CZECH AND SLOVAK BODYBUILDING. ANALYTICAL REVUE.
WORLD BODYBUILDING REVUE. ARTICLE. THE START.
During the life nearly everybody somehow is connected with Bodybuilding and Fitness.
Being the World‘s Leader of the Official Sport of Bodybuilding and Fitness the W.F.F.-W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation) International Federation is working over the „World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia“ and prepares the historical Article - Revue of the World‘s Bodybuilding Sport.

The International Bodybuilding Organizations and the Countries that were and still are really important for the Official International Bodybuilding Sport will be covered in this Article. You know that many of so called „International Federations“ just fool the public as they are not official by the National and International Law and play no role for the Official Sport in real.

CZECH AND SLOVAK BODYBUILDING. ANALYTICAL REVUE.
Working on the above mentioned materials the W.F.F.-W.B.B.F. International prepares analytical revue of the bodybuilding sport in Czech and Slovak Republics. The revue includes the history of bodybuilding in both Countries (former Czechoslovakia), most important sportsmen and sport organizers of all times.

Few or us know that at the definite period of time Czechoslovakia bodybuilding has played such a very important role for the International Sport. We will cover the history and we will tell this story.
The similar historic revues are already done by us about the bodybuilding sport in USA, UK, France, Scandinavia Countries, Belgium, India, Iran, Argentina, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine and Estonia. Still remaining only a few Countries.

PERIODS OF BODYBUILDING IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA.

Last Century for a long time the World was divided by the „Iron Wall“ in two parts: the Socialist and the Capitalist. For political reasons the Bodybuilding Sport was prohibited and prosecuted in all Socialist Countries. Effected by the occasionally from the Western World received  Bodybuilding Magazines the Bodybuilding Sport in Socialist Countries went their own original way.

Quite a long time the only one traditional regular International Bodybuilding Contest of all the Socialist World was the famous historical „Amber Prix International“ („Gintarinis prizas“, „Янтарный приз“, 1968-2025). Today all know that during the long years of the Bodybuilding Sport prohibition and prosecution the „Amber Prix International“ was the unofficial Bodybuilding Championship of the U.S.S.R. (uniting 15 Country-members, the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics). Later on the U.S.S.R. Sport Ministry („Goskomsport“) officially accepted this fact and started presenting prestigious governmental „U.S.S.R. Sport Master“ degrees for the „Amber Prix International“ Champions. This way the „Amber Prix International“ became somehow equal to the official U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Championship. In real due to the number and the level of the participating Countries and Competitors the „Amber Prix International“ was the unofficial World Championship of the Socialist Countries.

Czechoslovakia Bodybuilding development as it was in all Socialist Countries can be divided in three periods:

-        First period until 1975. Then due to the initiative of the President Czechoslovakia National Bodybuilding Federation VOTECH FIALA this Federation joined the International Sport Society and got political permeation to participate at the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) World and Europe Championships. For a long time Czechoslovakia was the only one Socialist Country which had this unique permeation. No one other Socialist Country could do the same for a long time.

 

-        Second period until 1987, when Bodybuilding Sport was under severe prosecution in the Socialist Countries

 

-        Third period after 1991, when the National Bodybuilding Organizations of all Socialist Countries felt real freedom to join the International Bodybuilding Sport Society.

We will speak about each period individually.

THE BEGINNING.

The history of the Czechoslovakia Bodybuilding starts in 1967. Then the first Czechoslovakia Bodybuilder JURAJ VISNY was known  after a number of his successful contests.

CZECHOSLOVAKIA MOVES AS A  ROCKET.

In 1975 for two months DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  was working in the capital city of Czechoslovakia Prague. Remember - it was the time when for political reasons Bodybuilding in all Socialist Countries was prohibited and prosecuted. Being afraid nobody of the Sport Leaders in the Socialist Countries dared to do anything to develop Bodybuilding (more information and documents about this are published in various languages in the International Magazines „Sport of Fitness and Bodybuilding“ («Спортивный фитнес и культуризм», “Sportinis fitnesas ir kultūrizmas”) and on the International Web Site www.wff.lt, read Articles on the main page and forum topics „World Bodybuilding History. How it was in real“ and „Various International Organizations“).

1975 was the unique year for Czechoslovakia bodybuilders. Then the  President Czechoslovakia National Bodybuilding Federation was VOJTECH FIALA.  Due to VOJTECH FIALA personal efforts and personal relations with the Government Czechoslovakia and a number of International Organizations Czechoslovakia Federation got the unique political permeation to participate at the Competitions of the „Western World“. That were the Contests organized by the Owner and the President of the I.F.B.B. BEN WEIDER. This was the unbelievable Winning among  all Socialist bodybuilders as for nearly two next decades no other National Federation af any Socialist Countries could participate in the „Western World“, but Czechoslovakia.

After meeting the President Czechoslovakia National Bodybuilding Federation VOJTECH FIALA  in 1975 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  had a chance to not only watch but even to participate at the very important International Bodybuilding Events as well. Then DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was invited as a VIP Guest to participate at two Meetings of the Czechoslovakia National Bodybuilding Federation Executive Council in Brno. Another Czechoslovakia Bodybuilding Leader Professor FRANTISEK BULVA  was present at the above mentioned meetings too. Among other questions the matter of the relations with the U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding was discussed over. In order to continue the relations the Executive Council appointed IVAN MACH to be responsible for the U.S.S.R. matters and affairs (later Ivan Mach became the President of the Czechoslovakia National Bodybuilding Federation).

Then together with VOJTECH FIALA DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS visited Ministry of Sport republic Czechoslovakia (Č.S.T.V., Československi Svaz Telesne Vychovy). Meeting with the Minister of Sport was organized and discussion about the situation inbodybuilding was held.

Under the initiative of the President VOJTECH FIALA  DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS again as a VIP Guest attended the Government supported Camp of the National Bodybuilding Team of Czechoslovakia. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  personally met and spoke with the Czechoslovakia Team Leaders PETR STACH, PETR TLAPAK, ALOIS PEK  and a number of other Bodybuilders and National Trainers. In 1975 PETR STACH  was the first historical representative of the Socialist World who became Europe Bodybuilding Champion. Then in Sweden Czechoslovakia Bodybuilders was a shock for the „Western“ representatives as they demonstrated them a beautiful complex of individual routines. Until this routine compositions of the „Western“ Bodybuilders were plain and often primitive.

SOCIALIST COUNTRIES BODYBUILDING LITERATURE.

Through the time of the prohibition of bodybuilding sport in the Socialist Countries nobody even dreamed about the bodybuilding literature. The exception was in Czechoslovakia Bratislava issued  „Trener“ Magazine (in nineties a German D.D.R. Weight Lifting Magazine started to publish some information too). During this time DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  used to give articles and contest information for these Magazines. Also for BEN WEIDER‘S „Flex“ magazine. All magazines used to publish the DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS given materials. First of all it was information from the World‘s Oldest Traditional Bodybuilding Contest, the only one annual International Bodybuilding Event in all Socialist Counties, the „Amber Prix International“ (1968-2025). The Czechoslovakia „Trener“ Magazines were published by JOZEF MAZAK and later by MILAN PERDOCH.

ONE MORE STEP AGAINST COMMUNIST REGIME.

The first great victory against the political Communist Regime during the time of  prohibition and prosecution of bodybuilding sport in the Socialist Countries was achieved in 1977 by personal efforts and personal risk of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS wrote a petition to defend prohibited bodybuilding. Then he went to Moscow and addressed the Communist Party headquarters and main U.S.S.R. newspapers. After a dialogue the U.S.S.R. political power gave DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  the unique exceptional permeation to organize annual bodybuilding  contest „Amber Prix International“ in Klaipeda, Lithuania.

That were the exact activities and actions of the President W.F.F.-W.B.B.F. International DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS which during his  Official Visit to the Vatican Administration were named by the Vatican Congregat Prefect J. Em. JOZEF KARDINAL TOMKO  as the „dissident“ actions against the political Communist Regime (2011).

For this work done the Vatican Congregat Prefect J. Em. JOZEF KARDINAL TOMKO presented the Vatican Pontific Medal (Medaglia Ufficiale di Pontificato di Sua Santita Benedetto XVI) to International President W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  (Headquarters State Vatican, Cita del Vaticano, March 29, 2011).

In 1977 already for the second time in a row DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  went to work in Czechoslovakia for two months again. After the first real political victory to organize „Amber Prix International“ was achieved,  DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS went to Prague with another unbelievable brave International idea that did not corresponded with the political Communist Regime politics again. During the time of bodybuilding prohibition DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS set a plan to organize International Bodybuilding Competition between U.S.S.R. and Czechoslovakia National Bodybuilding Teams. That was the unbelievable brave and fantastic idea. First the contest should be organized in Klaipeda (Lithuania) and after in Prague. The U.S.S.R. and Lithuania Official Sport Stuff did not support DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. Even more, they wanted to stop and threatened him. But the big wish of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to do good for the bodybuilding sport was very big and he dared to go on.

Then in Prague were organized a number of mutual meetings of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  and the President Czechoslovakia National Bodybuilding Federation VOJTECH FIALA  and his assistant IVAN MACH. After this all of them met the Chairman of the Ministry Sport Czechoslovakia. During these meetings were set and spoken all details to fulfil the International DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS idea.

It was very good that Czechoslovaks were positive towards DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS International plans as the Czechoslovakia bodybuilding was on the same way as the prohibited U.S.S.R. and Lithuania sport. All of us had to behave brave in order to get the positive results in standing against the bodybuilding sport enemies we had to use not standard methods.

Nobody of the Bodybuilding Sport Leaders believed in success, but DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  won again. It was the second time DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  managed to make the Political Communist Regime Officials (not the Official Sport officials who were afraid to move!!!) to believe of the necessity of the International Sport Cooperation between the Socialist Countries. In Bodybuilding as well. Especially it was about the Czechoslovakia Republic which was right after the 1968 unsuccessful  anti – Communist Revolution.  The politicians a little changed DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  plans and suggested to organize the first International Bodybuilding Event in Czechoslovakia Prague and only after this in Klaipeda. But that was not so important . We won again!

Step by step DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS received for all top U.S.S.R. Bodybuilders personal invitations to participate in Prague in 1978. During the years the best bodybuilders of the U.S.S.R. were the Lithuanian ones and that made DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  contest preparation work much easier. It seemed that it is the time to make the last finishing touches... Unfortunately some bad sides of the human being appeared – the envy. The U.S.S.R. and Lithuania Bodybuilding Leaders who were afraid to support DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  initiatives and works before, now they could not stand the success of the coming International Project. They wrote blackmailing letters to the Political Police. And their intrigues and activities ruined the plans and all the hard work done went to zero. Later on the same U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Officials many times did the same „devils“work  - they offended and blackmailed their colleagues. It had happened during the first visits of the Owner and the President of the I.F.B.B. Commercial Company BEN WEIDER to the U.S.S.R. (1974 and 1987). They organized International intrigues  about the Over All „Amber Prix International“ Champion OLEV ANNUS (Estonia, 1981). They organized International intrigues  about the Over All „Amber Prix International“ Champions ROLANDAS BUCINSKAS  and JURUJ GUSEV (Lithuania, 1980-1981). They organized International intrigues  about the Over All „Amber Prix International“ Champions VIKTORAS JUCYS  and SAULIUS MISEVICIUS (Lithuania, 1988). End a number of more similar facts...

COMMUNIST POWER LETS BODYBUILDING LIFE TO BE MORE EASY.

As we have written before, after DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS efforts for Bodybuilding Sport the „Iron Wall“ was broken and the sport life became more easy.  The constant relations between Socialist Countries started to be regular. Still only the Czechoslovakia bodybuilders used to participate at the „Western“ contests and this was a very important example for other Countries to follow. Anyway the Socialist Countries always did their best to organize their own International Bodybuilding Events. In the nineties of the last Century the best U.S.S.R. bodybuilders used to participate in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and German Democratic Republic (D.D.R.).

During this time a famous top level bodybuilding trainer LUDEK NOSEK  organized the  regular traditional International Bodybuilding „Sandow“ Competitions in Czechoslovakia Marianske Lazne resort. Later LUDEK NOSEK was the President of the National Bodybuilding Federation of Czechoslovakia. Appointed by the Ministry Sport Lithuania (Minister Sport ZIGMAS MOTIEKAITIS) DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  several times led the National Team Lithuania to the „Sandow“ Contest. Among the participants were the best Soviet time sportsmen „Amber Prix International“ champions ROLANDAS BUCINSKAS, ZIGMAS PRALGAUSKAS, RIMONTAS MAZIONIS  and SAULIUS MISEVICIUS. It used to be that  right after the Marianske Lazne „Sandow“ Contest a number of International Bodybuilding Events were organized in other Czechoslovakia places. And Lithuanians participated at those competitions too.

I.F.B.B. ANTIDEMOCRATIC DICTATORSHIP.

Supported by the Ministry of Sport of the Republic Lithuania DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS organized first Europe Championship in Lithuanian Klaipeda City in 1996. In Lithuania that was the first so high ranked International Bodybuilding Event ever. Also it was the first Official  International Event in Lithuania after the Country restored it‘s Independence in 1991. Then it was Czech organizer BOB DIVILEK who led the Czech National Team at this Event. Knowing so many years lasting DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS International work in Czechoslovakia, BOB DIVILEK invited Lithuania National Team to the International Bodybuilding Contest in the City of Zlin (1996).

DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS led the National Team to Czech that consisted of the National Champions ALGIRDAS KILCIAUSKAS, VYTAUTAS KINDURYS  and IDALIJA KAMINSKAITE. One of the Contest Judges at the Event was Professor KAREL TUCHACEK from Prague. Seeing the high status of the participating Lithuania Bodybuilders Professor KAREL TUCHACEK invited them to the soon coming International “Mega Pro” Contests in Prague and Brno Cities. Lithuanians agreed to remain staying in Czech and to continue participating further. Again among the numerous International participants Lithuanians took high places. Due to this the main “Mega Pro” Contest organizer and the former Europe Champion LIBOR MINARIK  invited Lithuania National Team to the same International Events in Prague and Brno  next year (1997).

After back from „Mega Pro“ Lithuania Bodybuilders became very famous as the Lithuania Press and the National Television made numerous reports about their wins. Unfortunately not everybody liked this success...

After  received the official Invitation Lithuania National Bodybuilding Team led by DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS went to Czech Contests again in 1997. Right before Lithuanians went on the Contest stage the National I.F.B.B. Lithuania President called to the Czech Organizer LIBOR MINARIK  and insisted he will not let Lithuanians participate at these Events. His reason was that the Lithuanians were representing another sport Federation but not the I.F.B.B.. LIBOR MINARIK  told him that he invited his old friends to Czech Competitions and he see no reason to forbid them participating. Again in 1997 Lithuanians took high places among all International Competitors. But that was not the end. Envying the wins of their natives the Lithuania I.F.B.B. leaders wrote a letter to the Owner and the President of the I.F.B.B. Commercial Company BEN WEIDER (Canada). BEN WEIDER told the Czech I.F.B.B. representatives that if they will allow Lithuanians participating again the Czech National  Team will be suspended for a long time from all I.F.B.B. Contests. This was the last important Lithuania International Bodybuilding wins in Czech Republic. After this no other Lithuanian won any important International Event in Czech Competitions again.

TIME PERIOD OF MARTIN KUTA.

EVEN ONE MAN CAN DO A LOT.

It seems that even one man can do a lot on International Level. A famous Czech businessman MARTIN KUTA was always a fitness sport fan. In 2005 MARTIN KUTA  addressed the W.F.F.-W.B.B.F. International President DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS asking permeation to represent as the Chairman the W.F.F.-W.B.B.F. Federation in Czech Republic and to organize annual W.F.F. Fitness Professional World Championship in Prague. From 1999 MARTIN KUTA used to organize a fitness competition in Prague, but this contest had no official International Contest Status.

The initiative of MARTIN KUTA  was supported by the Major of the City Prague and by one of the Czech Socialdemocratic Party Leaders PETR HULINSKI. The W.F.F. Pro World Championship Organizers took the responsibility to collect every year five hundred thousand Euro for the competition as the prize money for Pros, as the payment for luxurious transport, food and accommodation for the International Delegates. The W.F.F.-W.B.B.F. International was responsible to collect the Best International Pro Fitness Competitors.

The common work started in 2006. Every year the Czech Organizers hired a famous historic barocco Zofrin Palace that was placed on the Vltava river island right in the centre of Prague City. The Major City Prague was personally present at every W.F.F. Pro Event and all possible Czech Media was televising and covering the World Championship  as well. Every Event was crowned by a superiors banquette where Czech VIP persons could communicate with the famous International Athletes direct.

At the W.F.F. contests in Prague worked a number of famous Czech bodybuilding personalities among which were PETR STACH  and Professor KAREL TUCHACEK.

Once it happened that a famous USA Pro Bodybuilder JUSTIN DEXTER after his win at the JOE WEIDER‘S „OLYMPIA“ was in Prague. Having no possibilities to honour the famous bodybuilder themselves the Czech I.F.B.B. Leaders asked the Czech National W.F.F.-W.B.B.F. President MARTIN KUTA  to help them and to let JUSTIN DEXTER  stay free at one of his hotels in Prague. The W.F.F.-W.B.B.F. President agreed to help another friendly Federation. Why not?

During the mentioned period of time MARTIN KUTA led the W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Czech National Federation Delegates at the W.F.F.-W.B.B.F. International Events in Austria, Poland, Germany and Lithuania. MARTIN KUTA  was among the International Delegates at the Official Meeting at the Parliament Republic Lithuania (2007, 2008) and at the International Press Conference at the Lithuania News Agency „ELTA“ (2008).

The nice initiative stopped when in 2010 MARTIN KUTA went to constant work to the USA. Nobody else in Czech Republic could replace MARTIN KUTA to continue the International activities he started once before.

INFORMATION.

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

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

World Bodybuilding Federation (W.B.B.F. - International)

International Amateur "UNIVERSE" Contest

Women Bodybuilding Over All Winners

(2000 - 2025)

Year, Name, Country.

2025 OLGA BOGACZ, Poland

2024 JELENA BITINEVA, Latvia

2023 ANNA SOBOLEWSKA KUCHARSKA, Poland

2022 MARIJA SIVKOVA, Russia

2021 HANNA SKYTTA, Finland

2020 OLESIA KONDRATOVA, Vietnam

2019 ALISA KLIMOVA, Russia

2018 NERINA BROGGIA, Argentina

2017 WILLEKE MARLES HOORNAERT, Belgium

2016 YAMILA VANESSA TOLEDO, Argentina

2015 JULIA GLAZYCEVA, Russia

2014 VALENTINA KOZLOVSKAJA, Belarus

2013 DALVANIZA AQUINO, Brazil

2012 YAMILA VANESSA TOLEDO, Argentina

2011 FERNANDA YOUGLAR, Argentina

2010 TRACEY LEE GOTTSCHALK, South Africa

2009 IRINA VALETTE FEDORUK, France

2008 FERNANDEZ ALEXANDRA XIMENA AGUIAR, Uruguay

2007 IRINA RIABOVA, Russia

2006 ROSALIA DUTRA DE CAMPOS, Argentina

2005 RACHEL KAUPPILA, Finland

2004 MARINA BURINSKAJA, Latvia

2003 RIPERT MARIE-PIERRE DOMINIQUE, France

2002 IRINA ZINCENKO, Russia

2001 SVETLANA PUGACHEVA, Russia

2000 MARINA BURINSKAJA, Latvia

W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Secretary International Edita Sendriene

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

2008 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

UNIQUE ORIGINAL COMPETITION.

In 2008 W.F.F. -W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Bodybuilding Federation)  World Championship was held in Bydgoszcz (Poland). The competition was organized by city Mecenat JERZY GOTOWSKI and city Vice Mayor KAZIMIERZ DROZD.

The preparation started one year before with huge confrontation with the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) Chairman of trainers PAVEL FILEBORN. Before the event eight various level press conferences and meetings were organized. Among them official meetings of the International President W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS with the Minister of Sport Republic Poland ZBIGNIEW PACELT and Mayor City Bydgoszcz KONSTANTY DOMBROWICZ.

HIGH INTERNATIONAL AWARDS.

During the preparation of the World Championship a number of Officials of the Republic Poland were awarded with the  W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. “International Honour Silver Medal”. Among them Minister of Sport Republic Poland ZBIGNIEW PACELT, Mecenat JERZY GOTOWSKI, Mayor City Bydgoszcz KONSTANTY DOMBROWICZ.

MINISTER SPORT POLAND. OFFICIAL VISIT.

As we mentioned above high I.F.B.B. Official POWEL FILEBORN in order to ruin the 2008 W.F.F. World Championship was writing public letters. To stop this process organizers of the World Championship addressed the Minister Sport Poland ZBIGNIEW PACELT. W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Officials were invited to the Ministry of Sport in Warsaw where they met the Minister. During the meeting required juridic W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. and I.F.B.B. questions were spoken over. Supporting the W.F.F. World Championship ZBIGNIEW PACELT wrote official letter. This letter stopped all I.F.B.B. aggressiveness. We would like to remind that due to doping usage International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.) refused to recognize I.F.B.B. federation and bodybuilding as sport. Also I.F.B.B. statements that W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. International was not among W.A.D.A. (World Anti Doping Agency) members were stopped. At that time the National President of the W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Poland was ANDRZEJ MACIEJEWSKI. For many years ANDRZEJ MACIEJEWSKI was the Vice President of the I.F.B.B. Poland. He collected materials from press accusing I.F.B.B. Official PAWEL FILEBORN being involved in doping business and corruption. Polish athletes accused PAWEL FILEBORN selling doping usage schemes for 1 000 USD and proposing to cancel doping disqualifications for 10 000 USD. For this reason PAWEL FILEBORN was for a long time in various courts. Doping business of PAWEL FILEBORN was in popular Polish newspapers - among them in “Zycie Warszawy”, “Wiadomosczy dnia”, “Interia.pl”, “Kulturystyka” and others. By the way, after this doping scandals PAWEL FILEBORN was several times in Lithuania. There at I.F.B.B. seminars he teached Lithuanians about his personal ptactice and knowledge.

INTERNATIONAL JUDGES AND ORGANIZERS

International Judges and Organizers from Argentina, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Germany, Serbia, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Cyprus, Belarus, Denmark, Ukraine, Hungary, Croatia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzogovina participated at the event.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CATEGORY WINNERS

MILENKOVIC PETAR (Serbia), MICHAILOV DIAN (Lithuania), ZIGALA MIRIAN (Slovakia), KHASALOV FEDIR (Ukraine), GIRYA DMYTRO (Ukraine), RASMUSSEN PALLE (Denmark), KRIVCIKOV DMITRIJ (Russia), NADOLSKI WOJCIECH (Poland), BLINOV SERGEJ (Russia), ZAJANCKOVSKIJ ANTON (Lithuania), CSERNUS ANNA (Hungary), ROCLAWSKA PAULINA (Poland), CZENASC ESZTER (Hungary), ZIGALOVA MIRIAMA (Slovakia), BEKUS ANITA (Poland), CERVENA LENKA (Czech), BUDOVIC TANJA (Bosnia and Herzogovina), BOCIAN NATALIA (Poland), DUNDERSKI KSENIA (Serbia), MARTINKOVA EVA (Slovakia), MILERIUTE JOLANTA (Lithuania), TOLEDO JAMILA VANESSA (Argentina), ZIGALOVA MARIETTA (Slovakia). Over All Champions: NATALIA BOCIAN (Fitness), JOLANTA MILERIUTE (Bodybuilding Women), WOJCIECH NADOLSKI (Bodybuilding Men). 

Detailed story is on the way. Follow International Site www.wff.lt 

 

REAL WORLD BODYBUILDING HISTORY.

FIGHTS AGAINST BODYBUILDING PROHIBITION.

THE SITUATION IN THE WORLD AND IN SOCIALISM

In 1970 in Belgrade (Yugoslavia), the General Secretary of F.I.H.C. (F.I.H. – Fédération Internationale Haltérophile, later F.I.H.C. – Fédération Internationale Haltérophile et Culturisme, and later I.W.F. – International Weightlifting Federation), the British official Oscar State, established the sporting federation “International Federation of Body builders”. Until then, I.F.B.B. had been a private commercial enterprise with no connection to official sport. The same Oscar State arranged for the new I.F.B.B. federation to become a member of the Global Association of International Sports Federations  (G.A.I.S.F.). After more than twenty years of F.I.H.C. control over world bodybuilding, from 1971 onward global bodybuilding began to be led by the I.F.B.B..

PERSONALITIES OF SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING

Among the early figures of bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R. were representatives of the R.S.F.S.R.:

Genadij Baldin Roman Moroz Vladimir Dubinin

In the Lithuanian SSR:

Vytautas Zumeris Valerijus Koreškovas

After the ban on bodybuilding, some athletes switched to weightlifting, while others left sport entirely. After losing at the 1974 international tournament “Georg Tenno Memorial”, Vladimir Dubinin withdrew from bodybuilding for thirteen years and cut off all contact with the bodybuilding world.

INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LITHUANIAN SSR

Following a meeting in Lithuanian SSR bodybuilding in 1973, during which Juozas Jusevičius was removed from leadership through unfair voting, control of bodybuilding in Lithuania for decades was taken over by Romanas Kalinauskas, along with his close associates from Kaunas, Aleksandras Novikovas and Ramučis Kairaitis.

After the ban on the sport, bodybuilding in Klaipėda developed along its own unique path. There was no one to follow as an example. Former city bodybuilding leader Antanas Jonuškutis left Klaipėda, and those who wished to continue training scattered into the basements of residential buildings.

UNDERGROUND ACTIVITY

In 1972, after enrolling at Vilnius State University, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras gathered activists from all underground bodybuilding clubs in the capital and organized strength competitions in Vilnius in the autumn of 1973. Due to fear of risk, not all clubs participated.

In 1973, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras organized competitions for the remaining Klaipėda bodybuilders in the basement of an old abandoned prison. In 1974, he held an underground tournament, the “Amber Prix International”, in a bomb shelter of the Klaipėda Sea Trade Port.

In 1975, the “Amber Prix” was secretly organized in a Klaipėda secondary school. In 1976, the event became public and took place in the Telšiai Cultural Palace. In 1977, despite the ban, two public tournaments were held, including the “Amber Prix,” at the Klaipėda Sea Trade Port Cultural Palace.

The halls were full of spectators.

Similar developments took place in other cities of the Lithuanian SSR and across other Soviet republics. Everyone feared persecution and operated in secrecy.

OTHER REPUBLICS

During the ban period, the “Vilnius Bodybuilding School” operated under the cover of the “Dinamo” sports society, led by:

Česlavas Tamulevičius (1945–2023) Vitalijus Asovskis (1952–2026)

However, it remained largely inactive in organizing contests, waiting for better times.

In the Latvian SSR, there were no active organizers during this period.

In the Estonian SSR, Innar Mardo managed to convince the government that bodybuilding, based on traditions of strongmen and wrestlers, could be considered a “national sport.” His ideas received official support and from time to time “Georg Tenno Momoroal” was organized in Tallinn.

Apart from this, there were no other prominent figures in the U.S.S.R. actively organizing events in defiance of the ban—only isolated organizers in the Baltic States continued their activities.

CZECHOSLOVAKIA AND INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS

In 1975, bodybuilding in the Czechoslovak SSR was led by Vojtech Fiala. Through personal connections, he arranged for a national delegation to attend the I.F.B.B. European Championship, where Petr Stach became the overall winner. This was a remarkable achievement during the period when bodybuilding was banned in socialist countries.

That same year, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras worked in Prague through a university exchange program and met Vojtech Fiala. The Czechoslovaks showed strong interest in Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, as he was the only bodybuilder from the U.S.S.R. to visit their country after the ban. Seeking to strengthen their standing with their political authorities, they used their relationship with Dr. Edmundas Daubaras to demonstrate “strong ties” with the U.S.S.R..

At the same time, in an effort to understand the situation of bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R., Czechoslovak officials contacted Gennadij Baldin. He replied that he was no longer involved, as bodybuilding had been suppressed and persecuted. In practice, only isolated organizers in the Baltic States continued activity.

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WE ARE PREPARING COMMEMORATE 60-TH ANNIVERSARY OF LEGENDARY TOURNMENT.

THE “AMBER PRIX INTERNATIONAL”. The book.

The “Amber Prix” (“Amber Prix International”, «Янтарный приз», 1968–2026) tournament is a living reflection of history, recalling a time when it was an important part of the Socialist world of sport, and today it unites the global bodybuilding community.

According to long-standing sporting traditions, among international competitions the “Amber Prix” ranks third in terms of continuity and historical significance—after N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) Mr. Universe (held since 1950) and JOE WEIDER’S Mr. Olympia (held since 1965).

Over the decades, athletes from many countries who have participated in this tournament take pride in their “Amber Prix” achievements, considering them among the most significant in their sporting careers.

As the tournament approaches its 60-th anniversary, a book is being prepared and will be presented to participants and guests of the 2027 event. Preparatory work on the publication is already underway.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF “AMBER PRIX”.

In the international history of the “Amber Prize,” several particularly important moments stand out:

The rise and the first tournaments – the initial stage during which the competition’s traditions were formed. 1973: the ban and persecution of bodybuilding – a difficult period for the sport. 1973–1978: illegal competitions organized by Dr. Edmundas Daubaras – a stage crucial for the survival of bodybuilding. Dr. Edmundas Daubaras’ struggle with the authorities against the ban on bodybuilding. Dr. Edmundas Daubaras’ petition to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the U.S.S.R. in Moscow, defending the legitimacy of bodybuilding. 1989–1991: Dr. Edmundas Daubaras’ struggle for independence in Lithuanian sport, carried out in the context of the “Amber Prize.” 2007: the 40-th anniversary of the tournament – the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania voted to fund the event from the state budget. 2011: recognition by the Vatican – a high evaluation of Dr. Edmundas Daubaras’ activities during the period of the bodybuilding ban. 2017: the 50-th anniversary of the tournament – a report about the event was broadcast by the global CNN television network. Since 2010, the “Amber Prize” logo has been used in competitions in Europe, Asia and South America. HISTORY OF THE “AMBER PRIX”. ORIGINS.

Prior to the prohibition of bodybuilding as a sport, it experienced rapid growth in popularity and widespread development. At a time when humanity was reaching outer space and exploring the depths of the oceans, bodybuilding offered a unique avenue for the transformation and enhancement of the human physique. The achievements of bodybuilders were extensively covered in the press, and competitions were frequently broadcast on television.

STRENGTH EXERCISES IN THE “AMBER PRIX”.

It is well known that from 1947 to 1969, official International bodybuilding was governed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) - recognized federation, the Fédération Internationale Haltérophile et Culturiste (F.I.H.C.). During this period, bodybuilding was closely associated with weightlifting in many countries.

In fact, the development of global bodybuilding through the F.I.H.C. federation was significantly influenced by the so-called “father of American weightlifting,” Robert Collins Hoffman (1898–1985). He was one of the most important figures in mid-20th century strength sports: he founded the “York Barbell Company”, published the magazine “Strength & Health”, and played an active role in promoting both weightlifting and bodybuilding in the United States and internationally.

At the time, the F.I.H.C. governed both weightlifting and bodybuilding. Although Hoffman was not always its formal head, his authority and organizational activity had a substantial impact on the federation’s decisions and on the overall development of these sports.

Accordingly, in the Soviet Union, bodybuilding was administered under the supervision of the weightlifting federation, and strength events were a mandatory component of competitions.

Over the more than sixty-year history of the “Amber Prize” tournament, strength exercises—alongside the physique presentation program—were included only during specific periods: 1967–1970, 1974–1976, and 1979.

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