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.

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WORLD BODYBUILDING ENCYCLOPEDIA.

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

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

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

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

BOB HOFFMAN BROUGHT BODYBUILDING TO LONDON.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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2025 NEWS INTERNATIONAL.

MAYOR CITY KLAIPEDA MR. ARVYDAS VAITKUS.

OFFICIAL MEETING.

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

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

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2025.SPORT NEWS INTERNATIONAL.

FAMOUS BODYBUILDERS VISITED INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT.

Some time ago famous World Class bodybuilders visited International W.F.F. - W.B.B.F.  (World Fitness Federation, World Bodybuilding Federation) President DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. That were NATALIJA MURNIKOVIENE and SVETLANA PUGACHEVA.

Having good time the participants of the meeting remembered old good times and spoke over future plans.

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60 YEARS OF LITHUANIA BODYBUILDING.

SHORT HISTORY.

On May 17, 2025 in City Gargzdai 60 years of Lithuania bodybuilding (1965-2025) were celebrated. Gargzdai organizers led by Viktoras Kura did tremendous job. That was a real bodybuilding fiesta. Respectful Guests and sport Personalities came to the Event.

Respectful Guests and Participants: Member Parliament Republic Lithuania Alvydas Mockus, President International W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Bodybuilding Federation) Federation DSc. Edmundas Daubaras, Candidate to the Parliament Republic Lithuania Klaipeda Polititian Gintaras Martinkenas, Participant of “Amber Prix International” (1968 - 2025) Gargzdai Event Organizer Viktoras Kura, 2020 U.N.E.S.C.O. Award Holder and President Lithuania Fitness Sport Federation Darius Daubaras, W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. International Silver Honour Medal Holder World Pro Bodybuilding Legend Natalia Murnikoviene, W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. International Silver Honour Medal Holder Vidmantas Malakauskas, W.F.F - W.B.B.F. International Official Alina Pelepko, President Lithuania Bodybuilding Federation Modestas Puise, Chairman Lithuania Bodybuilding Academy Remigijus Bimba, 2024 Over All W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Pro “Universe” Champion President Latvia Bodybuilding Federation Maris Sveiduks, Lithuania Bodybuilding Statist Arunas Petraitis, Lithuania Bodybuilding Legends U.S.S.R. Champion Saulius Misevicius, U.S.S.R. Champion Raimundas Petraitis, U.S.S.R. Champion Ricardas Petrauskas, Tautvilas Rinkevicius, Aleksas Stankus, Igor Karpec, Vidmantas Lukys, Romas Mile and Famous Contemporary Bodybuilders Over All W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Amateur Europe Champion Martynas Pakalnis, Arvydas Mickus, Rokas Razanauskas, Over All W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. World Champion Vaida Budriene, 2023 W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Pro Europe Champion Raimundas Urbanavicius.

More Information is on International Site www.wff.lt