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

WHO IN U.S.S.R. COULD THINK ON INTERNATIONAL LEVEL?

ROLE OF PERSONALITY IN LIFE AND SPORT.

Everyone‘s personality depends on many items. One of them is – basing on which position a personality analyzes all happenings. We mean bodybuilders, of course. Do you think of this as a sportsman, as a trainer or organizer or you think as an International Leader? Specialists of our sport scrutinize the same documents and the same basics but everybody of them evaluate the same items on a different way. Then we may look if this specialist is of a local level or he represents the International one. The specialist must get himself above the happenings of his time and he must look on everything like a flying bird high in the sky. Otherwise he can not understand what is going on.

In the U.S.S.R. there were only few personalities who could think wide in the very beginning of bodybuilding. The representatives of various regions of the U.S.S.R. mostly were thinking in a narrow way. For example, Tiumen gym trainer JEVGENIJ KOLTUN (Евгений Колтун, R.S.F.S.R.) always represented a gym level and nothing more. The same was with a Kaliningrad trainer JURIJ SMOLIAKOV (Юрий Смоляков, R.S.F.S.R.) and with a Severodvinsk trainer the U.S.S.R. Champion ALEKSANDR LEMECHOV (Александр Лемехов, R.S.F.S.R.). The same was with a Leningrad gym trainer VLADIMIR DUBININ (Владимир Дубинин, R.S.F.S.R.). A representative of Riga (Latvian SSR) FELIKS SAJKOVSKIJ (Феликс Сайковский) and nearly all representatives of the Lithuanian SSR were on the same local level of understanding. There were no more active bodybuilding organizers in the U.S.S.R. at that time but only those we mentioned only. The exception could be the General Secretary of the formal „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“  («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.») ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS (Романас Калинаускас). How we can understand this „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ when bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R. is prohibited? It had totally no power. But unfortunatelly all activities of ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS were done through intrigues and blackmailing of his sport friends to the Communist political powers. Knowing no foreign languages ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS was separated from the World and could not understand the International process. Another exceptional person was INNAR MARDO (Иннар Мардо, 1946 – 2002, Tallinn, Estonian SSR). He also did not know any foreign language and worked only in Estonia. Even to do anything on the U.S.S.R. level he had no interest. But on regular basis organized by INNAR MARDO „Georg Tenno Memorial“ («Мемориал Георга Тенно», 1971 – 1924, Tallinn, Estonian SSR) contests gave him a huge prestige and respect of others. One more exception was DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. During the period of bodybuilding prohibition he organized illegal „Amber Prix International“ („Gintarinis prizas“, «Янтарный приз», 1968 – 2025, Klaipeda, Lithuanian SSR) contests in 1974, 1975, 1976 and in 1977. Wishing to defend bodybuilding sport DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS for several years was in correspondence with the Ministry of Sport of the U.S.S.R. („U.S.S.R. Goskomsport“, Госкомспорт С.С.С.Р.). Finally received from the U.S.S.R. Ministry of Sport a negatyve answer DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS wrote a bodybuilding defending petition and personally brought it to Moscow. He presented the petition to the highest U.S.S.R. political powers:  to the Central Committee of the U.S.S.R. Communist Party  (Центральный Комитет Коммунистической партии С.С.С.Р.), to the U.S.S.R. Supreme Council (Верховный Совет С.С.С.Р.) and to the U.S.S.R. Ministry Council (Совет Министров С.С.С.Р.) and to the U.S.S.R. cental political newspapers  „Pravda“ («Правда») and „Izvestija“ («Известия»). In 1978 due to the petition of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS the U.S.S.R. political powers gave him permition to organize „Amber Prix International“ in Klaipeda (Lithuanian SSR).

Leaders do not like a stable life. A Leader of any kind has courage and resposibility. Leaders always seek the result end never doubt if they will not succeed. At the same time the majority does nothing. They sit  in silence. So who was the bodybuilding Leader in the U.S.S.R.? The very similar to DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS life was of his friends in sport: the President I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) BEN WEIDER, also the similar way of life was of the President N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) OSCAR HEIDENSTAM and W.A.B.B.A. (World Amateur Body Building Association) President SERGE NUBRET. The same similar way was of the General Secretary F.I.H.C. (Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturiste) International OSCAR STATE.

Not knowing foreign languages narrowed possibilities of INNAR MARDO, but DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS assisted and helped him always. ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS did not know any foreign language and he always worked to be close to the U.S.S.R. Ministry of Sport. To say more he did his best to be close to the U.S.S.R. Weightlifting Federation (Федерация тяжёлой атлетики С.С.С.Р.). That were his top items for respect and loyality. But what he could get out of this when bodybuilding was prohibited in the U.S.S.R.? Just nothing.

While studying English and German philology at the Vilnius State University DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS did several attempts to unite gyms of Vilnius City. Nobody else never tried to do this. Anyway bodybuilding was prohibited in the U.S.S.R. and bodybuilders were afraid to do anything.

It is easy to speak when the work is done and everything goes smoothly. But at the moment to fight agaist bodybuilding prohibition no one supported DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. No one. Today being already old many former U.S.S.R. bodybuilding organizers and bodybuilders try to „be Facebook friends“ of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. Fine. But where they were at the hard times of risky fighting?

During the fifty years of his bodybuilding activities there was a number of „deputies“ and assistants of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. Many wanted to take the place of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS and to go on doing the same. No one succeeded.

Many disliked the stormy activities of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. Especially when he succeeded in his work. And he did. Having no wish to get into the intrigues of such people DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS got into the Vilnius State University in 1979 again. This time DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS studied law after he received the speciality of the phylology before. And again he succeeded. The same happened with INNAR MARDO. He was pressed by the people of envy and hate to leave his work and positions after the intriques in the formal Bodybuilding Federattion of the Estonian SSR. INNAR MARDO did not succeed to come back in full power again. There were several attemps but he was never back to the former normal situation. Hate and envy of his bodybuilding collegues ruined his life in sport. This information is based on the letters of INNAR MARDO to DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS.

Klaipeda bodybuilding was always a „Separate Republic“. And still is. It was in Lithuania, in the U.S.S.R. and Internationally now. It was based on the social and juridical status, on the International level - remember the World Bodybuilding Leaders whom we have mentioned above. International President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS is involved in the work of a number of International organizations which are collaborating with U.N. (United Nations) and U.N.S.E.C.O. (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Who else was in the same position? The road was long. Much work and  studies were needed.

Due to his active International work DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS meets many World known persons.

In 2010 in Portugal during the Congress of the International Order of Templars (O.S.M.T.H., Ordo Supremus Militari Templi Herosolimitani) for the original ideas to unite World Religions DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS by Greek ARCHIMANDRIT CHARALAMPIJ was awarded with the „St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Silver-Gold Medal“.

In 2011 the Official Visit of the President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation) International DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was organized to Vatican. Listening about the Bodybuilding activities during the years of prohibition of this sport in the Socialist Countries the Vatican Congregat Perfect Cardinal J. Em. JOZEF KARDINAL TOMKO (Кардинал Иозеф Томко) was interested very much. Very big interest was shown to the bodybuilding defending petition of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS and the victory that was achieved due to this. J. Em. JOZEF KARDINAL TOMKO positively evaluated our efforts to fight for the Bodybuilding Sport recognition and at once he named DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS as the „disident of the Communist Regime“. For this work done the Vatican Congregat Perfect Cardinal J. Em. JOZEF KARDINAL TOMKO presented the Original Vatican Pontific Medal (Medaglia Ufficiale di Pontificato di Sua Santita Benedetto XVI) to the International President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Federation EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS (Headquarters State Vatican, Cita del Vaticano, March 29, 2011).

During the last decades DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS had meetings and spoke about various International questions with the President Parliament Austria Professor ALFRED GERSTL (Президент Парламента Австрии профессор Альфред Герстл), the Prime Minister of the Republic Slovakia VLADIMIR MECIAR (премьер министр Словакии Владимир Мечиар), the Prime Minister of the Republic Slovakia ROBERT FICO (премьер министр Словакии Роберт Фицо), President Parliament Republic Slovakia JAN FIGEL (президент Парламента Словакии Ян Фигель), President Parliament Republic Lithuania ARUNAS VALINSKAS (президент Парламента Литвы Арунас Валинскас), Prime Minister Republic Lithuania GEDIMINAS KIRKILAS (премьер министр Литвы Гедиминас Киркилас), Prime Minister Republic Lithuania ALGIRDAS BUTKEVICIUS (премьер министр Литвы Альгирдас Буткявичус) and other High State officials of various Asia and Europe Countries.

Crowning the fifty years of bodybuilding activities of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS Russia journalists call him “The Father of Russia Bodybuilding” («Отец российского культуризма»).

In 2015 at the International contest in front of a number of Members of the Parliament Republic Lithuania the representative of the Government Republic Lithuania ANTANAS VINKUS (Антанас Винкус) named DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS the „Lithuania Embassador for the World“ («Амбассадор Литвы в мире»). Then National Teams of America, Asia, Africa and Europe took part at this event.

It is easy to speak when the work is done and everything goes smoothly. But at the moment to fight agaist bodybuilding prohibition no one supported DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. No one. Today being already old many former U.S.S.R. bodybuilding organizers and bodybuilders try to „be Facebook friends“ of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. Fine. But where they were at the hard times of risky fighting?

During the fifty years of his bodybuilding activities there was a number of „deputies“ and assistants of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. Many wanted to take the place of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS and to go on doing the same. No one succeeded.

Many disliked the stormy activities of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. Especially when he succeeded in his work. And he did. Having no wish to get into the intrigues of such people DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS got into the Vilnius State University in 1979 again. This time DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS studied law after he received the speciality of the phylology before. And again he succeeded. The same happened with INNAR MARDO. He was pressed by the people of envy and hate to leave his work and positions after the intriques in the formal Bodybuilding Federattion of the Estonian SSR. INNAR MARDO did not succeed to come back in full power again. There were several attemps but he was never back to the former normal situation. Hate and envy of his bodybuilding collegues ruined his life in sport. This information is based on the letters of INNAR MARDO to DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS.

Klaipeda bodybuilding was always a „Separate Republic“. And still is. It was in Lithuania, in the U.S.S.R. and Internationally now. It was based on the social and juridical status, on the International level - remember the World Bodybuilding Leaders whom we have mentioned above. International President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS is involved in the work of a number of International organizations which are collaborating with U.N. (United Nations) and U.N.S.E.C.O. (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Who else was in the same position? The road was long. Much work and  studies were needed.

In 2011 the Official Visit of the President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation) International DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was organized to Vatican. Listening about the Bodybuilding activities during the years of prohibition of this sport in the Socialist Countries the Vatican Congregat Perfect Cardinal J. Em. JOZEF KARDINAL TOMKO (Кардинал Иозеф Томко) was interested very much. Very big interest was shown to the bodybuilding defending petition of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS and the victory that was achieved due to this. J. Em. JOZEF KARDINAL TOMKO positively evaluated our efforts to fight for the Bodybuilding Sport recognition and at once he named DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS as the „disident of the Communist Regime“. For this work done the Vatican Congregat Perfect Cardinal J. Em. JOZEF KARDINAL TOMKO presented the Original Vatican Pontific Medal (Medaglia Ufficiale di Pontificato di Sua Santita Benedetto XVI) to the International President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Federation EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS (Headquarters State Vatican, Cita del Vaticano, March 29, 2011).

During the last decades DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS had meetings and spoke about various International questions with the President Parliament Austria Professor ALFRED GERSTL (Президент Парламента Австрии профессор Альфред Герстл), the Prime Minister of the Republic Slovakia VLADIMIR MECIAR (премьер министр Словакии Владимир Мечиар), the Prime Minister of the Republic Slovakia ROBERT FICO (премьер министр Словакии Роберт Фицо), President Parliament Republic Slovakia JAN FIGEL (президент Парламента Словакии Ян Фигель), President Parliament Republic Lithuania ARUNAS VALINSKAS (президент Парламента Литвы Арунас Валинскас), Prime Minister Republic Lithuania GEDIMINAS KIRKILAS (премьер министр Литвы Гедиминас Киркилас), Prime Minister Republic Lithuania ALGIRDAS BUTKEVICIUS (премьер министр Литвы Альгирдас Буткявичус) and other High State officials of various Asia and Europe Countries.

Crowning the fifty years of bodybuilding activities of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS Russia journalists call him “The Father of Russia Bodybuilding” («Отец российского культуризма»).

In 2015 at the International contest in front of a number of Members of the Parliament Republic Lithuania the representative of the Government Republic Lithuania ANTANAS VINKUS (Антанас Винкус) named DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS the „Lithuania Embassador for the World“ («Амбассадор Литвы в мире»). Then National Teams of America, Asia, Africa and Europe took part at this event.

In September, 2023 the Rector of the oldest Ukraine Lvov Stavropigeon University Professor DSc. JAROSLAV KMIT proposed International W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation) federation President, Rector of the International Sport University (I.S.U.) DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to the respectful title the “2023 U.N.E.S.C.O. Ambassador of Peace”. U.N.E.S.C.O. (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) organization presented this title to DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. At the same time DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was awarded with the U.N.E.S.C.O. Medal and the Star.

In May, 2024 being among the delegates at the Parliament Republic Lithuania official representatives of the Republic Estonia – the U.R.K. EESTI KASAKATE UHING S.A. Colonel - General ANDREI GRITSKOV, Colonel - General VASSILI TROFIMOV, ALEKSEJ FILATOV, EVGENIA TOFFERT highly evaluated activities of International W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation)  President DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. For the active social work the Estonians presented DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS the Order of the „U.R.K. Silver Cross“.

INFORMATION. More Detailed Information on Global Site www.wff.lt

WORLD BODYBUILDING ENCYCLOPEDIA.

1970 – 1980 BEST U.S.S.R. BODYBUILDERS.

BEGINNING.

Working on the „World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia“ («Энциклопедией всемирного культуризма», „Pasaulinė kultūrizmo enciklopedija“) we are analysing lots of historic happenings and facts. Today we can list five bodybuilders of the U.S.S.R. who were most famous since 1970 until 1980. That were representing famous „Vilnius Bodybuilding School“ LEONAS PIVORIUNAS (his trainer was CESLAV TAMULEVIC, 1946 - 2021), VLADIMIR DUBININ (Владимир Дубинин, R.S.F.S.R., Leningrad, was training himself), representing „Vilnius Bodybuilding School“ PRANAS MURAUSKAS ((his trainer was CESLAV TAMULEVIC) and two Estonians - OLEV ANNUS and INDREK OTSUS. Both were trained by INNAR MARDO (1945 – 2002).

BEST BODYBUILDERS

For twenty years the only one in the World „Vilnius Bodybuilding School“ was making the road to develop bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R.. Until now no other bodybuilding school influenced bodybuilding sport and did the same in the World. The school was created by CESLAV TAMULEVICH. Later came his follower poet, writer and drama creator VITALIJ ASOVSKIJ (Виталий Асовский)). Both trainers did miracles with their pupils on stage. Everybody in the huge territory admired their works and tried to copy and follow them. About the ideas and works and future goals of the school VITALIJ ASOVSKIJ wrote a methodical story. Several years ago VITALIJ ASOVSKIJ proposed DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to fulfil works and methods of the school at the competitions of the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International. Unfortunatelly bodybuilding is in so big problem now and it is a question of it‘s official survival. We think there is the only one way out – W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International seeks recognition of the International Olympic Committee and it works on this very much.

PRANAS MURAUSKAS.

Representing „Vilnius Bodybuilding School“ PRANAS MURAUSKAS participated at bodybuilding contests since 1969 until 1974. He Always won his categories. Best result of PRANAS MURAUSKAS was the first place and the Over All Winner‘s title at the 1974 „Georg Tenno Memorial“ («Мемориал Георга Тенно») in Tallinn (Estonian SSR). Having International Standard shape PRANAS MURAUSKAS became very famous. Bodybuilding magazines and newspapers wrote much about him. He won against VLADIMIR DUBININ and OLEV ANNUS then and came into World‘s Bodybuilding History forever.

The Article will be continued and we will speak about each of the mentioned above Athletes. Follow International Page www.wff.lt

WHO IN THE U.S.S.R. THOUGHT AND ACTED ON AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL? The Role of Personality in Bodybuilding and Life

Human personality is shaped by many factors. One of the most important is the perspective from which a person evaluates events and the scale at which he or she perceives them. When discussing bodybuilding, an athlete, a coach, a sports club manager, and an organizer all view and evaluate the same phenomena differently. Even sports historians, working with the same documents and sources, often arrive at different conclusions.

When assessing the development of bodybuilding, it is important to distinguish between local-level and international-level figures. An international-level specialist must be able to rise above the realities of his era, view processes from a broader perspective, and see the larger picture. Otherwise, it becomes impossible to understand the true causes of events and their consequences.

During the formative years of bodybuilding and throughout the period when the sport was prohibited in the U.S.S.R., there were very few individuals capable of broad strategic thinking. There were also very few organizers. The bodybuilders who participated in international events in the Baltic States generally remained focused on the interests of their own cities, clubs, or regions.

Among them were Yevgeny Koltun of Tyumen in the Russian S.F.S.R., Kaliningrad coach Yuri Smolyakov, U.S.S.R. champion Alexander Lemechov from Severodvinsk, and Leningrad bodybuilder Vladimir Dubinin. In the Latvian S.S.R., a similar role was played by Feliks Sajkovskis, while in the Lithuanian S.S.R. there were essentially no internationally minded bodybuilding leaders at that time. Apart from those mentioned above, almost no active bodybuilding organizers emerged during the years when the sport was prohibited in the Soviet Union.

One exception may be considered Romanas Kalinauskas, General Secretary of the U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation. However, his activities were primarily oriented toward administrative control and state institutions. In seeking to manage processes, he frequently relied on intrigue, conflict, and the pursuit of personal ambitions. Since he spoke no foreign languages, he remained isolated from international bodybuilding developments and was unable to fully comprehend global trends within the sport.

Another exception was Innar Mardo (1946–2002) of the Estonian S.S.R. Nevertheless, his activities were largely confined to Estonia, and he did not seek to influence bodybuilding throughout the entire Soviet Union. The regularly organized international “Georg Tenno Memorial” competitions in Tallinn elevated Innar Mardo above many other Soviet organizers, as there were very few comparable events elsewhere in the U.S.S.R.

A third organizer who can be regarded as operating on an international level was Dr. Edmundas Daubaras. During the years when bodybuilding was banned—1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977—he organized the internationally recognized “Amber Prix” competitions in Klaipėda despite the disapproval of the communist authorities. After years of correspondence with the U.S.S.R. Ministry of Sport, defending the right of bodybuilding to exist, he received only negative responses. Consequently, risking both his own future and that of his family, he prepared a petition in defense of bodybuilding and personally delivered it to Moscow.

The petition was submitted to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the U.S.S.R., the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R., and the editorial offices of the central newspapers Pravda and Izvestia. The documents were officially registered by these institutions. Some time later, the political authorities permitted the continuation of the Amber Prix competitions in Klaipėda.

Leaders are rarely satisfied with stability. They are distinguished by courage, responsibility, and a willingness to assume risks. They focus on achieving results and seldom consider the possibility of failure. Most people, by contrast, choose the safer role of observers.

This raises an important question: who were the true leaders of Soviet bodybuilding?

Dr. Edmundas Daubaras followed a path similar to that of his long-time international associates—IFBB President Ben Weider, NABBA President Oscar Heidenstam, WABBA President Serge Nubret, and FIHC General Secretary Oscar State. All of them based their activities not on administrative control but on the development of sport, the search for new opportunities, and international cooperation.

The inability to speak foreign languages also limited Innar Mardo’s opportunities. However, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras consistently assisted him in overcoming this barrier. Romanas Kalinauskas, meanwhile, directed all of his efforts toward the Soviet Ministry of Sport and the U.S.S.R. Weightlifting Federation. Yet during the years when bodybuilding was prohibited, little meaningful support could be expected from these institutions.

While studying English and German Philology at Vilnius State University, Edmundas Daubaras attempted to unite sports clubs throughout Vilnius for common purposes. At the time, no one else undertook such an initiative.

It is easy to speak after obstacles have been overcome and development proceeds naturally. However, during the years when bodybuilding faced prohibition and when personal futures were at stake, almost nobody dared openly defend the sport. Only one person assumed that responsibility—Dr. Edmundas Daubaras.

Throughout more than five decades of organizational activity, many individuals sought to become his deputies, successors, or imitators. Yet none achieved comparable results.

Dr. Daubaras’ active and often turbulent work was not welcomed by everyone. Seeking to avoid constant conflicts, he enrolled at Vilnius University for a second time in 1979, having already earned a degree in Germanic Philology, and began studying law.

At approximately the same time, Innar Mardo also faced serious difficulties. Following conflicts and leadership changes within the Estonian bodybuilding federation in 1979, he lost his previous position. Later attempts to return were unsuccessful. According to his letters to Edmundas Daubaras, these events had lasting consequences for his future activities.

Klaipėda has always been distinguished by its independent spirit and unique outlook. During the Lithuanian S.S.R., throughout the Soviet Union, and now internationally, the city has often functioned as an independent cultural and social center. The bodybuilding movement in Klaipėda reflected this same spirit.

Dr. Edmundas Daubaras’ leadership eventually led him to the presidency of the international WFF–WBBF organization. Today, the federation unites national organizations from more than 140 countries around the world. In addition, he participates in the activities of various international organizations, including those cooperating with the United Nations and UNESCO.

As a result of his active international work, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras has met numerous world-renowned politicians, public figures, and representatives of religious organizations.

In 2010, in Portugal, during a convention of the International Order of Knights Templar, he was awarded the St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Medal for promoting ideas aimed at dialogue and cooperation among the world’s religions.

In 2011, an official reception for the President of the WFF–WBBF Federation took place in the Vatican. During the meeting, the federation’s activities and the history of bodybuilding in the Soviet Union were presented to Vatican officials. Cardinal Jozef Tomko, Prefect of the Vatican Congregation, characterized the efforts to defend bodybuilding during the Soviet era as dissident activity directed against the communist regime. In recognition of his contributions to health promotion and the development of professional sport, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras was awarded the Vatican Pontifical Medal.

In subsequent years, he met with parliamentary leaders, prime ministers, ministers, and other senior state officials from various countries across Europe and Asia.

In 2015, during the opening ceremony of an international tournament, Lithuanian Government representative Antanas Vinkus referred to Dr. Edmundas Daubaras as “Lithuania’s Ambassador to the World.”

In 2023, following nominations by organizations cooperating within UNESCO structures, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras was awarded the title of “Ambassador of Peace” and received a commemorative distinction.

In 2024, representatives of Estonian public organizations presented him with the U.R.K. Silver Cross Order at the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania in recognition of his active public service.

Conclusions

An analysis of the history of bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R. suggests that only a small number of individuals were capable of thinking and acting on an international level. Most remained focused on the concerns of local clubs, cities, or republics, whereas international activity required broader vision, foreign-language skills, the establishment of international contacts, and a willingness to accept personal risk.

During the years when bodybuilding was prohibited, the role of the individual became decisive. When institutions either failed to support the sport or actively opposed its development, responsibility fell upon a handful of determined leaders. Among them, Innar Mardo in Estonia and Dr. Edmundas Daubaras in Lithuania occupied particularly prominent positions.

Dr. Edmundas Daubaras distinguished himself not only through organizational ability but also through a long-term strategic vision. His work extended far beyond the organization of sporting events; it encompassed the defense of bodybuilding at political, social, and international levels.

History demonstrates that the development of sport is most often driven not by institutions but by determined individuals. Their initiative, responsibility, and ability to act under difficult circumstances become the principal forces of progress. Therefore, when discussing the history of bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R., the role of personality remains one of the most important factors that enabled the sport to survive, develop, and ultimately become an international phenomenon.

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The Role of Czechoslovakia in World Bodybuilding and Its Influence on Soviet Bodybuilding

Czechoslovakia – the Socialist World's Gateway to the West

The history of international bodybuilding has largely been written from the perspective of the major organizations, primarily IFBB and NABBA. As a result, many significant historical events have either been overlooked or interpreted from a single point of view. This article does not claim to present the ultimate historical truth; rather, it seeks to draw attention to facts that have long been ignored or insufficiently recognized.

It has often been noted that the IFBB presents its history as one of independent organizational development, while paying little attention to the fact that its acceptance into the official international sports community was closely connected with the work of American sports promoter Bob Hoffman. Many organizational principles, international contacts, and competition models were inherited from already existing structures.

NABBA's historical narrative raises similar questions. The association traces its origins to the 1948 "Mr. Universe" contest held in London under the auspices of the FIHC, although NABBA itself did not yet exist at that time. Even more controversial is the continued use of the image of John Grimek—the second overall FIHC Mr. Universe champion—within NABBA's symbolism. Grimek was an AAU athlete and a protégé of Bob Hoffman, yet there is no evidence that he ever competed in a NABBA event. Such examples illustrate that the history of international bodybuilding still contains numerous issues deserving further scholarly examination.

The year 2027 will mark the 80th anniversary of the official recognition of bodybuilding as a sport. It will also commemorate the 60th anniversary of the "Amber Prix" (Gintarinis prizas), one of the oldest continuously organized bodybuilding tournaments in the world. These anniversaries provide an appropriate opportunity to re-examine bodybuilding history from the perspective not only of Western countries but also of Eastern Europe.

The Unique Position of Czechoslovakia

Between 1973 and 1987, bodybuilding was officially banned or severely restricted throughout most of the Soviet Union and many other socialist countries. Czechoslovakia, however, occupied a unique position.

Following the events of the Prague Spring in 1968, the Soviet leadership sought to avoid provoking additional political tensions within Czechoslovakia. Taking advantage of this situation, Czechoslovak sports officials successfully presented bodybuilding as a system of strength training, physical conditioning, and health promotion. This strategy enabled them to preserve their national bodybuilding federation and maintain contacts with the international bodybuilding community.

This opportunity proved exceptional within the socialist bloc. While athletes from other socialist countries remained largely isolated from the West, Czechoslovak bodybuilders were able to compete internationally, establish relations with the IFBB and other organizations, and maintain regular communication with foreign sports officials.

From today's historical perspective, the greatest achievement was not individual titles or medals but the successful breaking of political isolation.

The Historic Breakthrough of 1975

One of the most significant milestones in bodybuilding during the 1970s was the work of Vojtěch Fiala, President of the Czechoslovak National Bodybuilding Federation.

Through his personal international contacts, Fiala secured Czechoslovakia's participation in the 1975 IFBB European Championships held in Western Europe. At these championships, Petr Stach won the Overall European Championship title.

This victory represented far more than a sporting success. For the first time, a bodybuilder from a socialist country demonstrated that Eastern European athletes could successfully compete against the strongest competitors from the West. Even more importantly, participation itself established a precedent for the entire socialist bloc.

History often remembers those who achieve breakthroughs first, and for this reason the contributions of Vojtěch Fiala and Petr Stach occupy a unique place in international bodybuilding history.

Czechoslovakia's Assistance to Soviet Bodybuilding

Czechoslovak sports leaders understood that national achievements alone were not enough. They also sought to support bodybuilders from other socialist countries.

At the initiative of Vojtech Fiala and Professor František Bulva, several meetings were organized in Prague between Edmundas Daubaras and officials of the Czechoslovak Sports Ministry (ČSTV). Their objective was to obtain official government approval for sporting cooperation between Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union.

During 1978–1979, an ambitious project was developed to organize two joint bodybuilding competitions. One would be held during the Czechoslovak National Championships, while the second would take place in Klaipėda during the traditional “Amber Prix” tournament.

The Czechoslovak Ministry of Sports approved the project, and Edmundas Daubaras received official invitations for the leading Soviet bodybuilders.

The planned Soviet delegation included:

Head of Delegation – Edmundas Daubaras and Estonian Innar Mardo (1945-2002); National Team Coach and Director of the Vilnius School of Bodybuilding – Ceslav Tamulevic; Olev Annus (Estonia); Jevgenij Gorelik (Lithuania); Vladas Kapcevičius (Lithuania); Jevgenij Zhurcev (Lithuania); Albertas Besakirskas (Lithuania).

Had the project been realized, it would have become the first officially organized appearance of Soviet bodybuilders in an international sporting environment while bodybuilding remained prohibited within the USSR.

A Lost Opportunity

The project was never implemented. In the author's assessment, internal conflicts within the Soviet bodybuilding community played the decisive role in its collapse. Personal rivalries of Romanas Kalinauskas ultimately destroyed a cooperative initiative that had required several years of preparation and could have fundamentally altered the development of Soviet bodybuilding.

Nevertheless, the work invested was not wasted.

When Edmundas Daubaras later prepared his petition to the highest political authorities in Moscow requesting the legalization of bodybuilding, he drew upon the organizational experience, official documentation, and international contacts established through cooperation with Czechoslovakia. These materials strengthened the argument that bodybuilding could function as a legitimate sport within the Soviet system.

Although bodybuilding officially remained banned, Soviet authorities eventually permitted Daubaras to organize the “Amber Prix” tournament publicly in Klaipėda. In later years, the USSR Ministry of Sport officially recognized this tournament as the unofficial Soviet Bodybuilding Championship.

Thus, the groundwork laid in Czechoslovakia indirectly contributed to the gradual restoration of bodybuilding throughout the Soviet Union.

Historical Recognition

In 2011, the Vatican recognized Edmundas Daubaras for his activities during the years when bodybuilding was prohibited. He was acknowledged as a dissident in relation to the communist regime and was awarded the Medal of Pope Benedict XVI.

This recognition demonstrates that the history of bodybuilding cannot be understood solely through sporting achievements. In many socialist countries, the preservation and promotion of bodybuilding became a form of civic resistance and a defense of the right to free athletic and social activity.

Conclusions

From the perspective of twentieth-century sports history, Czechoslovakia played a far greater role in the development of international bodybuilding than has generally been acknowledged.

It was the first socialist country to establish practical sporting links across the Iron Curtain and maintain regular relations with Western bodybuilding organizations. The organizational efforts of Vojtěch Fiala and Petr Stach's victory at the 1975 IFBB European Championships marked an historic turning point, demonstrating that political barriers could be overcome.

Equally significant was Czechoslovakia's willingness to assist Soviet bodybuilders. The cooperation initiated by Vojtech Fiala and Professor František Bulva and Edmundas Daubaras represented the first serious attempt to establish official sporting relations between Soviet bodybuilding and the Western bodybuilding community while political restrictions were still in force.

Although the joint project was ultimately never realized, its organizational legacy became an important foundation for the subsequent campaign to legalize bodybuilding within the Soviet Union. In this sense, Czechoslovakia's contribution to the development of Soviet bodybuilding was neither accidental nor symbolic—it was strategic.

Ultimately, history is shaped not only by championship titles or outstanding physiques but also by individuals whose decisions transform the course of sport itself. Viewed from this perspective, Vojtěch Fiala, František Bulva, and Edmundas Daubaras occupy an important place in the history of European and world bodybuilding. Their cooperation created a bridge between two opposing political systems at a time when such collaboration seemed almost impossible.