IMPRISONED WITH NOBEL PRIZE OWNER ALEKSANDR SOLZHENITSYN.

GEORG TENNO – ESTONIA HEROE OF SOVIET TIMES.

SOCIALIST WORLD BODYBUILDING HISTORY.

In the sixties of the last century the greatest bodybuilding propaganda in the USSR was made by the Estonian weightlifter GEORG TENNO (Георгий Тэнно). GEORG TENNO was a former navy officer and participant of the Second World War. In 1948 due to a false accusement of spying against the USSR GEORG TENNO was arrested and sentenced to eight years imprisonment. It happened that GEORG TENNO was placed in the same prison cell together with the USSR disident ALEKSANDR SOLZHENITSYN  (Александр Солженицын). During the imprisonment GEORG TENNO made five unsuccessfull attempts to run away. There is a story about GEORG TENNO in the famous book of ALEKSANDR SOLZHENITSYN „Arkhipelag Gulag“ named „The Runaway“ “ («Убежденный беглец»). About GEORG TENNO ALEKSANDR SOLZHENITSYN wrote: „He was the most stronger and the most brave of us...“. In 1970 Nobel Committee awarded ALEKSANDR SOLZHENITSYN with the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Ending the fifties of the last century GEORGIJ TENNO was released from the prison. He started working at the USSR Institute of Scientific Studies of the Physical Culture (ВНИИФК, Всесоюзный научно исследовательский институт физической культуры).

In 1968 GEORG TENNO published his book „The Athletism“ («Атлетизм»). At once it became very popular. The book was full of information: training methods, recupperation after workouts and various diets. At that time this was a unique information. Though GEORG TENNO did not speak about the sources of his knowlidge but it was evident he used various foreign literature. The work at the institute gave him such opportunities. After imprisonment GEORG TENNO knew very well all political moments and he was carefull. Due to this in his book he wrote that „bodybuilding is not to stay in fron of a mirror. Bodybuilding is to strenthen the muscles that will serve to the country“.

Once VLADIMIR CIUDINOV in the USSR popular magazine „Sportivnaja žizn Rossii“ («Спортивная жизнь России») insisted that the USSR system of physical culture should accept the bodybuilding methods developed by GEORG TENNO. He speaks how GEORG TENNO translated information from the „West“ literature. Often he just copied the methodical information. GEORG TENNO never saw any diference between the bodybuilding and the „athletism“. Also GEORG TENNO thought that „everybody for himself is the advicer and the trainer“.

Suddenly when the prosecution of bodybuilding started GEORG TENNO  died in an accident. Who knows - maybe it was an accidental death.

To remember GEORG TENNO Estonians started organizing the „Georg Tenno Memorial“ («Мемориал Георга Тенно») contest in 1971. Fourteen Memorials were organized until 1989. For long years of the bodybuilding prohibition and prosecution in the Socialist Countries  „Georg Tenno Memorial“ and the historic „Amber Prix International“ („Gintarinis Prizas“, «Янтарный приз», 1968-2019) were the only one regular bodybuilding competitons in the Socialist Countries.

Remark: the documents of the „Georg Tenno Memorial“ collected by the President WFF-WBBF Estonia INNAR MARDO are kept in the archieves of the WFF-WBBF International Federation.

INFORMATION.
More detailed information on the Global International Site www.wff.lt, see forum topics.

WORLD WOMEN FITNESS SHORT HISTORY.

GREAT STARS OF WORLD FITNESS.

Today everybody knows that OKSANA GRISINA (Оксана Гришина, Russian Federation) is the conteporary World Fitness Leader. Just now she won Pro „Olympia“ contest and it was done maybe ten times in a row. But anyhow World Fitness started 100 years ago in the USA.

LITHUANIA EMIGRANT CONGUERS AMERICA.

It was Emigrant of Lithuania BRONE DUBAR (Broné “Brownie” Dubar, Daubaraitė, 1906 – 1986) who came with her family to the USA in 1912. When her sport achievements went high she started public shows. Specialists use to call her „World Fitness Pioneer“ but in her times there was no any fitness sport at all. To say more – women sport was included to „Olympics“ only in 1920. This was the reason that 100 years ago gymnastic and acrobatic exercises of BRONE DUBAR were not named as „sport“. Aiming to make fitness propaganda BRONE DUBAR made her shows through all USA – from South to North and from West to East.

FIRST OVER ALL WORLD FITNESS CHAMPION.

Lithuanian EDITA SENDRIENE (Daubaraite, Dubar) was the ground ground ground daughter of BRONE DUBAR.  From the childhood attending balely and gymnastic schools she visited a N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) Show in Malta.  EDITA SENDRIENE liked performances of some „Miss Figure“ participants. Returned to Lithuania she decided to train and participate at sport competitions. Everything was ok. In 1996 the founders of the W.F.F. - International (World Fitness Federation) DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS and German KLAUS P.J. HOFFMANN started World Fitness Championships in Kaizerslautern (Germany). This way in 1997 in Manheim (Germany) EDITA SENDRIENE became the Over All World Fitness Champion. „Eurosport“ Television made several reports about this. The Sport Ministry of Lithuanian Republic wanted to present EDITA SENDRIENE a Governmental Award but envy and intrigues among sport federations ruined this idea.

 SECOND AND THIRD OVER ALL WORLD FITNESS CHAMPIONS.

After the victory of EDITA SENDRIENE the next two talanted World „Fitness Stars“ became the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) Over All World Fitness Champions. That were MARIETA ZIGALOVA (Republic Slovakia) and ALEKSANDRA KOBIELAK (Republic Poland). For many years on both Athletes were representing their Countries at the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation) World and Europe Fitness Championships. Both of them led the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. National Teams of Aerobic Fitness and „Fit – kids“.

INFORMATION.
More detailed information on the Global International Site www.wff.lt, see forum topics. Also information available on the Facebook pages: W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International, W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. North America, W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. South America, W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Asia, W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Europe, W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Africa, W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Asia Continental Federation, International Sport University (I.S.U.), W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Pro Division, W.P.S.F. World Power Sports Federation.

1991 SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING NEWS.

1991 OVERTROW IN MOSCOW.

Nobody even saw in dreams that “1991 August Moscow Overthrow” (августовский путч в Москве) will loose so quick. The hew horizons were opened for all Socialist Countries. In sport too. The U.S.S.R. was fighting to remai alive and all Socialist Countries fighted for their independence.

After the “1991 August Moscow Overthrow” everybody who had been afraid to fight became “alive”. Now they were brave. Among them was Vice President “U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation” («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.») ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS (Романас Калинаускас). Only now he created “Lithuania bodybuilding federation” which later became the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) member. At the same time DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS (Др. Эдмундас Даубарас) led his “National Bodybuilding Association” (Национальная ассоциация культуризма Литовской Республики) and was going on to work with N.A.B.B.A. International (National Amateur Body Building Association). We would underline that in May, 1991 the Ministry of Sport Republic Lithuania assisted DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to create his federation. Owner and President of I.F.B.B. BEN WEIDER was acting as ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS. Only after the “1991 August Moscow Overthrow” BEN WEIDER dared to recognize Independent Republic Lithuania and to let Lithuania Bodybuilding Federation to join the I.F.B.B..

No one of the U.S.S.R. bodybuilding leaders knew anything about International Bodybuilding Organizations of the “Western World”. It took much time to get the truth about them. That lasted until when in 1996 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS and German KLAUS P.J.HOFFNMAN created the W.F.F. (W.F.F. - International, World Fitness Federation) in 1996. The W.F.F. was registered officially in 1999. Later in 2005 the W.B.B.F. (W.B.B.F. - International, World Body Building Federation) was created and registered in Lithuania. But about this we will speak in the third book of the “World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia” («Энциклопедия всемирного культуризма»).

Full article and more information is on International Site www.wff.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.

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.

DSC.EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS STOPPED U.S.S.R. BODYBUILDING PROHIBITION.

DSc.EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS received several calls after bringing bodybuilding defending petition to the highest U.S.S.R. political powers in Moscow. Calls were from the “Central Committee of the U.S.S.R. Communist Party” («Отдел пропаганды Комитета коммунистической партии С.С.С.Р.»). The petition questions were spoken over. After some time the connection of phone of DSc.EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was stopped. DSc.EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was invited to the department of the Communist Party of Klaipeda city. Chairman of the department JONAS GURECKAS told DSc.EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS not to bother Moscow any more. “We are giving You permeation to organized bodybuilding “Amber Prix” (“Gintarinis prizas”, «Янтарный приз», 1968 - 2025) in Klaipeda”. It was a strange decision - bodybuilding was prohibited in the U.S.S.R. and DSc.EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS can organize bodybuilding contest in Klaipeda. Anyway it was the Victory for all bodybuilders of Socialist Countries.

This way in 1978 the first bodybuilding contest was done in public. Through years of bodybuilding prohibition “Amber Prix International” and “Georg Tenno Memorial («Мемориал Георга Тенно», 1971 - 2025, Estonian SSR) were the only one traditional International competitions of Socialist Countries.

Later political Comsomol organizers started public contests in Kaunas and then it came to Vilnius.

The article will be continued.

Pictures used from vsfoto.lt.

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

3-D WORLD “POLE DANCE FITNESS” CHAMPIONSHIP.

37-TH WORLD AM-PRO CHAMPIONSHIP.

59-TH “AMEBR PRIX INTERNATIONAL”.

On May 9-10, 2026 the third World “Pole Dance Fitness” Championship will be held in Klaipeda Zveju Palace (Republic Lithuania). It will be held together with the 37-th W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Bodybuilding Federation) World AM-Pro Championship and the 59-th “Amber Prix International” (1968 -2025).

Former Over All World “Pole Dance Fitness” Champions were:

2024 m. - Gintare Staliulionyte, Republic Lithuania

2025 m. - Jana Solovjova, Republic Lithuania.

More information on International Site  www.wff.lt

Contest Registration - www.worldfitness.lt