could not pretend to any recognition.

SHORTLY ABOUT N.A.B.B.A..

Speaking about federations what is more important - bodybuilders or organizers? Every part is important as it can not survive without another one. We will underline organizers of federation. Bodybuilders often participate at various federations and in most cases they can not represent any of them.

F.I.H.C. and A..A.U. (Amateur Athletes Union) American bodybuilders led by BOB HOFFMAN were N.A.B.B.A. leading participants for a long time. Many years bodybuilders of BOB HOFFMAN were participating at N.A.B.B.A. “Mr. Universe” and many years Europeans could not win against them. The basic reason was that American weightlifters started using steroids first. Americans were much ahead of Europe in this field.

In the nineties of the last century N.A.B.B.A. Chairman British OSCAR HEIDENSTAM was the European bodybuilding leader. At that time DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS started correspondence with him.

In 1990 after “Miss Olympia” in New York (USA) I.F.B.B. President BEN WEIDER refused to support the Independence of the Republic of Lithuania. He did not accept bodybuilders of Lithuania in his I.F.B.B. federation. BEN WEIDER was on the U.S.S.R. Side. This was the reason that DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS decided to join N.A.B.B.A. association.

Everything seemed very optimistic - we got FREEDOM... at that tome our knowledge about International Bodybuilding Federations was zero. To get the information during next twenty years we had to press leaders of these organizations. Finally we learned that there were much lies and even stupid things in those organizations. And still are... Only today we are the only ones who speak truth about this.

In 1991 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS and best Lithuania bodybuilders of that time joined N.A.B.B.A. and participated at the N.A.B.B.A. Europe Championship in Epinal (France). Then Lithuanians ROLANDAS BUCINSKAS and NATALIA MURNIKOVIENE became N.A.B.B.A. Europe Champions. That were the first Champions in the history of Independent Republic Lithuania.

N.A.B.B.A. WAS ONE, BET THERE WERE THREE N.A.B.B.A. PRESIDENTS.

When in 1991 OSCAR HEIDENSTAM died, for two decades N.A.B.B.A. was ruled by Irish IVAN DUNBAR. Though IVAN DUNBAR was not a strong personality but he was very loyal to N.A.B.B.A.. That was the reason that in 1999 N.A.B.B.A. had three Presidents at one time. They were IVAN DUNBAR, German KLAUS P.J. HOFFMANN and Australian JOE LOPEZ. It was interesting to observe when all three “presidents” were in conflict in between when annual fee was collected from national members. Every of them tried to be first to take the money. N.A.B.B.A. Lithuania (Lietuvos Nacionalinė Kultūrizmo Asociacija) was registered officially at the Ministry of Law of the Republic Lithuania. We had to go to N.A.B.B.A. “Mr. Universes” paid by money of the Ministry of Sport Lithuania. To prove the expenses (fees, traveling money, hotel costs) journey documents and final results of competitions had to be signed and sealed by N.A.B.B.A. Officials. For many years IVAN DUNBAR tried to escape of this. Finally DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS pressed him and IVAN DUNBAR told that N.A.B.B.A. is registered as a “public club” and there is no “Association of N.A.B.B.A.” in reality. It lasted until the Russians made a false seal of N.A.B.B.A. and presented it to IVAN DUNBAR. Three N.A.B.B.A. presidents always fighted in between and always addressed DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to support each of them against others.

N.A.B.B.A. WAS SPLIT. TWO N.A.B.B.A. ORGANIZATIONS.

Ending the last Century Australian JOE LOPEZ was very active among N.A.B.B.A.  leaders. He wanted to be the only one N.A.B.B.A. Chairman and often was in conflict with KLAUS P.J. HOFFMANN and IVAN DUNBAR. 1999 N.A.B.B.A. World Championship was organized in Austria. At the same time N.A.B.B.A. Congress was held too. Plus to tension between three N.A.B.B.A. Chairmen one more dirty happening happened. N.A.B.B.A. financist TONY SULLYVAN disappeared with N.A.B.B.A. money. KLAUS P.J. HOFFMANN and IVAN DUNBAR did not want to speak about the N.A.B.B.A. problems and asked DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to do it. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS often used to make hours long speeches at N.A.B.B.A. congresses so hi did it again this time too. After it big mess started at the congress. JOE LOPEZ informed that the leaves N.A.B.B.A. with a number of countries and creates his own “N.A.B.B.A. International”. This way several years in a row JOE LOPEZ organized his own N.A.B.B.A. “Mr. Universe” contests in Spain. It did not last long as soon JOE LOPEZ was accused with smuggling narcotics and went to prison. This way history of “N.A.B.B.A. - International” was very short.

N.A.B.B.A. - WHAT IS IT? WE MAKE CONCLUSIONS.

Since when OSCAR HEIDENSTAM died in 1991 there were no more noticeable International persons in N.A.B.B.A.. N.A.B.B.A. never had any ambitious aims and any great future plans. N.A.B.B.A. always stay in one place and never goes ahead.

N.A.B.B.A. started long ago as a never officially recognized organization. Nothing changed. It is the same today on International level. Anyway among a hundred today egzisting International bodybuilding organizations N.A.B.B.A. always was the greatest historically non recognized bodybuilding society. In 1998 International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.)  threw away the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) federation. Since that time bodybuilding is no more sport. In 2023 G.A.I.S.F. (Global Association of International Sports Federations)  was closed and by law on official level the I.F.B.B. has nothing better as N.A.B.B.A.. Yes, fooling Ministries of Sport of former Socialist countries National I.F.B.B. federations go on receiving comparatively big government’s money. We do not speak about a hundred “mickey - mouse” federations which appeared today. They are a zero in the World’s International Bodybuilding movement. No aims, no future. Why they are? Where they are going? Try to answer this question.

More information is on Global Site www.wff.lt

2025 NEWS INTERNATIONAL.

MAYOR CITY KLAIPEDA MR. ARVYDAS VAITKUS.

OFFICIAL MEETING.

When bodybuilding is no more sport today, when no one International Sport Organization recognizes bodybuilding any more - we go on with real REVOLUTION IN OUR SPORT. Last fifty years we were always on the top and other bodybuilding organizations were copying us. Ok - You are welcomed. Life is changed so quickly and our sport as well. We work hard to remain on official level and we seek the RECOGNITION OF INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE.

We Start Our Big Job as this Historic Event is Closer. On the Way we have Official Meetings with Governmental Institutions of the Republic Lithuania including National Olympic Committee and Ministry of Sport. To thank for the support organizing the 58-th “Amber Prix International” on May 28, 2025 Members of the International W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Bodybuilding Federation) Executive Council visited Mayor City Klaipeda Mr. ARVYDAS VAITKUS.

Official Documents are 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)

Pole Dance Fitness Over All Champion Jana Solovjova (Republic Lithuania)

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

Pole Dance Fitness 12 years Sifi Anette Elissaar (Republic Estonia)

Pole Dance Fitness 16 years Sirie Lilleleht (Republic Estonia)

Pole Dance Fitness 18 years Ketlin Sainas (Republic Estonia)

Pole Dance Fitness Jana Solovjova (Republic Lithuania)

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 Advanced (Duet Hammock) Brit Nomm, Marien Reim (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)

Mini Trampoline Over All Champion Marija Karabovska (Republic Latvia)

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 165 cm. Maie Kiik (Republic Estonia)

Baywatch Fitness 175 cm. 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

Ania Simsak Godula

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.

See International Pages www.wff.lt

www.worldfitness.lt 

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.

More Information is on International Site www.wff.lt 

1959.IMPORTANT TIME FOR SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING.

THIRD ARTICLE. BODYBUILDING COMES TO SOCIALST WORLD.

The thirteenth F.I.H.C.  (Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturisme) bodybuilding “Mr. Universe” contest was organized in 1959 in Warszawa (People’s Republic of Poland). Traditionally this contest was held together with the annual F.I.H.C. World Weightlifting Championship. First time in sport history Socialist audience and athletes  saw “live” bodybuilders direct. At the F.I.H.C. World Weightlifting Championship the U.S.S.R. weightlifters were the best. The personal leadership was under Japan origin American multiple Olympic Champion TOMMY KONO (Tamio "Tommy" Kono, 1930 – 2016) and Russian Olympic Champion YURY VLASOV  (Юрий Власов, 1935 – 2021). TOMMY KONO was a student of BOB HOFFMAN (Robert Collins Hoffman, 1898 - 1985) and in his life he three times became over all F.I.H.C. bodybuilding “Mr. Universe” Champion (1954, 1955, 1961). In 1987 YURY VLASOV became the first President of the officially recognized “U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation” («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.»). Again the biggest popularizer of bodybuilding through the World was BOB HOFFMAN.

The Over All Winner of the 1959 F.I.H.C. bodybuilding “Mr. Universe” in Warszawa was a National French bodybuilding Champion GUY MIERCZUK (born in 1936).

Several USA private companies tried to fight with International leadership of BOB HOFFMAN. That were the owners of private I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) commercial company brothers JOE (Joseph Weider, 1919 - 2013) and BEN (Benjamin Weider, 1923 - 2008) WEIDERS and another American DAN LURIE (1923 - 2013) with his own company W.B.B.G. (World Body Building Guild). Both companies were copying activities of BOB HOFFMAN but they had no chances to succeed as behind BOB HOFFMAN were International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.) members A.A.U. (Amateur Atlete’s Union) and F.I.H.C..

Copying BOB HOFFMAN along with the thirteenth F.I.H.C. bodybuilding “Mr. Universe” contest WEIDER brothers organized their first “Mr. Universe” in Mexico in 1959. That was a sad competition at there were only few competitors in three high categories from USA, Mexico, Canada ant England. Later in 1977 I.F.B.B. changed “Mr. Universe” name to the “World Championship”. I.F.B.B. Category Winners in Mexico were EMILIO KURY (Mexico), ED THERIAULT (Canada) and EDDIE SYLVESTRE (Mexico, 1931 - 2001). The Over All Winner was EDDIE SYLVESTRE and that was the greatest win of his sport life.

FULL ARTICLE is on International Site www.wff.lt