WORLD BODYBUILDING HISTORY IN ONE PAGE.

ARTICLE IS ON THE WAY.

In the article we will speak about official sport only. We will cover World bodybuilding history shortly.

During the last Century World was didvided in to two parts – „Capitalist“ („Western“) and Socialist. Being in confrontation both parts communicated in between very little. Through A.A.U. („Amateur Athlete‘s Union“, established in 1888) basing on Olympic weightlifting sport in 1940 bodybuilding was controlled by USA weightlifting authority BOB HOFFMAN (Robert Collins Hoffman, 1898 - 1985 m.). Due to efforts of BOB HOFFMAN World‘s bodybuilding sterted to be governed by International F.I.H.C. (F.I.H., „Federation Internationale Halterophile“) federation. F.I.H.C. was a member of the International Olympic Committee (Tarptautinis Olimpinis Komitetas, I.O.C., М.О.К., Международный Олимпийский Комитет). This way bodybuilding became officially recognized sport. For many years there were many misunderstandings about the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) commercial company. In 1946 one of founders of the I.F.B.B. BEN WEIDER wrote in his biography, saying he was so much happy when I.F.B.B. made it‘s first business – sold for several dollars two barbells... That was the start of the I.F.B.B. company. When I.F.B.B. commercial company started organizing bodybuilding contests – F.I.H.C. was leading World‘s bodybuilding at that time. Nobody could replace I.O.C. member F.I.H.C.. World‘s bodybuilding strategy was created and developed by F.I.H.C..

„Socialist“ bodybuilding was separated from the „Western“. Both did not communicate at all. In 1959 BOB HOFFMAN presenetd bodybuilding sport to Socialist countries. Influenced by BOB HOFFMAN International „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.») was created. It was governed by the „U.S.S.R. Ministry of Sport“ («Министерство спорта С.С.С.Р.»). The federation was not working. Then in 1968 another „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ was created in Kaunas (Lithuanian SSR). This federation was not under the U.S.S.R. Government and it was active until bodybuilding was prohibited in Socialist Countries in 1973.

WHAT HAPPENINGS ARE IMPORTANT IN OUR SPORT?

Before we start speaking about World bodybuilding history we should discuss about essential basics. Which happening are important in World bodybuilding history? We will speak about them now and later in the article.

Bodybuilder lifted impressive weight – is this important for sport in general?

Bodybuilder has impressive biceps - is this important for sport in general?

Bodybuilder won a definite contest - is this important for sport in general?

Let us make conclusion – this has no effect to the development of International Sport.

Let us have an example. One really big Lithuanian bodybuilder was invited to teach youngsters at the seminar. The best result of this bodybuilder is the winning first place at the contest of the International Federation of Homosexual Bodybuilders. There was no wins in his life, this bodybuilder is proud of having an “I.F.B.B. Pro Card”. But he never was even on the third place at the Pro competitions. And again - “I.F.B.B. Pro Card” of which I.F.B.B.? I.F.B.B. of RAFAEL SANTONJA or I.F.B.B. of JIM MANION? Anyway this has no value to the development of International bodybuilding sport. Even to Lithuania sport it has zero value…

Yes, there are exceptions. Let us speak about the life story of ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER. Millions of fans dream to follow his way. Be no naïve. We do not know anybody else in bodybuilding which wife represents powerful KENNEDY family or something similar to it. Basing on the KENNEDY FAMILY our ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER had success in Hollywood. Without Hollywood he would be as a number of other great bodybuilder of his time. Not better. KENNEDY family made ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER the Governor of the California State. KENNEDY family even started making steps to make of ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER the President of the United States. But one awful step and down behavior stopped the connections with KENNEDY family. This way ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER lost his family, he lost the Governor’s post and big future… Being on top of his life ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER could influence World’s bodybuilding sport so much. But refusing work together with WEIDER brothers JOE and BEN he went his own way. WEIDER brothers were seeking Olympic recognition at that time. The only one thing that remains for ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER is forty years lasting his competition “Arnold Classic”. But “Arnold Classic” is not recognized at any World’s country and it is just a private toy of ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER. It is not official.

Full article we will present in parts soon. Follow International Page www.wff.lt

60 YEARS WE ARE CREATING WORLD SPORT HISTORY.

CHAIRMEN INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION VISITED PRESIDENT REPUBLIC LITHUANIA.

On January 22, 2026 International Chairmen of the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Bodybuilding Federation)  visited historic President of the Republic Lithuania Professor Dr. VYTAUTAS LANDSBERGIS.

At the several hours lasting discussion with Professor Dr. VYTAUTAS LANDSBERGIS took part President of the International W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. federation DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS, for social work awarded with Honour Diploma of the International U.N.E.S.C.O. organization President of the Lithuania Sport Fitness Federation DARIUS DAUBARAS, representing „Rotary“ Club of the Lithuanian Republic Docent of the Klaipeda University historic VIDIMANTAS RAUDYS.

BLOCKADE TELEGRAMS

In 2015 communication with Professor Dr. VYTAUTAS LANDSBERGIS DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS spoke about 1990 possibilities to ruin the U.S.S.R. economic Lithuania blockade. At that time knowing about the difficulties with goods and products bodybuilders of German Democratic Republic (D.D.R.) proposed their help to the Lithuanian Republic. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS received their two telegrams. Germans suggested to address the Government of Lithuania as nobody had so much money at that time. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS called to the Government and spoke with the Prime Minister KAZIMIERA PRUNSKIENE. Then she refused the help of the D.D.R. businessmen and bodybuilders. Hearing this Professor Dr. VYTAUTAS LANDSBERGIS asked to give him those telegrams. The archieves of the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International are really rich and big. Only now the telegrams were found. During the 2026 visit to the President Republic Lithuania Professor Dr. VYTAUTAS LANDSBERGIS DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS presented him the telegrams.

INTERNATIONAL HONORABLE AWARD.

No one other President of the Republic Lithuania is so much historically connected with International Bodybuilding sport but Professor Dr. VYTAUTAS LANDSBERGIS. During the meeting with Professor International W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. President DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS awarded Dr. VYTAUTAS LANDSBERGIS with the Highest International Honour Award – the „International Honour Gold Medal“.

Detailed historic article is on the way. Follow International Page www.wff.lt

DOCTOR OF SCIENCES – DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA.

HIGH EVALUATION OF WORK DONE.
On June, 2013 the International President of the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation) EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS paid the Official Visit to the Ukraine City Lvov.
Having beautiful historic background and nice history rich with the original architectural monuments and buildings Lvov with it‘s 800 000 Citizen is a real old European City.
Coming to Lvov the President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was respectfully met by the Lvov City Official Representatives and who followed him to the best ancient Lvov City „Leopolis“ Hotel Apartments.

After the evaluation of the International work done by the President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS the Lvov Stavropigion University (started it‘s history in 1788) Academic Council presented EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS the Honorable Academic „University Science Doctor‘s“ Degree (Doctor Honoris Causa, Doctor of Sciences, DSc). And this is the Highest Academic Degree.
At the Lvov City Stavropigion University Honour Ceremony were present many High Representatives of Science, among them the Rector of Lvov Stavropigion University, Vice President the U.N.E.S.C.O. Program Centre Professor DSc. JAROSLAV KMIT (Ярослав Кмiт), the Rector Moscow University and Academic of the International Academy of Euroasia, Academic Science Academy of High Schools Ukraine, Professor VIKTOR IDZIO (Вiктор Iдзьо).

The Article will be continued.

More Information is on Global Site www.wff.lt

2008 INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT "AMBER PRIX"

Klaipėda, Lithuania, 2008

In 2008, alongside the international “Amber Prix” tournament held in Klaipėda, the organizers of the global WFF–WBBF federation were actively working on staging the traditional “Universe” competition in Vilnius, as well as the WBBF World Professional Championship. At the same time, the WFF World Professional Championship, featuring substantial prize money, was again organized in Prague at the Žofín Palace by Czech businessman Martin Kuta.

Following a meeting between the leaders of the WFF-WBBF Federation and the Minister of Sport of the Republic of Poland, Zbigniew Pacelt, Bydgoszcz businessman Jerzy Gotowski took the initiative to organize the WFF-WBBF World Amateur Championship in his city.

This important decision became a significant step in strengthening the Federation’s international recognition and promoting the development of bodybuilding and fitness sports throughout Europe. The organization of the event brought together the efforts of the city authorities, the business community, and sports organizations, while the championship itself became one of the most important WFF-WBBF sporting events of the year.

The World Amateur Championship held in Bydgoszcz gathered athletes from numerous countries and further reinforced the Federation’s position in the international sports arena.

“Amber Prix”

The 2008  "Amber Prix" competition took place in the sports hall of LCC International University.

On the occasion of the event, former President of the Austrian Parliament Professor Alfred Gerstl presented the people of Klaipeda with a unique collection of original photographs of his protégé, then Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as a documentary film depicting Schwarzenegger’s life journey and athletic career.

The photographs were displayed in an exhibition held on the premises of LCC International University, while the documentary film was screened for the large audience gathered to watch the competition.

The official opening ceremony was attended by members of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, representatives of national and municipal institutions, and other distinguished guests. The event was filmed by a production crew from the Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), which had arrived from Vilnius.

During the 2008 “Amber Prix” tournament, both living and deceased veterans were honored. After the competition, heads of foreign delegations visited the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania and the Ministry of Sport of the Republic of Lithuania, and also attended a press conference held at the ELTA news agency.

On the occasion of the event, a historical trilingual magazine (10,000 copies) and 3,000 copies of the competition DVD were published. These materials were distributed free of charge at various international events around the world.

A total of 293 athletes from 21 countries participated in the event: Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, and Ukraine.

Results

(only first three places)

FIT-KIDS DIVISION

Girls up to 8 years

Marcelina Porożyńska (Poland) Maja Dembowska (Poland) Karolina Młot (Poland)

Girls up to 10 years

Nikola Szydłowska (Poland) Natalia Janta (Poland) Ugnė Klumbyte (Klaipeda, Lithuania)

Girls up to 12 years

Klaudia Korpan (Poland) Paulina Rocławska (Poland) Aleksandra Dudáková (Slovakia)

Girls up to 14 years

Miriama Zigálová (Slovakia) Stanislava Dolinská (Slovakia) Kateryna Bezrodna (Ukraine)

Girls up to 16 years

Joanna Kwiatkowska (Poland) Oksana Didukh (Ukraine) Sylwia Kaczmarek (Poland)

Boys up to 10 years

Anton Florija (Vilnius, Lithuania)

Boys up to 14 years

Dmytro Girya (Ukraine)

AEROBIC FITNESS

Up to 18 years

Anita Bekus (Poland) Radvile Jokubauskyte (Klaipeda, Lithuania) Marta Noska (Poland)

Up to 21 years

Alina Olefirenko (Ukraine) Agata Czerkawska (Poland) Daria Shumarova (Ukraine)

Women – Category I

Natalia Bocian (Poland) Ivana Sokolova (Slovakia) Elena Tarasova (Russian Federation)

Women – Category II

Marija Deksne (Latvia) Irina Nikitina (Klaipeda, Lithuania) Vilma Asijaviciene (Marijampole, Lithuania)

Men

Andrius Smaguris (Vilnius, Lithuania) Mikhail Glazunov (Russian Federation) Piotr Grinevich (Belarus)

Women's Masters

Erzsébet Herczog (Hungary) Elena Odentsova (Ukraine) Svetlana Galkina (Russian Federation)

ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES DIVISION

Wheelchair Category

Petar Milenković (Serbia) Arturas Krutulis (Marijampole, Lithuania) Genadij Zametaskin (Kaunas, Lithuania)

General Disability Category

Nikolaj Mironov (Vilnius, Lithuania)

FITNESS MODEL

Category I

Lenka Maková (Slovakia) Aušra Tasiukeviciute (Kaunas, Lithuania) Weronika Krajewska (Poland)

Category II

Roberta Burokaite (Kaunas, Lithuania) Ksenija Dunderski (Serbia) Juste Matulyte (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Category III

Eva Martinková (Slovakia) Jadwiga Krizanovska (Latvia) Sylwia Kaczmarek (Poland)

Category IV

Rita Elksniņa (Latvia) Aleksandra Sizonova (Klaipeda, Lithuania) Veronika Juhaseva (Slovakia)

WOMEN'S SPORT FITNESS

Juniors up to 16 years

Brigita Vecerskaite (Palanga, Lithuania) Vaida Grebliauskaite (Kaunas, Lithuania) Aleksandra Ivanova (Bulgaria)

Juniors up to 18 years

Radvile Jokubauskyte (Klaipeda, Lithuania) Juste Matulyte (Kaunas, Lithuania) Anita Bekus (Poland)

Youth up to 21 years

Zita Satkauskaite (Telsiai, Lithuania) Alina Olefirenko (Ukraine) Lenka Maková (Slovakia)

Women – Category I

Oksana Rumyantseva (Russian Federation) Nataša Maksimović (Serbia) Nora Loranen (Finland)

Women – Category II

Oksana Usachova (Russian Federation) Kristina Serksnaite (Kaunas, Lithuania) Tatiana Dudneva (Russian Federation)

Women – Category III

Jamila Vanessa Toledo (Argentina) Irina Pateshkina (Russian Federation) Kirsi Marika Tuominen (Finland)

Women – Category IV

Monika De Jesus Bolaños (Mexico) Odeta Vaisnoriene (Vilnius, Lithuania) Natalia Lysenko (Ukraine)

Women – Category V

Ilona Kokos (Vilnius, Lithuania) Irina Fedoruk (Belarus) Andrea Koflach (Austria)

MEN'S SPORT FITNESS

Juniors up to 16 years

Rokas Kasperavicius (Kaunas, Lithuania) Deividas Savickas (Vilnius, Lithuania) Valdas Miseikis (Klaipeda, Lithuania)

Juniors up to 18 years

Edgaras Linortas (Kaunas, Lithuania) Tadas Tumbortas (Kaunas, Lithuania) Lukás Palaga (Slovakia)

Youth up to 21 years

Erik Tóth (Slovakia) Deividas Ignatavicius (Vilnius, Lithuania) Mantas Stankevicius (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Men – Category I

Anton Yezhov (Russian Federation) Alexey Chigarov (Russian Federation) Artur Sinickij (Vilnius, Lithuania)

Men – Category II

Vadim Gushchin (Russian Federation) Jukka-Pekka Nousiainen (Finland) Deniss Gladkijs (Latvia)

Men – Category III

Leonid Filatov (Russian Federation) Roman Polsin (Estonia) Dmytro Strelnikov (Ukraine)

Men – Category IV

Darius Buksnaitis (Sakiai, Lithuania) Davyd Tukhtayev (Russian Federation) Nikolaos Giannakis (Greece)

Men – Category V

Arvydas Miseikis (Klaipeda, Lithuania) Sergej Kiriuchin (Vilnius, Lithuania) Predrag Milosević (Serbia)

Men – Category VI

Vladimir Polyakov (Russian Federation) Normunds Jurans (Latvia) Eduard Larin (Russian Federation)

Men – Category VII

Vitalijus Kuzmycius (Vilnius, Lithuania) Aleksandr Shevtsov (Estonia) Alexey Tarasov (Russian Federation)

OVERALL CHAMPIONS

Women's Overall Champion: Jamila Vanessa Toledo (Argentina)

Men's Overall Champion: Darius Buksnaitis (Lithuania)

WHO IN THE U.S.S.R. THOUGHT AND ACTED ON AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL? The Role of Personality in Bodybuilding and Life

Human personality is shaped by many factors. One of the most important is the perspective from which a person evaluates events and the scale at which he or she perceives them. When discussing bodybuilding, an athlete, a coach, a sports club manager, and an organizer all view and evaluate the same phenomena differently. Even sports historians, working with the same documents and sources, often arrive at different conclusions.

When assessing the development of bodybuilding, it is important to distinguish between local-level and international-level figures. An international-level specialist must be able to rise above the realities of his era, view processes from a broader perspective, and see the larger picture. Otherwise, it becomes impossible to understand the true causes of events and their consequences.

During the formative years of bodybuilding and throughout the period when the sport was prohibited in the U.S.S.R., there were very few individuals capable of broad strategic thinking. There were also very few organizers. The bodybuilders who participated in international events in the Baltic States generally remained focused on the interests of their own cities, clubs, or regions.

Among them were Yevgeny Koltun of Tyumen in the Russian S.F.S.R., Kaliningrad coach Yuri Smolyakov, U.S.S.R. champion Alexander Lemechov from Severodvinsk, and Leningrad bodybuilder Vladimir Dubinin. In the Latvian S.S.R., a similar role was played by Feliks Sajkovskis, while in the Lithuanian S.S.R. there were essentially no internationally minded bodybuilding leaders at that time. Apart from those mentioned above, almost no active bodybuilding organizers emerged during the years when the sport was prohibited in the Soviet Union.

One exception may be considered Romanas Kalinauskas, General Secretary of the U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation. However, his activities were primarily oriented toward administrative control and state institutions. In seeking to manage processes, he frequently relied on intrigue, conflict, and the pursuit of personal ambitions. Since he spoke no foreign languages, he remained isolated from international bodybuilding developments and was unable to fully comprehend global trends within the sport.

Another exception was Innar Mardo (1946–2002) of the Estonian S.S.R. Nevertheless, his activities were largely confined to Estonia, and he did not seek to influence bodybuilding throughout the entire Soviet Union. The regularly organized international “Georg Tenno Memorial” competitions in Tallinn elevated Innar Mardo above many other Soviet organizers, as there were very few comparable events elsewhere in the U.S.S.R.

A third organizer who can be regarded as operating on an international level was Dr. Edmundas Daubaras. During the years when bodybuilding was banned—1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977—he organized the internationally recognized “Amber Prix” competitions in Klaipėda despite the disapproval of the communist authorities. After years of correspondence with the U.S.S.R. Ministry of Sport, defending the right of bodybuilding to exist, he received only negative responses. Consequently, risking both his own future and that of his family, he prepared a petition in defense of bodybuilding and personally delivered it to Moscow.

The petition was submitted to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the U.S.S.R., the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R., and the editorial offices of the central newspapers Pravda and Izvestia. The documents were officially registered by these institutions. Some time later, the political authorities permitted the continuation of the Amber Prix competitions in Klaipėda.

Leaders are rarely satisfied with stability. They are distinguished by courage, responsibility, and a willingness to assume risks. They focus on achieving results and seldom consider the possibility of failure. Most people, by contrast, choose the safer role of observers.

This raises an important question: who were the true leaders of Soviet bodybuilding?

Dr. Edmundas Daubaras followed a path similar to that of his long-time international associates—IFBB President Ben Weider, NABBA President Oscar Heidenstam, WABBA President Serge Nubret, and FIHC General Secretary Oscar State. All of them based their activities not on administrative control but on the development of sport, the search for new opportunities, and international cooperation.

The inability to speak foreign languages also limited Innar Mardo’s opportunities. However, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras consistently assisted him in overcoming this barrier. Romanas Kalinauskas, meanwhile, directed all of his efforts toward the Soviet Ministry of Sport and the U.S.S.R. Weightlifting Federation. Yet during the years when bodybuilding was prohibited, little meaningful support could be expected from these institutions.

While studying English and German Philology at Vilnius State University, Edmundas Daubaras attempted to unite sports clubs throughout Vilnius for common purposes. At the time, no one else undertook such an initiative.

It is easy to speak after obstacles have been overcome and development proceeds naturally. However, during the years when bodybuilding faced prohibition and when personal futures were at stake, almost nobody dared openly defend the sport. Only one person assumed that responsibility—Dr. Edmundas Daubaras.

Throughout more than five decades of organizational activity, many individuals sought to become his deputies, successors, or imitators. Yet none achieved comparable results.

Dr. Daubaras’ active and often turbulent work was not welcomed by everyone. Seeking to avoid constant conflicts, he enrolled at Vilnius University for a second time in 1979, having already earned a degree in Germanic Philology, and began studying law.

At approximately the same time, Innar Mardo also faced serious difficulties. Following conflicts and leadership changes within the Estonian bodybuilding federation in 1979, he lost his previous position. Later attempts to return were unsuccessful. According to his letters to Edmundas Daubaras, these events had lasting consequences for his future activities.

Klaipėda has always been distinguished by its independent spirit and unique outlook. During the Lithuanian S.S.R., throughout the Soviet Union, and now internationally, the city has often functioned as an independent cultural and social center. The bodybuilding movement in Klaipėda reflected this same spirit.

Dr. Edmundas Daubaras’ leadership eventually led him to the presidency of the international WFF–WBBF organization. Today, the federation unites national organizations from more than 140 countries around the world. In addition, he participates in the activities of various international organizations, including those cooperating with the United Nations and UNESCO.

As a result of his active international work, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras has met numerous world-renowned politicians, public figures, and representatives of religious organizations.

In 2010, in Portugal, during a convention of the International Order of Knights Templar, he was awarded the St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Medal for promoting ideas aimed at dialogue and cooperation among the world’s religions.

In 2011, an official reception for the President of the WFF–WBBF Federation took place in the Vatican. During the meeting, the federation’s activities and the history of bodybuilding in the Soviet Union were presented to Vatican officials. Cardinal Jozef Tomko, Prefect of the Vatican Congregation, characterized the efforts to defend bodybuilding during the Soviet era as dissident activity directed against the communist regime. In recognition of his contributions to health promotion and the development of professional sport, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras was awarded the Vatican Pontifical Medal.

In subsequent years, he met with parliamentary leaders, prime ministers, ministers, and other senior state officials from various countries across Europe and Asia.

In 2015, during the opening ceremony of an international tournament, Lithuanian Government representative Antanas Vinkus referred to Dr. Edmundas Daubaras as “Lithuania’s Ambassador to the World.”

In 2023, following nominations by organizations cooperating within UNESCO structures, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras was awarded the title of “Ambassador of Peace” and received a commemorative distinction.

In 2024, representatives of Estonian public organizations presented him with the U.R.K. Silver Cross Order at the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania in recognition of his active public service.

Conclusions

An analysis of the history of bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R. suggests that only a small number of individuals were capable of thinking and acting on an international level. Most remained focused on the concerns of local clubs, cities, or republics, whereas international activity required broader vision, foreign-language skills, the establishment of international contacts, and a willingness to accept personal risk.

During the years when bodybuilding was prohibited, the role of the individual became decisive. When institutions either failed to support the sport or actively opposed its development, responsibility fell upon a handful of determined leaders. Among them, Innar Mardo in Estonia and Dr. Edmundas Daubaras in Lithuania occupied particularly prominent positions.

Dr. Edmundas Daubaras distinguished himself not only through organizational ability but also through a long-term strategic vision. His work extended far beyond the organization of sporting events; it encompassed the defense of bodybuilding at political, social, and international levels.

History demonstrates that the development of sport is most often driven not by institutions but by determined individuals. Their initiative, responsibility, and ability to act under difficult circumstances become the principal forces of progress. Therefore, when discussing the history of bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R., the role of personality remains one of the most important factors that enabled the sport to survive, develop, and ultimately become an international phenomenon.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt