BODYBUILDING CIRCUS AROUND THE WORLD.

LOTS OF MICKEY-MOUSE FEDERATIONS.

WE SPEAK WITH ATHLETES.

Forty years ago we were explaining athletes about official sport and about the BASIC questions of various federations. This is ABC of every athlete. Do not be dreamers and learn real matters. As we see many do not like the truth. Sportsmen waist their time, energy, money. They are glad about their “great” achievements at competitions. But - this result for official sport is ZERO. Find yourselves who is guilty  - maybe your leaders, maybe trainers, maybe somebody else.

STEP ONE. INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION.

We do not want to offend anybody. All of today working forty International bodybuilding federations play zero role in official recognized sport. That are “mickey - mouse” federations. Just ZERO. Official International Sport organizations do not recognize a single one of them. Let us speak about some of those “federations”. What do You know about Your federation? Since 1990 we came inside of many International Bodybuilding Organizations. Step by step we learned about their zero value in sport. Athletes were cheated and still are cheated.

I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders)

Due to efforts of American BOB HOFFMAN (Robert Collins Hoffman, 1898 – 1985) since 1947 until 1969 World’s official bodybuilding sport was ruled by a member of the International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.) International F.I.H.C. (Fédération Internationale Haltérophile et Culturiste) federation.

In 1970 general secretary of F.I.H.C. British OSCAR STATE (Oscar State, Obe, 1911-1984) during Belgrade (Yugoslavia) Congress created the I.F.B.B. sport federation. Until that time I.F.B.B. was a private company and played zero role in official sport. Again due to the efforts of OSCAR STATE in 1971 I.F.B.B. became a member of G.A.I.S.F. (Global Association of International Sports Federations) and ruled World’s official bodybuilding sport until 1998.

In 1998 after two years trial I.F.B.B. was thrown out of the I.O.C.. Since that time bodybuilding is no more sport. Only former Communist Countries and several Asia Countries still recognize and finance National I.F.B.B. federations. Full article about the I.F.B.B. You can find on International Site www.wff.lt

N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association).

After long correspondence with N.A.B.B.A. Chairman OSCAR HEIDENSTAM we were working with N.A.B.B.A. since 1991 until 2005. After some time N.A.B.B.A. Chairman IVAN DUNBAR informed us that N.A.B.B.A. is not an association of federation - it is by law a public club. How officially registered in Lithuania Republic sport federation can be a member of a public club? Sounds childish… After death of OSCAR HEIDENSTAM in 1991 until now N.A.B.B.A. had no another leader like him. Full article about N.A.B.B.A. is already published on International Site www.wff.lt

W.F.F. (World Fitness Federation).

In 1995 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS, German KLAUS HOFFMANN (Klaus P.J.Hoffmann), Austrian PETER PAPULA, Greek ANARGIROS TSOPOURIDIS came to Germany where they established World Fitness Federation (W.F.F. - International). Power zones were set up - KLAUS HOFFMANN took the leadership on the “Western” countries and DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS went on leading “East” countries. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  brought former socialist countries in the game. Supported by the Government Republic Lithuania in 1996, 1997, 1998 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS organized European Championships in Klaipeda, Vilnius and Palanga. At that time there was no official registration of the W.F.F. federation - somehow KLAUS HOFFMANN was against it. The situation did not satisfy us. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was closely working with the Ministry of Sport of the Lithuanian Republic. According the law we needed official registration. Virtual W.F.F. was nothing. Then in 1998 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS registered official W.F.F. federation and organized the 1998 W.F.F. World Championship in Palanga (Lithuanian Republic). The championship was supported and financed by the Government Republic Lithuania. It was televised by “Eurosport” television. Step by step KLAUS HOFFMANN left the W.F.F. federation. In 2003 he told he can not organize International contests any more. Uniting both parts of the federation the full power of W.F.F. went to DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. Exceptional prestige of W.F.F. rose up after tremendous 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 W.F.F. World Championships which were held in Vilnius and Klaipeda (Lithuanian Republic). For example - at 2005 W.F.F. World Championship in Vilnius participated 742 athletes from 42 countries. Lithuania Parliament voted to finance 2008 W.F.F. Event in Klaipeda through the separate line in the Budget of the Republic Lithuania. All above mentioned championships were supported and financed by the Government Republic Lithuania. Seeing great growth of the W.F.F. federation KLAUS HOFFMANN stopped connection with the federation and in 2005 registered his own W.F.F. federation in Germany. This federation was closed in 2013.

GAMES OF GRAEME LANCEFIELD.

Several years ago appeared Australian GRAEME LANCEFIELD who was unknown to the International Sport Society. GRAEME LANCEFIELD used the name of W.F.F., our W.F.F. history (working since 1968, “Amber Prix International”, etc.). When we wrote that we will address the International Court, then GRAEME LANCEFIELD stopped using traditional W.F.F. history. But he uses W.F.F. name anyway. Still it is not clear if W.F.F. of GRAEME LANCEFIELD egzists by law or it is only his private games. Anyway there are many not educated athletes who do not know our sport history and who do not know anything about W.F.F. federation. This way GRAEME LANCEFIELD can play his games. Detailed articles about W.F.F. federation will be published in the third part of the “World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia” soon. Look for the information on International Site www.wff.lt .

N.A.C. (National Athletic Committee)

When in 2000 KLAUS HOFFMANN stopped working properly with W.F.F. federation in Germany, several people left German W.F.F. an then appeared N.A.C.. N.A..C. is National German organization. No official International or National Institutions recognize and support N.A.C.. N.A.C. has nothing to do with official sport. Working more that twenty years N.A.C. did nothing noticeable for our sport. All N.A..C. events were made in Europe only. Outside Europe nobody even heard of N.A..C.. Maybe somebody can say what are aims of N.A.C.??? In 2005 in Italy Chairmen N.A.C. addressed President W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. International (World Fitness Federation, World Bodybuilding Federation) DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. They wanted to cooperate activities. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS refused - there was no future and no sense in that.

N.P.C. (National Physique Committee)

For many decades amateur bodybuilding in USA was ruled by A.A.U. (Amateur Ayhletic Union). Established in 1888 A.A.U. was a member of the International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.). In the USA even a member of G.A.I.S.F. (Global Association of International Sports Federations) I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders), federation could not fight against N.P.C.. Remember, in 1970 F.I.H.C. (Fédération Internationale Haltérophile et Culturiste)  General Secretary OSCAR STATE in Belgrade (Yugoslavia) created the I.F.B.B. sport federation. Until that time I.F.B.B. was a private company. Finally after discussion with I.F.B.B. President BEN WEIDER a member of A.A.U. JIM MANION left A.A.U. and established N.P.C. in 1983. This way N.P.C. escaped of doping control too. JIM MANION agreed with WEIDER brothers JOE and BEN this way - all World Amateur bodybuilding was ruled by I.F.B.B. of BEN WEIDER and Amateur bodybuilding in USA was ruled by N.P.C. of JIM MANION. At the same time N.P.C. was representing I.F.B.B. in USA. Professional bodybuilding was under JOE WEIDER. N.P.C. had been never recognized by any Official International Sport Organization. In 2015 after death of WEIDER brothers previous agreement had no more power and N.P.C. left the I.F.B.B. of Spanish RAFAEL SANTONJA. RAFAEL SANTONJA was thrown out of America and never appeared there any more. Fighting for money at the moment N.P.C. with it’s contests goes aggressively around the World pushing I.F.B.B. of RAFAEL SANTONJA out of the game.

W.A.B.B.A. (World Amateur Body Building Association).

Several years athletes of Lithuanian Republic participated at W.A.B.B.A. competitions. Lithuanians never organized a single W.A.B.B.A.  contest in the country. Collecting 2-3 athletes of other National federations W.A.B.B.A.  organizers used to go abroad to compete. In general there were no results in this activities.

W.A.B.B.A.  appeared in 1976 after in 1975 I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) President BEN WEIDER because of sexual affairs threw away from his federation his Vice President and famous France bodybuilder SERGE NUBRET. Having no knowledge about International Sport requirements SERGE NUBRET registered only name and logo of W.A.B.B.A.. Nothing was serious and official. Our last information of W.A.B.B.A. is that it belongs to a protein shop of French FABIAN DE BECK. In fact in 1975 it was the first time I.F.B.B. was split and divided. SERGE NUBRET took out of I.F.B.B. a number of National Presidents and Athletes from Asia and Africa countries.

OTHER FEDERATIONS

Looking through 100 years history of bodybuilding we can make some conclusions.

During the last century several decades World was divided into Capitalist (Western) and Socialist (Eastern) parts. Both parts were separated by the “Iron Wall” and did not communicate in between anyway. Bodybuilders of both parts did not communicate too. Also have in mind that bodybuilding was prohibited in the Socialist World since 1973 until 1987.

When Socialist World was ruined in 1995 was created World Fitness Federation (W.F.F. - International) which took the leadership of bodybuilding in some Europe and former Socialist countries. Later International fitness and bodybuilding were separated and since that time fitness was ruled by W.F.F. - International and bodybuilding was ruled by the World Body Building Federation (W.B.B.F. - International).

During the last thirty years appeared about forty “International” bodybuilding federations led by ill minded people. For every clever bodybuilder is evident - if one is not afraid of doping control - there is with it’s law and finance problems in 1970 in Belgrade (Yugoslavia) by F.I.H.C.  (Fédération Internationale Haltérophile et Culturiste) General Secretary OSCAR STATE created International Federation of Body Builders (I.F.B.B.); when one do not want doping control - there is old traditional National Amateur Body Building Association (N.A.B.B.A.). Everything is clear as daylight - the three above mentioned organizations rule International bodybuilding and fitness. Why other bodybuilding federations needed? What are their aims? Seems like childrens game... These federations have never been recognized by any Governmental or International Sport Structure. Their work is of zero value. First we met this nonsense forty years ago when two bodybuilders of Estonian SSR went to Italy to participate at “Europe” Championship. After coming back they kept silence. The reason was - there were only several participants from two countries - Italy and Estonia. The organizer was a private person representing no federation. In 2000 - 2005 Lithuanian bodybuilders were participating at the contests of the International federation of homosexual bodybuilders (today bodybuilders of Republic Poland are active in this field). Ok, anyway we can understand organization like this. From time to time we hear about another misunderstanding - the International Federation of “natural bodybuilders”. Natural bodybuilders are like alcoholics without alcohol... Every day primitive bodybuilders are fooled and cheated.

Since 1999 Italians started to participate at International W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. contests. They organized Italian contest for many years and now they wanted to organize official International contests in Italy. We told them how to create official federation. Now they have logo, they have name and still there is no federation. Organizers of this Italian group used to fight in between. So this way for several years another “International” federation appeared in France. After another Italian fight ten years ago one more “International” federation appeared in Slovenia.

Bodybuilders have problems with brains?

Today many idiotic categories appeared at bodybuilding contests - like bikini, wellness... Whom you are fooling? It is women bodybuilding and be smart - it is bad women bodybuilding. You want to say it is fitness? No - fitness is without doping. All activities with doping is bodybuilding. Do not lie for yourself and for other people. Let these “bikinies” and “welness” bodybuilders participate together with a real bodybuilder... Nonsense - they are weak athletes and they have no chances to participate at normal bodybuilding contests successfully. This is the reason that “bikinies” appeared. With men’s bodybuilding situation is the same. For example - lazy bodybuilders do not train legs. For them we have “Men’s Physique” category. Participants are representing bodybuilding and in fact they are bad bodybuilders. No legs, no calves... In normal bodybuilding fight they have no chances... So what is the value of their wins? Nothing... Weak bodybuilders participate at contests of “mickey - mouse” federations and in “mickey - mouse” categories and they become champions. What is the value of their titles? Nothing... Is anybody really proud of this?

The article will be continued. Full information is on International site www.wff.lt

WHO BROKE BODYBUILDING IN ESTONIA?

BEHAVIOUR AROUND INNAR MARDO.

In 1980 bodybuilding still was prohibited in the U.S.S.R. and Socialist Countries. When in 1978 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS wrote the petition to defend prohibited bodybuilding, he personally brought it to Moscow and presented to the highest U.S.S.R. political powers. The achieved victory let to start public competitions in Klaipeda (Lithusnian SSR). Until this time contests were illegal and were done illegally without public. The first official public bodybuilding contest was the 1978 „Amber Prix International“ („Gintarinis prizas“,  «Янтарный приз», 1968 – 2025) which was organized by DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. Since 1978 the „Amber Prix International“ got the status of the „Unofficial U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Championship“ («Неофициальный чемпионат С.С.С.Р. по культуризму»).

OVERTHROW INNAR MARDO.

In 1980 the traditional „Georg Tenno Memorial“ («Мемориал Георга Тенно», 1971 - 2024) was not organized in the Estonian SSR. When in 1979 INNAR MARDO (Иннар Мардо, 1946 – 2002) and the best U.S.S.R. bodybuilder of that time Estonian OLEV ANNUS returned from competition in Czechoslovakian SSR they guarreled in between. Influenced by Lithuanian ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS OLEV ANNUS started acting. ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS always envied INNAR MARDO his sport success. Letters of INNAR MARDO to DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS say that OLEV ANNUS wrote bad letters about INNAR MARDO to political powers of the Estonian SSR. Due to this INNAR MARDO lost his gym and his position of the President of the National Bodybuilding Federation of the Estonian SSR. Also the Communist powers of the Estonian SSR prohibited 1980 „Georg Tenno Momorial“.

The leadership of bodybuilding in the Estonian SSR took OLEV ANNUS and brothers ARRO. INNAR AMARDO as well as DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS did not stop bodybuilding activities due to the conflicts. Both went on working on their own.

In 1980 separatly from the National Bodybuilding Federation of the Estonian SSR INNAR MARDO and INDREK OTSUS went to „Trener“ contest in the Czechoslovakian SSR. INDREK OTSUS won against the 1975 Over All I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) Europe Champion PETER STACH again and received the title of the Over All Winner.

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

WORLD BODYBUILDING ENCYCLOPEDIA.

AFRICA BODYBUILDING REVUE.

Africa is a big Continent. It seems so fare away  and people do not know much about it. W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation) international started communicating with Africa bodybuilders in 1984. Then African bodybuilders used to visit Klaipeda (Lithuanian SSR) sea port. They spent much time discussing bodybuilding with DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. We got acquainted with Presidents of many African National Bodybuilding Federations when in 1989 in Paris (France) President I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) BEN WEIDER presented them to DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. During the last thirty years members of the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International became bodybuilding organizations of the folowing Africa countries:

Zambia (president Danny Mkandawire),

Cameroon (president Serge Thuinte),

Zimbabwe (president Munya Maraire),

Angola (president Aristofanes Cauto Cabal),

Equatorial Guinea (president Ichinio Ondo Nkogo Avomo),

Uganda (president Ivan Byekwaso),

Nigeria (president Dr. Rawlings Makaulay),

Algeria (president Tizi Ouzou),

Mozambique (president Leonor Hilario Greffel),

Botswana (president Sam Chimbombi),

Kingdom of Morocco (president El Hadi Zakara),

Central African Republic (president Miguel Kalyango),

Republic South Africa (president Jannie Kruger).

Now we are negotiating with representatives of Egypt and Namibia of participation at the International W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. events.

AFRICA BODYBUILDERS AT W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. CONTESTS.

First Africa bodybuilders came to W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. competitions in 2008 to Poland and Lithuania. That were athletes of Algeria and Mozambique. Started in 2008 Mozambique athlete LEONOR HILARIO GREFFEL won many Amateur and Professional titles. Now she lives in Denmark.

We were surprized when after long discussions we hosted team of the Republic of South Africa (R.S.A.) concisting of 92 athletes. That was 2009 W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. World Championship in Tallinn (Estonia). National President of W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. R.S.A. was TOMMY DU RAND. Among women categories was leading W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Pro R.S.A. athlete PHILIPPA LAMONT WILKIE.

In 2010 representing R.S.A. were top athletes  HEINRICH VOSS and TRACEY GOTTCHALK. Both took high places at the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Pro World Championship in Brusno Kupele (Slovakia). They fighted for 30 000 US dollars cash prizes.

In 2011 among multiple R.S.A. team at the World AM-Pro Championships in Austria and Slovakia were top International athletes SHAEMEN ADAMS, SUZANNA LEMMER and ELIZABETH VAN DEN MERVE. Again they fighted for 30 000 US dollars cash prizes.

In 2011 and 2012 at the „World Grand Prix“ competitions W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. hosted top Nigeria bodybuilders JAMES SYLVESTER ONO and KING IZOGIE. Both of them now live in Europe.

In 2013 R.S.A. was represented by huge bodybuilder JOHN LESLIE. He won W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Pro Worlds in 2013 and 2015 (Slovakia and Lithuania).

In 2016 R.S.A. was represented by another huge athlete JANNIE COETZEE. He also became W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Pro World Champion then.

CLUMSY SITUATION.

2019 pandemia and 2022 war in Ukraine stopped a number big International projects of the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F.. Due to the politics of the European Union for a number of years we can not host teams at W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International contests from Egypt (gymnastics) and Nigeria. We see only one way out now – they can compete at our regular competitions in Paraguay, Brazil, Russia, Pakistan, India and Thailand.

You can find more information on International Site www.wff.lt

THE 2008 WFF-WBBF “UNIVERSE” IN VILNIUS.

The History of a Tournament and an Era in International Fitness.

On November 22, 2008, Vilnius hosted the WFF-WBBF “Miss & Mister Universe” international tournament. Today, this event should be regarded not simply as another competition on the federation’s calendar, but as a historical document of its time — evidence of what international fitness and bodybuilding looked like at the end of the first decade of the 21st century.

To understand the significance of the 2008 tournament, it is not enough to list its winners and medalists. Behind the results lies an entire era: the expansion of international sport, the development of new competitive categories, the growth of masters’ and junior competitions, the evolution of fitness beyond traditional bodybuilding, and the formation of international connections between sporting organisations from different countries.

It is precisely in this broader context that the Vilnius “Universe” acquires its historical significance.

2008 — Sport on the Threshold of a New Era

The year 2008 represented something of a boundary between two eras.

On the one hand, international bodybuilding already had a long-established history, strong traditions, recognised names and well-developed schools.

On the other hand, fitness was changing rapidly.

Aesthetic physique, physical conditioning, athleticism, stage presentation and different forms of fitness were becoming increasingly important on the international scene.

This is why the structure of competitions at the end of the 2000s is particularly interesting from a historical perspective.

It reveals the transition from the concept of bodybuilding as a relatively narrow sporting discipline towards a broader understanding of fitness and physical culture as an entire system of competitive disciplines.

The WFF-WBBF model reflected this development.

The 2008 “Universe” was a characteristic example of this era.

Vilnius in the International WFF-WBBF System

The decision to hold the “Universe” in Vilnius was not accidental.

By that time, Lithuania had already become one of the important centres of WFF-WBBF international activity. International championships and tournaments were being held in Klaipėda, Trakai, Panevėžys and other Lithuanian cities.

A particularly important event was the traditional international “Amber Prix International” (“Gintarinis prizas”) tournament in Klaipėda.

The 40th anniversary edition received state support. This significantly expanded the possibilities for organising the event: inviting foreign teams and delegations, providing television and media coverage, and producing multilingual promotional and video materials.

As a result, a broader international sporting environment was developing — one in which Lithuania became a regular meeting place for athletes, coaches, judges, organisers and sports representatives from different countries.

The Vilnius “Universe” should therefore be viewed as part of this wider system.

The International Map Preserved by the Tournament

The results protocol itself is of particular historical value.

It includes representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Slovakia, Denmark, Venezuela, Uruguay, Argentina, Mexico, Belarus, Poland, Bulgaria, Greece, Finland, Estonia, Germany, England, the Czech Republic, Brazil, Serbia, France and other countries.

This was no longer a local sporting meeting.

It was an international map of fitness at the end of the 2000s.

Its foundation consisted largely of countries from Eastern and Central Europe, but alongside them were representatives of Western Europe and South America.

The geographical diversity is important in itself.

Russia and Ukraine.

Latvia and Belarus.

Poland and the Czech Republic.

Germany and England.

Uruguay, Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico and Brazil.

Different sporting traditions, training schools and concepts of the ideal physique met on one stage.

This geography is what makes the protocol historically significant.

Eastern Europe as One of the Centres of Development

A close examination of the results reveals the strong presence of Eastern Europe.

Russian and Ukrainian athletes appear in numerous categories and regularly feature among the medalists.

This was not accidental.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, strong traditions of physical culture, strength sports and athletic training continued to develop in the countries of the region. However, these traditions were now evolving within new national and international circumstances.

International federations became platforms where athletes from the former Soviet republics could meet competitors from Western Europe and other regions.

In this sense, international competitions of the late 1990s and 2000s became a kind of bridge between different sporting traditions of the post-Soviet and Western worlds.

The Vilnius “Universe” is one of the historical episodes that illustrates this process.

But “Universe” Was No Longer Exclusively European

At the same time, the results demonstrate that the international WFF-WBBF system was not confined to Europe.

The presence of athletes from Uruguay, Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico and Brazil shows that the federation's international reach already extended significantly into South America.

These athletes were not merely symbolic participants.

They competed for medals.

And the highest women's title of the tournament went to Uruguay.

Alexandra Ximena Aguiar Fernandez became the overall women's winner.

The overall men's title went to England's Dayo Audi.

The official WFF-WBBF historical records identify these two athletes as the overall winners of the 2008 “Universe”.

Thus, the symbolic summit of the tournament was divided between two countries — Uruguay and England.

This is a highly revealing result.

Dayo Audi — A Victory at the End of a Major Competitive Career

The story of the men's overall winner adds another historical dimension to the event.

Dayo Audi later indicated that his final bodybuilding competition took place in Vilnius in November 2008, where he won the Mr. Universe title. By that point, he had already achieved British, European and world NABBA titles, as well as an IFBB professional title. The “Universe” title was the remaining major achievement he wanted to obtain before ending his competitive career.

For this athlete, therefore, the Vilnius tournament had a special personal significance.

The 2008 “Universe” was not only the culmination of his competitive career, but also its final chapter.

From a historical perspective, this transforms a simple line in a results sheet — “1st place” — into something much more meaningful.

The Uruguayan Women's Victory — Another Symbol of the Era

The story of the overall women's winner is equally revealing.

Alexandra Ximena Aguiar Fernandez's victory meant that the women's international summit belonged to an athlete from South America.

This is important because the geography of international fitness was no longer one-dimensional.

By 2008, it was no longer possible to speak of a single centre determining the development of the sport.

Different regional schools were emerging and competing.

European.

Eastern European.

South American.

International competitions allowed these schools to compare their achievements directly on the same stage.

The Revolution of Competitive Categories

The structure of the tournament itself is another important historical document.

The programme included:

Model Fitness, Fitness, Performance, Athletic, Super Athletic, Classic and Extreme.

There were also separate competitions for juniors, masters and disabled athletes.

To a modern observer, such differentiation may appear normal. Historically, however, it reflects a fundamental change in the concept of physical culture.

An athlete no longer had to fit a single universal model.

There were different forms of physical development.

Some athletes represented the aesthetics of Model Fitness.

Others represented Performance.

Others Athletic.

Others Super Athletic or Extreme.

Thus, the competitive system itself recognised the diversity of the athletic physique.

This was one of the defining characteristics of the era.

From Juniors to Athletes Over 60

The age range represented at the tournament is equally remarkable.

At one international event, athletes under 21 competed alongside athletes over 60.

Between them were the Over 40 and Over 50 categories.

This was more than simply a classification system.

It represented a model of sport as a lifelong activity.

A junior could enter the competitive system at a young age.

An adult athlete could continue competing.

After the age of 40, dedicated competitive categories were available.

After 50, there were new opportunities.

And even after 60, an athlete could step onto an international stage.

Historically, this conveyed an important message:

physical culture was no longer perceived exclusively as an activity for the young.

Disabled Athletes — An Important Part of the Picture

The programme also included a separate Disabled Sportsmen category.

The winner was France's Michael Louvel.

The existence of this category is historically significant in its own right.

The international tournament demonstrated that the sporting stage could belong not only to athletes representing an idealised physical model.

It could also provide space for people with different physical abilities.

Within the history of fitness, this reflects the gradual expansion of the very concept of participation in sport.

“Universe” as a Social Model of Sport

The 2008 results protocol should therefore be read as more than a list of placements.

It is effectively a social map of sport.

Within it we find:

youth and maturity; men and women; professional and amateur competition; aesthetic fitness and athletic development; classic and extreme categories; athletes without disabilities and athletes with disabilities; Europe and South America.

All of these elements were brought together within one international competition.

This is one of the defining historical characteristics of the “Universe”.

2008 as the Peak of a Particular Period

The year 2008 becomes even more interesting when viewed in a broader historical sequence.

Official WFF-WBBF statistics show that overall “Universe” winners in different years came from a wide range of countries, including Russia, Latvia, Finland, Argentina, Uruguay, France, South Africa, England and others.

In 2008, the women's overall title went to Uruguay and the men's title to England.

This allows us to draw a broader conclusion.

The “Universe” was not a competition dominated by one national school.

It was an international system in which the geography of champions continually changed.

That is why the historical value of the tournament lies not only in its individual results, but in the broader process it represents.

Vilnius as a Meeting Point of Sporting Traditions

In 2008, Vilnius stood at the intersection of several major developments.

On one side was the strong tradition of Eastern European strength and physical culture.

On another was the growing international importance of fitness.

There was also the expanding participation of Western European athletes.

At the same time, South American competitors were increasingly visible on the international stage.

And finally, the concept of participation was becoming broader, encompassing juniors, masters and athletes with disabilities.

For this reason, the significance of Vilnius cannot be reduced simply to the fact that the tournament took place there.

For a particular moment in history, the city became a meeting point for different currents within the international sporting movement.

History Cannot Be Read Through Medals Alone

If we remove all the names from the 2008 protocol and leave only its structure, we still see an extraordinarily important historical picture.

We see dozens of countries.

We see several continents.

We see numerous categories.

We see different generations.

We see fitness developing beyond traditional bodybuilding.

We see an attempt to create an international system in which different forms of physical culture could exist side by side.

This is the tournament's most important historical legacy.

A medal is the result of one day.

A protocol is a document of an era.

Historical Conclusion

The 2008 WFF-WBBF “Universe” in Vilnius was not simply an international tournament. It was a reflection of a transitional period in the history of international fitness and bodybuilding.

It was a time when established sporting traditions remained highly influential, while a new form of international fitness was emerging — more diverse, more specialised and geographically more open.

Eastern Europe retained a strong position.

Western Europe was actively participating in international competition.

South America was becoming increasingly visible.

The boundaries of a competitive athletic career were expanding.

New categories were emerging.

Women's fitness was developing.

Disabled athletes were being incorporated into competitive programmes.

And the overall titles could travel from Vilnius to Uruguay and England.

This is the historical significance of the 2008 “Universe”.

It does not tell us only who won.

It tells us what the sport itself looked like.

What its geographical landscape was.

What its concepts of physical excellence were.

What its international community was becoming.

And, finally, what that particular moment in history looked like — a period when fitness was becoming increasingly global, diverse and open to new countries, new categories and new generations of athletes.

2008 in Historical Perspective

Today, the tournament can be regarded as one of the archival “snapshots” of its era.

Its records preserve more than statistics.

They preserve the geography of the sport.

They preserve its sporting values.

They preserve its model of international cooperation.

They preserve the understanding of what an athlete should be — and how diverse the path towards physical excellence could become.

For this reason, the 2008 Vilnius “Universe” deserves a place not only in the WFF-WBBF sporting calendar.

It deserves a place in the history of international fitness at the turn of the 21st century — as evidence of an era when the sport was becoming increasingly global, diverse and open to new countries, new categories and new generations of athletes.

WORLD SPORT HISTORY. Looking Back: WFF-WBBF Searched for New Paths in the Development of International Sport.

The years 2003–2005 were an important turning point in the history of WFF-WBBF. After German Klaus P. J. Hoffmann withdrew from active international sports activities within the part of the WFF-WBBF federation he had led, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras became the sole leader of the organization continuing to oversee the federation’s international activities and its directions for sports development.

At that time, the federation faced not only organizational challenges but also much broader strategic questions: How should international sport continue to develop? What direction should fitness take? And how could a sports model be created that would not simply reproduce the traditional principles of bodybuilding?

Tradition Does Not Always Mean Progress

For decades, established models had become deeply rooted in the world of bodybuilding. Yet tradition in itself does not necessarily mean progress.

The WFF-WBBF leadership understood that moving forward required more than organizing another competition in the same format or mechanically repeating solutions that were already familiar. It was necessary to look for innovations, experiment, observe the results and not be afraid to change what had long been considered self-evident.

This approach had already been visible in the federation’s activities before 2003. In 1999, WFF-WBBF introduced children’s “Fit-Kid” and disabled athletes’ categories into its activities. This was an important step that broadened the very concept of sport – sport was no longer viewed solely as competition among elite athletes, but also as an activity in which children and people with disabilities should have their place.

Beginning in 2004, the federation also started organizing fitness model competitions. These decisions were not accidental. They reflected a broader effort to search for new forms of sport and to expand the very concept of fitness as a sporting discipline.

2004 – A Year of Experimentation

The year 2004 became a particularly significant period. Numerous national and international competitions were held in Lithuania, a major international “Amber Prix” tournament was organized in Riga, and an important European Championship took place in Moscow.

However, the significance of these events went beyond the sporting results themselves. At that time, WFF-WBBF was actively experimenting with different categories, judging criteria and competition formats.

The federation was searching for an answer to a fundamental question: What should the direction of modern international fitness sport be?

In many respects, this was an experimental period. Rather than simply adapting to an existing model, the federation was looking for ways to change it itself. What mattered was not only how an athlete looked on stage, but also how competitions could be organized, how athletes could be evaluated and how the sport could be perceived by spectators.

The goal was to find an optimal balance between athletic preparation, aesthetics, the attractiveness of competitions and the organization of international sport.

Vilnius – A Center of International Sport

One of the most important events of 2004 was the WFF-WBBF World Championship held at the Vilnius Congress Palace.

The event also received state-level attention. The championship was supported by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, while an extensive report on the competition was broadcast by Lithuanian national television.

The championship brought together 378 athletes from 28 countries around the world. These figures clearly demonstrate the scale and international character of the event.

Almost all participating athletes were provided with free accommodation and meals in Vilnius hotels. Behind these figures was an enormous amount of organizational work. Hundreds of foreign athletes had to be welcomed, accommodated and provided with meals, while the organizers also had to manage the competition program, judging and countless other details involved in staging a major international event.

The 2004 World Championship therefore became not only a sporting challenge but also a major organizational test for WFF-WBBF.

The Creation of a Professional League

That same year, the federation took another significant step – it established a professional league and incorporated professional competitions into its official competition program.

This was important because the goal was not merely to create a system of individual championships, but a broader sports structure in which elite professional athletes could also have their place.

In this way, WFF-WBBF sought to connect different stages of an athlete’s sporting career – from children’s and amateur sport to the professional level.

State Attention to International Sport

The chairman of the organizing committee of the 2004 World Championship was Gediminas Kirkilas, at the time, a member of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania and Minister of National Defence, and later, from 2006, Prime Minister of Lithuania.

He personally signed the diplomas presented to the competition winners and participated in the international WFF-WBBF press conference held at the ELTA news agency.

These facts are also an important part of the history of that period. They demonstrate that WFF-WBBF international events in Lithuania attracted attention not only within the sporting community but also in broader public and governmental circles.

The 2004 World Championship – A Test of the Chosen Direction

The 2004 World Championship became, in a sense, a test of the direction WFF-WBBF had chosen.

The new categories, judging principles, competition formats and the concept of professional sport that had been tested previously were brought together within a major international event.

This is where one of the most important characteristics of that period can be seen: WFF-WBBF did not limit itself to declarations about sports development. It attempted to put its ideas into practice.

2005 – Continuation of the Direction

This work continued in 2005.

Another major WFF-WBBF World Championship was held over two days at the Vilnius Congress Palace. The chairman of its organizing committee was Algirdas Butkevičius, who at the time was a member of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania and Minister of Finance.

The fact that another major international event was organized following the 2004 World Championship demonstrated the continuity of the direction that had been chosen.

More Than Competitions – Searching for the Future of Sport

Looking back at these events from a broader historical perspective, the period of 2003–2005 should not be regarded simply as another stage in the organization of international competitions.

It was a period in which the federation was searching for an answer to a much more complex question:

What direction should sport itself take?

At that time, WFF-WBBF attempted to move beyond the traditional boundaries of bodybuilding. Children’s “Fit-Kid,” sport for people with disabilities, fitness model competitions, new categories, experiments with judging criteria and the creation of a professional league were different expressions of one broader direction.

The aim was to create a sports system that would be broader, more diverse and more open to different groups of athletes.

Therefore, the history of this period should not be measured solely by the number of medals won or competitions organized. Much more important was the attempt to change the very approach to sports development.

A simple truth was recognized – a truth that is not always implemented by sports organizations:

If sport wants to remain alive and attractive, it cannot stand still forever.

History Is Also About What People Dared to Search For

In 2003–2005, WFF-WBBF chose the path of exploration.

The federation experimented, searched for solutions, made decisions and tested whether those decisions worked in practice. Some of the decisions may have been controversial, and some later changed, but the underlying principle was clear:

Sport must evolve.

That is why this period can be regarded as one of the more important stages in WFF-WBBF history. It was a time when the federation sought not only to organize international competitions but also to develop its own vision of what the future of fitness sport could be.

More than two decades later, the decisions made at that time can be viewed from a different historical perspective. What may then have appeared to be an experiment or a bold attempt can today help us better understand the logic of sporting evolution.

New categories, children’s sport, the inclusion of people with disabilities, a system for professional athletes and large-scale international competitions were all attempts to create a broader world of sport.

History is not only about what was achieved at the time. It is also about what people dared to search for.

The activities of WFF-WBBF during 2003–2005 tell precisely this story: a period when tradition was no longer regarded as a sufficient answer, when new solutions were being sought and when there was an attempt to demonstrate that international sport could be not merely inherited, but created.

Therefore, the main conclusion of this period is simple:

WFF-WBBF was not looking for yet another way to organize competitions – it was searching for a new path for sport itself.