BODYBUILDING – NO LONGER A SPORT? Who Destroyed Bodybuilding in Lithuania?

Today, the crisis of bodybuilding is openly discussed not only in Lithuania but throughout the world. For many people it has already become obvious why this sport has lost its authority, popularity, and athletic value. Only a few know the real actors behind this process, but today we can calmly look back at history and facts.

The global turning point came around 1990, when professional wrestling magnate Vince McMahon attempted to take over professional bodybuilding and transform it into a commercial entertainment show. At that moment, bodybuilding began rapidly moving away from the principles of traditional sport.

Soon afterward, many of the most famous female professional bodybuilders left the sport forever, including Corinna Everson. This was a clear sign that bodybuilding was fundamentally changing.

Another major blow came in 1998, when the International Olympic Committee refused to recognize the IFBB federation and, consequently, did not recognize bodybuilding as an Olympic sport. From that moment it became clear that bodybuilding had lost any realistic chance of being considered a fully legitimate sport. Although IFBB federations in some countries still receive government funding, in many cases this continues more out of inertia than because of genuine sporting value.

The Situation in Lithuania

For decades Lithuania was one of the strongest bodybuilding nations in Eastern Europe. Today, however, its influence on the international stage has practically disappeared. The bodybuilding community knows very well who is responsible for this situation.

For many years, the Lithuanian IFBB federation publicly attacked other organizations, accusing their athletes of using doping substances. Yet statistics speak for themselves — IFBB athletes themselves have repeatedly appeared in doping scandals, and the list of such cases seems endless.

Because of the current IFBB policies, many real bodybuilders have left the federation. Those who remain usually compete in events where doping control is either weak or purely symbolic.

This was clearly visible at this year’s Lithuanian IFBB Championship in Kėdainiai. Any experienced observer could easily notice that there were practically no athletes on stage representing the idea of natural bodybuilding.

The situation in regional competitions is even more disappointing. At a recent event in Šiauliai, only four bodybuilders and six women of questionable athletic quality participated. This demonstrates not growth, but a deepening crisis.

Alternative Directions

Meanwhile, the level of athletes competing in NAC championships remains relatively high, with some competitors displaying truly international-level conditioning. However, even there the number of participants remains limited.

The international WFF-WBBF federation has chosen a completely different direction. For many years, the federation has been developing original fitness and aesthetic sport disciplines while searching for new formats and audiences.

A few weeks ago, WFF-WBBF competitions held in Klaipėda attracted as many as 289 athletes. This proves that an alternative path may have real potential.

Interestingly, various international organizations are increasingly copying WFF-WBBF ideas. Recently, IFBB organized its first exhibition aerial acrobatic fitness competition in Spain — a discipline that has long existed within the WFF-WBBF system.

When there are no original ideas of your own, copying others becomes the only option.

Can Bodybuilding Recover?

Today, classical bodybuilding worldwide has nearly reached rock bottom. The number of competitors is declining, public interest is fading, and sporting credibility continues to disappear.

However, this does not mean everything is lost.

There are new directions, new disciplines, and a new understanding of aesthetic physical culture. A more modern model must be developed — one that appeals to younger generations, preserves athletic value, and is not confined to the outdated structure of traditional bodybuilding.

The road will not be short, and it will not be easy.

But time will tell — perhaps we will succeed.

More information is on International Site www.wff.lt

LEGENDARY “AMBER PRIX”.

1968 “Amber Prix International”.

Following the successful inaugural competition held in 1967, the bodybuilders of Klaipėda continued to foster the traditions of athletic gymnastics. In 1968, the second “Amber Prix” tournament became an international event, bringing together athletes from the Lithuanian SSR, Latvian SSR, and the Russian SFSR.

That same year, during an international tournament held in Kaunas, the “USSR Bodybuilding Federation” (Athletic Gymnastics Commission) was established to coordinate the development of bodybuilding throughout the Soviet Union. Five members were elected to the federation’s executive board, including two Lithuanians: Vytautas Zumeris and Valerijus Koreškovas.

During the “Amber Prizx” tournament in Klaipėda, the federation also held a meeting to discuss current organizational matters and the further development of the sport.

Competition Results

(top three places only)

Youth Group

Height Category 1

Pavel Tarakanov (Vilnius, Lithuanian SSR) Vytautas Venclauskas (Kėdainiai, Lithuanian SSR) Osvaldas Griskevicius (Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR)

Height Category 2

Valdas Aliubavicius (Vilnius, Lithuanian SSR) Algis Jonkus (Palanga, Lithuanian SSR) Valdas Kapcevicius (Kėdainiai, Lithuanian SSR)

Height Category 3

Arvydas Lekstutis (Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR) Vidmantas Povilionis (Klaipėda, Lithuanian SSR) Jurij Tiurikov (Kėdainiai, Lithuanian SSR)

Adult Group

Height Category 1

Klemensas Alsauskas (Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR) Jevgenij Koltun (Tyumen, Russian SFSR) Girsas Langevicius (Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR)

Height Category 2

Lionginas Danilevicius (Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR) Alfonsas Mecius (Klaipėda, Lithuanian SSR) Mecislovas Seibokas (Ukmergė, Lithuanian SSR)

Height Category 3

Leonas Pivoriunas (Vilnius, Lithuanian SSR) Antanas Mineikis (Klaipėda, Lithuanian SSR) Danil Pasternak (Riga, Latvian SSR)

Overall Winners

Valdas Aliubavicius – overall winner of the youth group Leonas Pivoriunas – overall winner of the adult group.

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

1967 COMPETITIONS IN KLAIPĖDA.
THE BEGINNING OF THE “AMBER PRIX”.

In 1967, the first “Amber Prix” tournament held in Klaipėda became one of the most significant events in the history of bodybuilding sport. The competition marked the beginning of a tradition that has continued for six decades, making the “Amber Prix” one of the oldest bodybuilding tournaments in in the World today.

In Europe, only the National Amateur Body Building Association “Universe” contest, organized in England since 1950, has a longer history, while in the United States the “Mr. Olympia” contest has been held since 1965. Following these events, the Klaipėda-based “Amber Prix” continues its own distinguished history and traditions.

During the 1960s, a new sport emerged in Lithuania — bodybuilding. At that time, it was officially called “athletic gymnastics,” as the Western term “bodybuilding” was politically unacceptable in the Soviet Union. The sport rapidly gained popularity, and regular competitions began to be organized, including the “Amber Prix” tournaments. Viewed from today’s perspective, these events reflect not only the history of Lithuanian bodybuilding, but also that of the entire socialist world of the period. It was here that fitness later emerged as an independent sports discipline.

The first “Amber Prix” tournament took place in April 1967 at the Klaipėda Polytechnic School. The main organizer of the event was Antanas Jonuškutis (1942–2003). The competition consisted of two parts: in the first, athletes competed in strength exercises, while in the second they demonstrated muscular development and physical aesthetics.

A total of fourteen athletes participated in the inaugural tournament. Among them were already well-known competitors from Kaunas — Algimantas Ramanauskas (1944–2022), Primas Bieliūnas, Klemensas Alšauskas, and Gintautas Šiuolis. The winner of the first “Amber Prix” tournament was Klemensas Alšauskas.

More details are on International Site www.wff.lt

WORLD FITNESS FEDERATION (WFF-International) WORLD BODYBUILDING FEDERATION (WBBF-International)

International sporting activities since 1968 | 141 member countries | 60 international events annually!

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENTS OF 2027

May 7–9, 2027 | Klaipeda, Lithuania

Three major international bodybuilding and fitness competitions will take place in Klaipeda over three days:

60th AMBER PRIX INTERNATIONAL

27th AM/PRO UNIVERSE CHAMPIONSHIP

31st AM/PRO EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

KLAIPEDA WELCOMES THE INTERNATIONAL SPORTING COMMUNITY!

The World Fitness Federation (WFF-International) and the World Bodybuilding Federation (WBBF-International) invite athletes, coaches, sports officials, bodybuilding and fitness enthusiasts, and the general public to join these outstanding international sporting events.

Distinguished guests from various countries are also expected to attend, including representatives from political, sporting and public life.

Klaipeda will become an international meeting point for the bodybuilding and fitness community!

Dates: May 7–9, 2027
Location: Klaipeda, Lithuania

For further information, visit:
www.wff.lt
www.worldfitness.lt

See you in Klaipeda in 2027!

PRESS RELEASE WFF History and Identity Once Again in the Spotlight: WFF-WBBF International Calls for Facts, Documents and Transparency

September 24, 2026

WFF-WBBF International is drawing public attention to recent developments in Singapore involving an organisation using the World Fitness Federation (WFF) name and activities publicly promoted by Graeme Lancefield.

A document issued by WFF Singapore announces the appointment of Ibrahim Sihat as Athlete Director and his participation in the WFF Singapore Executive Committee. The document also refers to the establishment of the WFF in 1968.

This development is significant in the context of an ongoing dispute concerning the history, identity and organisational continuity of the World Fitness Federation (WFF).

A Dispute Over WFF History

The position of WFF-WBBF International is clear: the history and legacy of WFF should be established through historical documents, official archives and verifiable organisational records.

At the same time, the organisation associated with Graeme Lancefield presents its own historical account of WFF and also connects the federation's origins with 1968.

As a result, there are currently different publicly presented accounts of WFF's history and organisational continuity.

The Latest Example: Singapore

The WFF Singapore document states that Ibrahim Sihat has been appointed Athlete Director, with responsibilities including identifying promising athletes, encouraging participation in competitions and developing a pathway from beginner level to international competition.

Graeme Lancefield has also publicly congratulated Ibrahim Sihat on the appointment and referred to the development of the WFF Singapore fitness community and the identification of local talent for international teams.

WFF-WBBF International points out that these developments once again raise an important question: who represents the historical legacy of WFF, and on what documented basis are different organisations using the WFF name?

“History Must Be Supported by Documents”

WFF-WBBF International emphasises that the history of an international sporting organisation should not be established solely through public statements, social-media publications or recently issued national documents.

“WFF has a history spanning many decades. Therefore, claims concerning the organisation's origins, continuity and international identity should be examined through historical documents, official records and verifiable evidence.”

WFF-WBBF International continues to publish historical information, competition records and archival material through its international website:
WFF-WBBF International – WFF.lt

A Question for the International Fitness Community

WFF-WBBF International believes that athletes, coaches, federations and the public have the right to know which organisations represent the WFF name, what their documented history is, and what evidence supports their claims.

The organisation therefore calls on the international fitness community to examine this matter on the basis of facts, historical documentation and verifiable evidence.

WFF history should not be rewritten through social-media statements alone.

A history dating back to 1968 is too important to be defined by declarations without supporting documentation.

About WFF-WBBF International

WFF-WBBF International is an international organisation involved in bodybuilding, fitness and related sports disciplines, with historical records and archives documenting international competitions and organisational activities.

More information:
WFF-WBBF International – www.wff.lt

Media contact: WFF-WBBF International
Subject: WFF history, organisational continuity and the use of the WFF name.