2026 MEGA EVENTS INTERNATIONAL

37-th Am-Pro World Championship

45-th Am-Pro „World Grand Prix“

3-d „Neringa Mayor‘s Cup“

October 24 - 25, 2026, Nida Resort, „Agila“ Palace, Lithuania

Official Documents, Articles, Statistics on Global Page www.wff.lt

CONTEST REGISTRATION on www.worldfitness.lt

BREAKING SPORT NEWS.

FIRST FITNESS FEDERATION WITHOUT DOPING.

Some time ago a new national fitness organization was registered in Lithuania. That is the “Lithuania Sport Fitness Federation” (L.S.F.F., “Lietuvos sportinio fitneso federacija”). In the nearest future federation will join the World Anti Doping Agency (W.A.D.A.) World Anti Doping Code. Federation declares fitness sport without doping. Federation invites representatives of all possible non doping fitness activities to join it.

Federation stands on position that real fitness sport is without doping when bodybuilding at the same time means total doping. In order to fool the sport society all bodybuilding federations use to hide themselves behind “fitness” name. They present various “fitness categories” which in real are doping bodybuilding categories and could not survive without doping.

More information is on International Site www.wff.lt

1990 SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING NEWS.

1990 I.F.B.B. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, MALAYSIA.

In 1990 U.S.S.R. bodybuilding was tightly connected with the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders). In 1990 I.F.B.B. federation was celebrating it‘s 20 years anyversary (I.F.B.B. was created by the F.I.H.C. (F.I.H.C., Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturiste) General Secretary OSCAR STATE in 1970 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia). Most all sports athletes of Lithuania did not participe at the official U.S.S.R. Championships and the U.S.S.R. National Teams under request of the National Olympic Committee of the Lithuanian SSR (L.T.O.K., Lietuvos Tautinis Olimpinis Komitetas, Национальный Олимпийский комитет Литовской ССР). But not all bodybuilders followed this N.O.C. request. In 1990 U.S.S.R. bodybuilders participated at the I.F.B.B. World Championship in Kuala Lampur (Malaysia). As it was in 1989 during the I.F.B.B. World Championship in Paris (France) DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was invited to Malaysia as a personal quest of the I.F.B.B. President BEN WEIDER.  As it was in 1989 during the I.F.B.B. World Championship in Paris (France) DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS could take any Lithuanian SSR represitative to accompany him. This time DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS took RAMUTIS KAIRAITIS with him as in 1989 Vice President «U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation»  («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.») ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS behaved rude in Paris. Representatives of the Lithuanian SSR went to Malaysia separate of the U.S.S.R. National Team.

One hundred bodybuilders participated at the 1990 I.F.B.B. World Championship. The contest was very pompastic. For organization of the contest was done huge work of the I.F.B.B. Vice President PAUL CHUA (Singapore). As USA sport specialist BOB GOLDMAN explained, the Malaysia Prime Minister MOHAMAD MAHATHIR gave 3.400 million USA dollars state money for the contest. Also he was present at the competition too. World Championship Category Winners were: EL AMAWY (Egypt), JOSEF DAWSON (USA), WILHELM JASINOWSKI (Germany), ALQ GURLAY (USA), AHIM ALBRECHT (Germany).

1990 I.F.B.B. „MISS OLYMPIA“, NEW YORK.

After 1990 I.F.B.B. World Championship in Malaysia in order to continue the dialogue with DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS the I.F.B.B. President BEN WEIDER invited him as his personal quest to 1990 I.F.B.B. professional „Miss Olympia“ in New York (USA). That was already the 11-th I.F.B.B. Pro „Miss Olympia“ competition. Many top Professional women bodybuilders left the sport as the new „huge muscle“ generation came on Professional stage. Big muscle road started with LENDA MURRAY. Again as it was at the 1989 I.F.B.B. World Championship in Paris (France) and as it was at the 1990 I.F.B.B. World Championship in Kuala Lampur (Malaysia) BEN WEIDER agreed that DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS for negotiations will take one more representative of the Lithuanian Republic. This time DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS took together the 1981 „Amber Prix International“ („Gintarinis prizas“, «Янтарный приз», 1968 – 2025) and Category Winner of the 1988 „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Cup“ («Кубок С.С.С.Р. по культуризму»)  Champion SAULIUS MISEVICIUS. 1990 „Miss Olympia“ was held at the New York „Beacon Theatre“.

The negotiations about Lithuania entering the I.F.B.B. separate from the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“  («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.»)  were held in New York „Hemsley“ hotel. The I.F.B.B. President BEN WEIDER informed DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS about this decission to folow the rules of the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ and not to alow Lithuania to enter the I.F.B.B. steping ove the U.S.S.R..

The places at the 1990 I.F.B.B. „Miss Olympia“ were as it is: first Lenda Murray (USA), second Bev Francis (Australia), third Anja Schreiner (Germany), fourth Laura Creavalle (USA), fifth Jackie Paisley (USA), sixth Sharon Arrildt (USA).

1990. W.B.F.. VINCE MAC MAHON.

In 1990 there was a big crisis in the I.F.B.B.. I.F.B.B. had no „federation patriots“. Nearly all I.F.B.B. professionals left I.F.B.B.. very active in the new W.B.F. (World Bodybuilding Federation“) were TOM PLATZ and LOU FERRIGNO. Also there were somehow DANNY PADILLA and TONY PEARSON. Famous Pro bodybuildewrs entered newly done federation W.B.F. which was created by American VINCE MAC MAHON. VINCE MAC MAHON made no secret – he wanted to make business of it. In order to collect best professional bodybuilders he declared an uncomparibably very big prize money for bodybuilders. „Joe Weider‘s Olympia“ could not compete with VINCE MAC MAHON‘s  prize money. The biggest success was for GARY STRYDOM. He took 275 000 USA dollars then. He got real money. It was not like it is now – they declare big prize money at Pro contests and athletes receive nothing at all. It is a very good way to fool athlets. Do You know at least one Pro bodybuilder who became rich by winning prize money at contests? We mean real prize money, not of selling „supplements“, narcotics or selling even themselves... (Full Article on Global Site www.wff.lt )

1990. I.F.B.B. EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP.

It was the first time in the history of the U.S.S.R. to hold European Bodybuilding Championship. It was done in 1990 in Leningrad (R.S.F.S.R.). The Category Winners were: women - SUKUPOVA EVA (Czechoslovakian S.S.R.), KLIEBER BETINA (F.R.G., Federal Republic of Germany), MONTEMAGGI CLAUDIA (Italy); men – GROLMUS PAVOL (Czechoslovakian S.S.R.), CARROLL JOHN (Ireland), BARDONI ANGELO (Italy), PAAVO AIN (U.S.S.R., Estonian SSR), HARTL STEFAN (F.R.G.). Full Article on Global Site www.wff.lt ).

1990. „AMBER PRIX INTERNATIONAL“.

There were two important happenings around the1990 „Amber Prix International“ (Gintarinis prizas“, «Янтарный приз», 1968 – 2024). The first one was since 1988 lasting negotiations of the Lithuania to enter the I.F.B.B. federation separately from the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.»). Then the process was led by DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. The second one was big wish of the „U.S.S.R. Ministry of Sport“ («Министерство спорта С.С.С.Р.») not to alow Lithuania to enter the I.F.B.B.. This was the reason that together with the 1990 „Amber Prix International“ the „U.S.S.R. Junior Bodybuilding Championship“ («Чемпионат С.С.С.Р. по культуризму среди молодёжи») was held in Klaipeda (Lithuanian Republic). At the contest participated 62 bodybuilders of the National Teams of the folowing countries: R.S.F.S.R., Ukraine SSR, belorussian SSR, Latvian SSR, Lithuanian SSR, Estonian SSR, Kazachstan SSR, Georgian SSR. The Category Winners were: Juniors - SLIVKO SERGEJ (Сливко Сергей, Ukraine SSR), JAKOVLEV PAVEL (Яковлев Павел, R.S.F.S.R.), SOLODKOV KIRIL (Солодков Кирилл, R.S.F.S.R.), KABANOVSKIJ DENIS (Кабановский Денис, R.S.F.S.R.), GAVRILOVIC SERGEJ (Гаврилович Сергей, Belorussian SSR). Over All Junior Champion was proclamed KIRIL SOLODKOV. Winners of the Men Categories were: GORELIK EUGENE (Горелик Евгений, Lithuanian Republic), BARTKEVICIUS ARVYDAS (Lithuanian Republic), ZUR OLEG (Жур Олег, Lithuanian Republic), REPSYS EDMUNDAS (Lithuanian Republic), KAZAKEVICIUS REMIGIJUS (Lithuanian Republic). Over All Winner was OLEG ZUR. First time in the history of the „Amber Prix International“ women bodybuilders participated at the contest. Category Winners were: JEGOROVA ANNA (Егорова Анна, Lithuanian Republic), MURNIKOVIENE NATALIA (Мурниковене Духович Наталия, Duchovic, Lithuanian Republic). Title of the Over All Winner went to NATALIA MURNIKOVIENE. Full Article on Global Site www.wff.lt )

1990 U.S.S.R. ECONOMIC BLOCKADE TO LITHUANIA.

D.D.R. BODYBUILDERS WANT TO RUIN BLOCKADE.

Socialist Republic of Lithuania was a part of the U.S.S.R. for several decades. On March 11, 1990 Lithuanian Republic restored it‘s independance. In April, 1990 the U.S.S.R. started economic blockade to young Lithuanian Republic. The blockade lasted 75 days. Most goods could not reach the Country. Especially gasoline and oil products.

Communicating with representatives of various countries DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was explaining to them the political situation of Lithuania.

Aiming to stop the blockade bodybuilders of the D.D.R. (Deutsche Demokratische Republik, G.D.R., German Democratic Republic, Г.Д.Р., Германская Демократическая Республика) sent DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS a number of telegrammes and offered help for the Lithuanian Republic. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS connected with the Government of the republic Lithuania and spoke with the Prime Minister KAZIMIERA PRUNSKIENE. The Prime Minister said „lithuania needs no help. We will manage to solve the problem ourselves“.

1990. U.S.S.R. BODYBUILDERS VISITED USA.

In 1990 the U.S.S.R. bodybuilders visited USA. A number of theatric show competitions were organized for them. The event was paid by BILLY PAX. At the same days of the visit the 1990 I.F.B.B. „Miss Olympia“ was held in New York. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS met the representatives of the U.S.S.R. at one of Manhattan‘s hotels. That were R.S.F.R.S. athletes VELIKOIVANENKO BORIS (Борис Великоиваненко), FATEJEV GRIGORIJ (Григорий Фатеев), JASINOVSKI NIKOLAJ (Николай Ясиновский), IVANIUK ALEKSANDR (Александр Иванюк), bodybuilder of the Lithuanian Republic GORELIK EUGENE (Евгений Горелик), sportsmen of the Belorussian SSR SKARUB VLADIMIR (Владимир Шкарубо), ALEKSANDROVIC VLADIMIR (Владимир Александрович), BOGDANOVIC VALERIJ (Валерий Богданович), GRISANOV NIKOLAJ (Николай Гришанов) and bodybuilders of the Estonian SSR UIT INA (Инна Уйт), PAAVO AIN (Айн Пааво).

1990 SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL CONTESTS.

There were comparitivelly many bodybuilding contests in the Socialist countries in 1990. As the end of the USSR and the Socualist system was closer most bodybuilders lived in their dreames and tried to reach the „Western“ competitions. They could do it only being among the National Team of the USSR. As they were not among the national teams that was the reason that most bodybuilders had to participate at the International Contests in the Socialist countries. In 1990 bodybuilders of Klaipeda bodybuilding federation participated at the competitions in Oradea (Romanian SSR), berlin („Berliner Bar“, GDR, German Democratic republic), Marjanke Lazne and Ruzomberok (Czechoslovakian SSR, „Sandow“, „Trener“, „Diana“).

1990. MAGAZINES OF DSC. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS SPREAD THROUGH THE WORLD.

Bodybuilding was popular sport then. Athletes needed methodical knowlidge. Since DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS started his bodybuilding way in 1969 he translated articles from books ang magazines. The books were a seldom happening as the „Iron Wal“ did not alow it. This way the first magazine „Arnold Schwarzenegger Recommends“ („Arnoldas Švarcenegeris rekomenduoja“ «Арнольд Шварценеггер рекомендует») was printed and spread in 2 000 000 issues. Several decades it was the „ABC“ for several generations. This kind of popularity has no other bodybuilding magazine in the World. After „Arnold Schwarzenegger Recommends“ other magazines were printed and successfully distrubuted: „Training Programmes of World‘s Best Bodybuilders“ («Системы упражнений лучших культуристов мира», „Geriausių pasaulio kultūristų pratimų sistemos“),  „Bodybuilder“ («Культурист», „Kultūristas“), „Bodybuilding Stars Recommends“ („Kultūrizmo žvaigždės rekomenduoja“, «Звёзды культуризма рекомендуют») and other magazines. Totaly 37 magazines.

Best and short words abou the magazines of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS were said by a famous Russian bodybuilder VALERIJ LOKTIONOV: „then the only one source of bodybuilding materials were magazines from Klaipeda (Lithuanian SSR) and I did my best to get them. That was really the GOLD TIME OF BODYBUILDING“. All bodybuilders used to copy the sport movement in Baltic countries.

(„Когда-то единственным источником для меня было ,,Советский спорт,, и ,,Спортивная жизнь России,,. А еще тогда все ровнялись на Прибалтику. Тогда это было С.С.С.Р. (Федерация культуризма при Комитете физической культуры и спорта г. Клайпеды, Литовская Республика 1991 г.) и я навыписывал оттуда кучу брошур - , «Современный культуризм,», , «Система упражнений лучших культуристов мира,», ,»Увеличение мышечной массы в культуризме,», , «Звезды культуризма рекомендуют,», ,»Арнольд Шварценнегер рекомендует». Золотое время!“).

More detailed information in various languages on International Page www.wff.lt

The Years of Bodybuilding Prohibition in Klaipeda. The Period Before the Public “Amber Prix” Tournament (Until 1976).

The history of bodybuilding in Klaipeda differed little from developments in other Lithuanian cities or throughout the socialist countries. It was a period when an officially prohibited sport survived solely through the efforts of enthusiasts — in basements, bomb shelters, and illegal clubs. Today, this era is regarded as a unique testimony to its time and an important part of Lithuania’s sports history.

In 1969, Edmundas Daubaras purchased his first barbell and, together with Algis Zivelis, began training at home. Soon, increasing numbers of local young people gathered at the Daubaras family apartment to exercise. As the constant flow of visitors became difficult for the family to accommodate, training sessions were moved first to the basement of an apartment building and later to the railway workers’ pioneer camp in Giruliai. One of the leading authorities of the time became Rimantas Budrys. Although conditions were extremely modest, the athletes remained dedicated.

In 1970, after the withdrawal from active activity of Klaipeda bodybuilding leader Antanas Jonuskutis (1942–2003), the city’s athletes dispersed among various adapted and non-adapted training premises. Nevertheless, the bodybuilding movement did not stop.

A major turning point came in 1971, when Klaipeda Seaport employee Vytautas Daubaras obtained premises for young athletes in a bomb shelter belonging to the port on Sportininku Street. There, the “Gintaras” (“Amber”) club was established, becoming the main bodybuilding center in Klaipeda during the harshest prohibition years. Around one hundred enthusiasts attended the club. Remarkably, the club’s traditions continue to this day — it is now known as “Amber Gym” and remains one of the organizers of the “Amber Prix” competition.

In 1971, in Tallinn, then part of the Estonian SSR, Innar Mardo (1945-2002) launched the tournament that later became a traditional event known as the “Georg Tenno Memorial.” The overall winners of the first competition were Valdas Aliubavičius from Vilnius in the junior division (the 1968 overall junior winner of the “Amber Prize” tournament) and Vladimir Dubinin from Leningrad in the adult division.

A few words about Georg Tenno. An officer in the Soviet Army, he was accused of espionage in 1948 and sentenced to imprisonment in the Gulag system. While incarcerated, he shared a prison cell with the future Nobel Prize laureate Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. During his imprisonment, Georg Tenno attempted to escape five times. In his famous work “The Gulag Archipelago” (“Архипелаг ГУЛАГ”), Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn dedicated a chapter to him titled “The Convicted Escapee” (“Убежденный беглец”).

In 1972, Edmundas Daubaras left to study philology at Vilnius State University but maintained close ties with Klaipeda athletes. He continued to lead the “Gintaras” club through his associates Algimantas Stalnionis and Algimantas Ratas.

After the USSR and other socialist countries officially banned bodybuilding, activities moved underground. In 1973, Edmundas Daubaras organized illegal bodybuilding competitions in the basement of the old city prison, attended by the bravest Klaipeda athletes of the time. In the adult division, Mindaugas Liaugaudas won first place, while the youth category was won by Algimantas Ratas.

That same year, Edmundas Daubaras gathered athletes from illegally operating clubs in Vilnius and organized strength dual competitions. Forty-six athletes from Vilnius, Klaipeda, and Siauliai participated. It was one of the first attempts to preserve a united Lithuanian bodybuilding community despite the prohibitions.

In 1974, the “Amber Prix” tournament was held in the bomb shelter premises of the “Gintaras” club. Athletes from four underground Klaipeda clubs took part. The competition program consisted of three parts: strength exercises, mandatory posing routines, and freestyle performances.

The junior divisions were won by Antanas Kazlauskas, Algimantas Ratas, and Sigitas Kisonas. In the youth divisions, the strongest competitors were Kestutis Virketis and Evaldas Sorius, while the adult categories were won by Sigitas Vilutis and Vytautas Zenkevicius. The absolute winners of their respective age groups were Antanas Kazlauskas, Evaldas Sorius, and Vytautas Zenkevicius.

After a two-year break, Estonian organizer Inar Mardo (Innar Mardo, 1945–2002) managed to revive the “Georg Tenno Memorial” competition in 1974. He succeeded in convincing Estonian political authorities that bodybuilding was a national Estonian sport with deep traditions. The competition took place at the Tallinn Technical School. Athletes from the “Vilnius School of Bodybuilding” won all first places except in the tallest height category, where Estonian Olev Annus defeated the favored RSFSR representative Vladimir Dubinin. The overall champion became Pranas Murauskas.

In 1975, the “Amber Prize” tournament was already being held in one of Klaipėda’s secondary schools. In addition to local athletes, competitors from Telšiai and Vilnius participated. The junior groups were won by Leonidas Rodionovas, Rimas Apulskis, and Antanas Dobrodzejus. In the youth categories, first places were claimed by Antanas Bašermanas, Algimantas Ruplys, and Aimontas Dolgichas. In the adult groups, the winners were Vytautas Zenkevičius, Olegas Serovas, and Rišardas Krinickis. The absolute winners were Rimas Apulskis, Algimantas Ruplys, and Rišardas Krinickis.

Despite prohibitions, constant surveillance, and poor training conditions, bodybuilding in Klaipeda not only survived but continued to grow stronger. During this period, the foundations were laid for a tradition that would later become one of most famous international bodybuilding events — the “Amber Prix” competition.

In 1975, during a university student exchange program, Edmundas Daubaras spent two months in Prague (Czechoslovak Socialist Republic). There he met Vojtech Fiala, president of the Czechoslovak Bodybuilding Federation. Vojtech Fiala was delighted to meet a representative of Soviet bodybuilding after a ten-year break. Seeking to demonstrate good relations with the USSR, he introduced Edmundas Daubaras to officials of the Czechoslovak Ministry of Sports (ČSTV – Československý svaz tělesné výchovy).

Edmundas Daubaras was surprised that, during the years when bodybuilding was banned in the USSR, Czechoslovak bodybuilders enjoyed official government support. In 1975, they participated for the first time in the IFBB European Championship held in the West. At that championship, Czech athlete Petr Stach not only won his category but also became the overall European champion.

At the initiative of Vojtech Fiala, Edmundas Daubaras visited the town of Rodotín, where the renowned athlete Petr Stach lived. The European champion welcomed the distinguished guest by holding an exhibition training session, during which he demonstrated his excellent physical condition and impressive musculature.

Among the participants of the “Amber Prix” tournaments were individuals who later became prominent Lithuanian public officials. Risardas Krinickis, who served for many years as one of the leaders of the State Control Committee under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, made a significant contribution to organizing numerous international “Amber Prix” tournaments between 1995 and 2008. For his merits to the international bodybuilding movement, he was awarded the “International Honor Gold Medal” of the World WFF-WBBF Federation in 2008.

Another participant was Kestutis Virketis, long-time Director of the Legal Department of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania. He also made an important contribution to organizing the 40th anniversary “Amber Prix” tournament. In 2024, he too was awarded the “International Honor Gold Medal” of the World WFF-WBBF Federation for his contribution to the international bodybuilding movement.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt

GET TO KNOW RESPECTFUL INTERNATIONAL SPORT PERSONS. “AMBER PRIX” HISTORICAL INSPIRERS, SUPPORTERS AND PATRONS.

Throughout six decades of the history of the “Amber Prix” tournament, this prestigious event has been supported by prominent politicians, sports organizers, bodybuilding pioneers, patrons, and public figures from many countries around the world. Their contribution significantly influenced the development of Lithuanian bodybuilding and the strengthening of the international WFF-WBBF movement.

Professor Alfred Gerstl

Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Austria. From 2006 to 2009, he served as patron of the WFF-WBBF World Championships. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the “Amber Prix,” he presented for the people of Klaipeda a collection of original photographs of Arnold Schwarzenegger from that period, as well as a documentary film about the legendary athlete and actor. The photographs and the film were showcased in Klaipeda during the competition. In 2009, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Robert Fico

Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic. From 2011 to 2012, he acted as patron of the WFF-WBBF World Championships. In 2012, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Jerzy Gotowski

Patron and organizer of the 2008 World Championship, laureate of the Order of Saint Stanislaw. In 2009, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Štefan Hrčka

Patron and organizer of the World Championships from 2010 to 2014. In 2011, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Alexander Nevsky

Patron, Hollywood actor and film director, three-time absolute WFF-WBBF “Universe” champion. In 2011 awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Bob Hoffman

Robert Collins Hoffman (1898–1985) was one of the founders of official world bodybuilding. Through his efforts, from 1947 to 1969 world bodybuilding was supervised by the International Weightlifting Federation, a member organization of the International Olympic Committee. Known as the “Father of World Weightlifting,” he created a true “muscle empire” and trained numerous Olympic champions.

Oscar State

Oscar State (1911–1984) served as Secretary General of the International Weightlifting Federation F.I.H.C. (now I.W.F.) from 1960 to 1974. In 1970, he contributed to the establishment of the international IFBB federation and helped it gain membership in the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).

Oscar Heidenstam

Oscar Heidenstam (1911–1991), long-time president of the NABBA Association, opened the way in 1991 for Lithuanian bodybuilders to become members of the international organization. He also influenced NABBA to become one of the first international sports organizations to recognize Lithuania’s independence and the National Olympic Committee of Lithuania.

Ben Weider

Benjamin Weider (1923–2008) was one of the founders of the IFBB commercial company (1946) and the IFBB sport organization (1970). From 1970, he served as President of the International IFBB Federation and strongly influenced the development of bodybuilding in socialist countries.

Brone Dubar

Brone “Brownie” Dubar (Daubaraite, 1906–1986) was a Lithuanian-American athlete, gymnast, and one of the most prominent early pioneers of physical culture and fitness. She is widely regarded as the world’s first female fitness athlete. After emigrating from Lithuania to the United States in 1912, Brone Dubar soon became internationally known for her exceptional acrobatic and gymnastic performances. She toured extensively, demonstrating her athletic abilities in many countries and participating in numerous sports events. Her performances and promotion of an active lifestyle were far ahead of their time and became an inspiration for future generations of athletes. An important part of Brone Dubar’s legacy is also connected to the development of bodybuilding in Lithuania. During the years when bodybuilding was banned or strictly restricted in socialist countries, she supported the international bodybuilding contest “Amber Prix,” maintained contact with its organizers, and sent American sports literature and training materials. In this way, she contributed to the spread of modern physical culture and fitness ideas in Lithuania. Today, Brone “Brownie” Dubar is remembered as a pioneer of sport and fitness whose achievements helped pave the way for women in fitness and left a lasting mark on international sports history.

Georg Tenno

(1911–1967) was one of the pioneers of bodybuilding in the Soviet Union. An officer of the Soviet Army, he was accused of espionage in 1948 and sentenced to imprisonment in labor camps. He shared a prison cell with future Nobel Prize laureate Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. During his imprisonment, Georg Tenno attempted escape five times. In his work The Gulag Archipelago, Solzhenitsyn dedicated the chapter “The Convicted Escapist” to him. In 1968, Georg Tenno’s book Athleticism was published.

Vojtech Fiala

Vojtech Fiala was the president of the National Federation of Bodybuilding of the Czechoslovak SSR. Through his personal connections, in 1975 he managed to secure government approval for athletes to travel to the West and compete in the IFBB European Championships. That year, Petr Stach won the overall European championship title. This victory became a significant achievement for socialist bodybuilding, which at the time was subjected to political pressure and persecution by the authorities. For many years afterward, Czechoslovak bodybuilders continued to compete in the West, while athletes from other socialist countries could hardly even dream of such an opportunity. In 1979, Vojtech Fiala initiated friendly competitions between Soviet and Czechoslovak bodybuilders: the Czechoslovaks were invited to compete in the “Amber Prix” Tournament, while Soviet athletes took part in the Czechoslovak National Championships.

Inar Mardo

1945-2002). Founder and organizer of the international “Georg Tenno Memorial” tournaments since 1970. One of the most respected leaders of Estonian bodybuilding, he consistently supported the organizers of the “Amber Prize” tournament.

Martin Kuta

Patron and organizer of the WFF Professional Fitness World Championships at Prague’s Žofín Palace from 2006 to 2009. In 2008, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Rišardas Krinickis

(1949-2015). One of the leaders of the State Control Committee of the Republic of Lithuania. From 1996 to 2006, he made a significant contribution to organizing international WFF-WBBF events in Lithuania. Two-time absolute champion of the “Amber Prize” tournament. Awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Kęstutis Virketis

Long-time Director of the Legal Department of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania. Participant and category winner of the 1974 “Amber Prize” tournament. In 2024, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Česlav Tamulevic

(1945-2023). Founder and coach of the unique “Vilnius Bodybuilding School,” which prepared athletes for the “Amber Prize” tournament. In 2020, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Vitalij Asovskij

(1952-2026). Poet and playwright. After the illness of Česlavas Tamulevičius, he took over the leadership of the “Vilnius Bodybuilding School.” In 2020, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation at the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania.

Valerij Koreskov

Journalist and photographer, one of the pioneers of bodybuilding in the Soviet Union. Awarded the international John Grimek Prize and a UNESCO honorary certificate. In 2018, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation at the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania.

Professor Vasiliy Bespalenko

Professor at four universities, multiple WFF-WBBF World and European champion. In 2023, he became the absolute champion of the “Amber Prize” tournament. In 2022, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt