78 YEARS OF WORLD BODYBUILDING SPORT.

66 YEARS OF SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING.

BEGINNING.

Until now official World and Socialist bodybuilding history is presented as a mistake. The basis of the history is uncorrect. It is a mistake when we use to say that bodybuilders built and developed sport of bodybuilding. No, not bodybuilders. Bodybuilders were training and participating at the competitions only. Do winning bodybuilders developed sport anyhow? No, not at all. For bodybuilders somebody else had to organize competitions, to get permittions, support, venue places, awards and to collect participants. To say more – somebody had to publicize information about contests and bodybuilders. Otherwise until now nobody would even hear anything about a single bodybuilder.

All bodybuilding organizations, federations were created not by bodybuilders. Organizations were created by functioneers and organizers. During the history of bodybuilding sport there were only few Internationally important persons - organizers. Organizers are the main persons of bodybuilding sport. We will speak shortly in this article. Anyway it will be a long story to put it down.

BEGINNING OF BODYBUILDING SPORT.

As we have spoken before we will present only short information. Each our story can be developed into a long article. For detailed information look on International Site www.wff.lt

Contemporary N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) history writer SI SWEENEY in his articles even does not mention the real first “Mr. Universe” contest. Also he writes incorrect information about the second “Mr. Universe” competition.

The same do writers who write about the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) history. These they underline that there was nothing before the WEIDER brothers JOE and BEN I.F.B.B. Commercial Company. They neglect the previous BOB HOFFMAN’s (Robert Collins Hoffman, 1898 - 1985 m.) “Bodybuilding Empire” which WEIDER brothers copied from beginning to the very end.

Many people want to rise themselves and they create unreal stories. Next followers use their creations and go on developing them.

1947. FIRST “MR. UNIVERSE” CONTEST.

The first real “Bodybuilding Empire” was created through the A.A.U. (Amateur Athletic Union)  in the USA by American BOBO HOFFMAN. In real A.A.U. united USA National Federations and it was the Ministry of Sport in the USA. They use to call BOBO HOFFMAN “the father of America Weightlifting”. A.A.U. since 1939 was organizing USA bodybuilding “Mr. America” contests. BOB HOFFMAN wanted to make bodybuilding an official recognized sport through A.A.U. and F.I.H. (Federation Internationale Halterophile). USA weightlifting though A.A.U. was a member of the International Weightlifting Federation F.I.H. Later F.I.H. name was changed to F.I.H.C. (F.I.H.C., Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturisme) when F.I.H. started ruling World’s bodybuilding sport. BOB HOFFMAN decided to do the same with bodybuilding.

In 1947 F.I.H. organized the World Weightlifting Championship and International Congress in Philadelphia (USA). Under the efforts of BOB HOFFMAN the International Congress decided to lead and control World’s bodybuilding on official level. This way for twenty years bodybuilding became officially recognized sport. It was immediately decided to organize the first in Sport’s History International Bodybuilding “Mr. Universe” contest alongside with the F.I.H. World Weightlifting Championship in Philadelphia. Then the Over All “Mr. Universe” Champion was a pupil of BOB HOFFMAN a famous America weightlifter STEVE STANKO. That was a Historical Happening and STEVE STANKO became a Historical Person.

1948. SECOND “MR. UNIVERSE’ IN LONDON.

It was a tradition of F.I.H. not to organize World Weightlifting Championship in “Olympic” years. What to do with the second F.I.H. bodybuilding „Mr. Universe“ comprtition? Then the idea to organize the F.I.H. bodybuilding “Mr. Universe” during the 1948 “Olympic Games” struck BOB HOFFMAN. There were real ways because F.I.H. was a member of the International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.). BOB HOFFMAN addressed British OSCAR STATE who was the President of B.A.W.L.A. (British Amateur Weight Lifting Association) to assist him. At the same time B.A.W.L.A. asked the Chairmen of the British Bodybuilding “Health and Strength” Magazine to assist them too. Through F.I.H. departments in various countries B.A.W.L.A. invited athletes to the contest in London. At the same time BOB HOFFMAN brought USA bodybuilders to compete. There were 1800 spectators at the second F.I.H. “Mr. Universe” in London. All money profit of the competition went to B.A.W.L.A.. After several preliminary rounds the finalists were ANDRE DRAPP (France) and Americans JOHN GRIMEK and STEVE REEVES. JOHN GRIMEK was proclaimed the Over All Winner of the second F.I.H. “Mr. Universe”. STEVE REEVES spoke on microphone saying that “John Grimek is the greatest bodybuilder who ever lived“.

1950. FIRST N.A.B.B.A. “MR. UNIVERSE”.

In 1950 under the efforts of the Chairmen of “Health and Strength” Magazine N.A.B.B.A. association was created in the Great Britain. As the former N.A.B.B.A. President  IVAN DUNBAR told us – N.A.B.B.A. Association was juridically registered as a „Public Club“. In 1950 N.A.B.B.A. organized the first “Mr. Universe” in London. The Over All Champion was STEVE REEVES (USA). At the same time a member of the International Olympic Committee F.I.H.C. went on organizing it’s own “Mr. Universe” contest. Comparing with N.A.B.B.A. “Mr. Universe” F.I.H.C. competitions were the official ones. For the two decades no one could confront F.I.H.C. as the official Bodybuilding Sport was under F.I.H.C. control. Even the Commercial I.F.B.B. Company of the WEIDER  brothers JOE and BEN could not imagine to think being equal to F.I.H.C..

THE STORY WILL BE CONTINUED.

Those who are interested in detailed sport history – welcome to our Internet Site. We will publish the article in parts as it will take time. FACEBOOK does not allow long texts. For detailed information read International Site www.wff.lt

ALL TRADITIONAL BODYBUILDING FEDERATIONS

WORLD AMATEUR RANKING LIST

(Since 1898, All Traditional Federations;

only first 50 places of 12000 Athletes;

Counting only Official Recognized Contests;

Results presented after 2025 "Olympia" and World Championship).

WOMEN

Competitor's Name Country Points Place

KYLE IRIS USA 208 1

ORIGUEN YAXENI GARCIA Venezuela 206 2

PUGACHEVA SVETLANA Russia 203 3

LASZEWSKI DEBI USA 185 4

MURRAY LENDA USA 180 5

CREAVALLE LAURA USA 179 6

LEGENZOVA MARINA Lithuania 178 7

LEWIS NANCY USA 177 8

IVANOVA JELENA Latvia 176 9

DEBATIN ANGELA USA 175 10

BERGMANN JULIETTE Holland 174 11

RAGANOT BRENDA USA 172 12

RICHARDSON DENISE USA 171 13

BUCK KIM USA 171 13

AUKLAND LISA USA 171 13

PARISO BETTY USA 169 14

CADEAU DAYANA USA 169 14

BLECK SHEILA USA 169 14

ROSA GIOVANNA Italy 168 15

FOSTER HEATHER USA 168 15

SKYTTA HANNA KRISTINA Finland 167 16

DUNLAP CARLA USA 167 16

COLOMB TAZZIE USA 167 16

POVILIONIENE VILMA Lithuania 166 17

LEFRANCOIS CATHY Canada 166 17

BUTLER CATHY USA 164 18

CHIZEVSKI KIM USA 162 19

EDWARDS ROXANNE USA 161 20

BRAMWELL DEBBIE USA 160 21

EVERSON CORINA USA 157 22

DENNIS DIANA USA 156 23

BREZOVAC BRIGITA Slovenia 156 23

BUTLER CORISH CATHY USA 153 24

MILERIUTE JOLANTA Lithuania 152 25

ANTONELLA LIZZA Italy 152 25

BELLO MARIA RITA USA 151 26

PEREZ SUSANNA Spain 150 27

MONIQUE JOHNES USA 150 27

MONER GAYLE USA 150 27

GROF BRIGITTA Hungary 150 27

WACHTER BETH USA 149 28

FLOYD CASSANDRA USA 149 28

LANKOWSKI JANEEN Canada 148 29

PAPPAS BINNIE USA 147 30

POPA ALINA USA-Greece 146 31

FRIC MARTINA Slovakia 146 31

SLAYTON LINDA USA 143 32

CHEPIGA VALENTINA Ukraine 143 32

TOLEDO YAMILA VANESSA Argentina 138 33

OTTENAD LORA USA 137 34

GAILLARD JUDY USA 137 34

DEKSNE MARIA Latvia 137 34

SCOTT MARY UK 136 35

KOZLOVSKAJA VALENTINA Belarus 135 35

MARTINKOVA EVA Slovakia 134 36

BALL NICOLE Canada 134 36

VAN MARIS ELLEN Holland 133 37

SMITH SHERRY USA 133 37

KUKRES SOROKINA ALEKSANDRA Lithuania 129 38

ZIGALOVA MARIETTA Slovakia 126 39

URBANIAK AGNIESZKA Poland 126 39

PIGEONNEAU JOCELYN France 126 39

TICHONOVA OLGA Russia 125 40

SHPORTUN ELENA Russia 125 40

LINSEY ZOA Canada 125 40

PRIEST BONNIE USA 124 41

LOPULESA INA Holland 122 42

KAUFMAN JANET USA 122 42

JENNINGS ROSEMARY USA 122 42

MUHLHAUS CLAUDIA Germany 121 43

LOPEZ MONIKA USA 121 43

NELSON COLETTE USA 120 44

MASINO DENISE USA 120 44

GIOVANNA ROSA Italy 120 44

SELIN MARJO Finland 119 45

FREITAS ANNE USA 119 45

RIPERT MARIE-PIERRE France 116 46

WESTERFIELD DENA USA 115 47

TURELL ISABELLE USA 115 47

GREFFEL LEONOR HILARIO Denmark-Mozambique 115 47

PEREZ KIMBERLY Canada 114 48

BLANCHETTE ANDRULA USA 114 48

TECH JANET USA 111 49

MCKEEN ANN SUE USA 111 49

KERNES DORIT USA 111 49

WEEKE SABINE Germany 110 50

GROZAJOVA AURELIA USA 110 50

GRISHINA OKSANA Russia 110 50

International Secretary Ugne Raudyte Daubariene

W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International Since 1968.
2025 AUTUMN MEGA INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
(October 4, 2025, Nida Resort, Republic Lithuania)
195 Competitors from Japan, France, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Ireland, Ukraine.
Event Honour Persons: U.N.E.S.C.O. Award Holder W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International Vice President DARIUS DAUBARAS, Nida Resort Official SIMAS SURVILA.
FINAL RESULTS
26-th „UNIVERSE“
Amateur Women‘s Over All Winner OLGA BOGACZ (Poland)
Amateur Men‘s Over All Winner TORU FUKUTOMI (Japan)
Professional Women‘s Over All Winner JELENA IVANOVA (Latvia)
Professional Men‘s Over All Winner MICKAEL LOUVEL (France)
Over All Champion „Fit-Kid“ Fitness EWA DZIUBA (Poland)
Over All Champion Aerial Fitness EMILE PRUNSKUTE (Lithuania)
Over All Champion Mini Trampoline Fitness JULIA STICHINSKA (Latvia)
Over All Champion Pole Dance Fitness KETLIN SAINAS (Estonia)
Over All Champion Senior Categories VIDMANTAS MALAKAUSKAS (Lithuania)
8 years „Fit-Kid“ Category Winner MAJA KROL (Poland)
10 years „Fit-Kid“ Category Winner GABI POTACZEK (Poland)
12 years „Fit-Kid“ Category Winner LENA SNIEG (Poland)
14 years „Fit-Kid“ Category Winner EWA DZIUBA (Poland)
16 years Junior Category Winner SONIA GILEWSKA (Poland)
18 years Junior Category Winner NINA JACHIMKOWSKA (Poland)
21 years Junior Category Winner MILENA MLYNARCZYK (Poland)
Category „Duets“ Winners ZUZANA MAZIARSKA, SONIA GILEWSKA (Poland)
Category „Groups“ Winners ALICJA NALEWAJKO, NATALIA SADOWNIK, ZAZANNA MAZIARSKA, NINA JACHIMOKWSKA, JADWIGA WIAZOWSKA, ALEKSANDRA FEDOROWICZ, SONIA GILEWSKA (Poland)
AERIAL FITNESS
HOOP
Debut Category Winner ELIA BUDRECKYTE (Lithuania)
8 years Beginner Category Winner LUKNE MEDINGYTE (Lithuania)
10 years Beginner Category Winner AUSTEJA CAIKOVSKYTE (Lithuania)
12 years Beginner Category Winner EGITA PETROSIUTE (Lithuania)
14 years Beginner Category Winner IEVA JONUSAITE (Lithuania)
ADVANCED HOOP
8 years Category Winner  JAGODA GALAS (Poland)
10 years Category Winner AKVILE KORCIAGINAITE (Lithuania)
12 years Category Winner NORA TOMSON (Estonia)
14 years Category Winner UGNE KOTRYNA KAMINSKAITE(Lithuania)
16 years Junior Category Winner, Over All Advanced Hoop Champion  MARIANA STILHA (Lithuania)
18 years Junior Category Winner REBEKA KASK (Estonia)
21 years Junior Category Winner LISETTE SAAREMETS (Estonia)
Over 21 years Category Winner ALINA PINTSUK (Estonia)
Senior Category Winner GABRIELE KORCIAGINIENE (Lithuania)
Men‘s Advanced Hoop Over All Winner EDVARDAS KORCIAGINAS (Lithuania)
PROFESSIONAL HOOP
10 years Category Winner SMILTE LAUCEVICIUTE (Lithuania)
18 years Category Winner LISANDRA KAARMA (Estonia)
Duets Hoop Category Winners MARIA RADCENKO, SOFIA BONDARENKO (Lithuania)
HAMMOCK
BEGINNER HAMMOCK
10 years Category Winner KEIRA TOMSON (Estonia)
12 years Category Winner RETI SOPP (Estonia)
21 years Category Winner KETLIN SAINAS (Estonia)
ADVANCED HAMMOCK
10 years Categorry Winner ANTONINA ROBAK (Poland)
12 years Category Winner, Over All Hammock Champion SOFI ANETTE ELISSAAR (Estonia)
18 years Category Winner LISANDRA KAARMA (Estonia)
Beginner Duets Hammock Category Winners SOFI ANETTE ELISSAAR, SARAH LOREEN KIVIKAS (Estonia)
Advanced Duets Hammock Category Winners BRIT NOMM, KRISTI REILENT (Estonia)
SILKS
BEGINNERS SILKS
8 years Category Winner OLIWIA CHWEJ (Poland)
12 years Category Winner VERONIKA SKINDER (Lithuania)
ADVANCED SILKS
8 years Category Winner MAJA KROL (Poland)
12 years Category Winner KOTRYNA DUDONYTE (Lithuania)
14 years Category Winner TEJA JONAITYTE (Lithuania)
16 years Junior Category Winner, Advanced Silks Aver All Champion EMILE PRUNSKUTE (Lithuania)
MINI TRAMPOLINE
SOLO CATEGORIES
8 years Category Winner  MIRABELLA MARIA KORABOVSKA (Latvia)
40 years Category Winner MARIA KORABOVSKA (Latvia)
50 years Category Winner JULIJA STICHINSKA (Latvia)
GROUPS CATEGORIES
TRIO
Category Winners DANGUOLE JOCIUVIENE, KATRINA VICENTE FREIRE, AURELIJA PETRIKIENE (Lithuania)
Sixtet Category Winners DANGUOLE JOCIUVIENE, ANZELINA PAPIEVIENE, ERIKA BRACKIENE, KATRINA VICENTE FREIRE, AURELIJA PETRIKIENE, NORGALE VERBAITE
Ten Competitors Category Winners OLESIA ZIBENKO, TAISIJA MICHAILICENKO, TATJANA RANCANE, SIGITE RIBA, VANESA SVILPE, MAIRITA MATUSEVICA, INESE SIDORIKA, MARINA PJANOVA, NATALJA SOKOLENKO, MARIJA KORABOVSKA
POLE DANCE FITNESS
AMATEURS
12 years Category Winner NORA TOMSON (Estonia)
Category Over 21 years Winner PAULA NOREIKAITE (Lithuania)
SEMI – PRO
12 years Category Winner SIFI ANTETTE ELISSAAR (Estonia)
18 years Category Winner and Over All Champion KETLIN SAINAS (Estonia)
MODEL FITNESS
Junior Category Winner MILENA MLYNARCZYK (Poland)
Debut Category Winner LIUDMILA RAMANAUSKIENE (Lithuania)
165 cm. Category Winner OLGA BOGACZ (Poland)
Masters Category Winner LIUDMILA RAMANAUSKIENE (Lithuania)
BIKINI FITNESS
165 cm. Masters Over 40 years Category Winner YANA YAROSH (Ukraine)
175 cm. Masters Over 40 years Category Winner JELENA IVANOVA (Latvia)
175 cm. Masters Over 50 years Category Winner and Over All Champion MARINA LEGENZOVA (Lithuania)
Junior Category Winner MILENA MLYNARCZYK (Poland)
165 cm. Debut Category Winner LIUDMILA RAMANAUSKIENE (Lithuania)
175 cm. Debut Category Winner KRISTINA SKALSKIENE (Lithuania)
165 cm. Category Winner and Over All Champion OLGA BOGACZ (Poland)
175 cm. Category Winner KRISTINA SKALSKIENE (Lithuania)
180 cm. Category Winner RUGILE KALASEVICIUTE (Lithuania)
WELNESS
Welness Debut Category Winner YANA YAROSH (Ukraine)
Welness Category Winner OLGA BOGACZ (Poland)
MEN‘S PHYSIQUE
Men‘s Physique Debut Category Winner LINAS STARKUS (Lithuania)
Men‘s Physique 16 years Junior Category Winner DANIL SMIRNOV (Lithuania)
Men‘s Physique 18 years Junior Category Winner MARK STANKO (Lithuania)
170 cm. Men‘s Physique Category Winner DOMCJAN JAKOVC (Lithuania)
180 cm. Men‘s Physique Category Winner DANIL SMIRNOV (Lithuania)
190 cm. Men‘s Physique Category Winner MANTAS KAZLAUSKAS (Lithuania)
MUSCLE MODEL
Category Winner TORU FUKUTOMI (Japan)
BODY ATHLETIC
Category Winner BRANDON GABRIELIUS AUKSTUOLIS (Lithuania)
DISABLED CONTEST
General Category Winner KAMIL KOWALCZYK (Poland)
Seniors Over 40 years Category Winner GRZEGORZ DABROWSKI (Poland)
Seniors Over 50 years Category Winner MICKAEL LOUVEL (France)
BODYBUILDING
Debut Bodybuilding Category Winner BRANDON GABRIELIUS AUKSTUOLIS (Lithuania)
80 kgs. Category Winner DOMICJAN JAKOVIC (Lithuania)
90 kgs. Category Winner  BRANDON GABRIELIUS AUKSTUOLIS (Lithuania)
100 kgs. Category Winner RAIMUNDAS URBONAVICIUS (Lithuania)
70 years Masters Category Winner VIDMANTAS MALAKAUSKAS (Lithuania)
WOMEN BAYWATCH
165 cm. Debut Category Winner LIUDMILA RAMANAUSKIENE (Lithuania)
175 cm. Debut Category Winner LAURA GERASCENKO (Lithuania)
Junior Category Winner MILENA MLYNARCZYK (Poland)
165 cm. Category Winner OLGA BOGACZ (Poland)
175 cm. Category Winner LAURA GERASCENKO (Lithuania)
165 cm.  Masters Category Winner LIUDMILA RAMANAUSKIENE (Lithuania)
175 cm.  Masters Category Winner JELENA IVANOVA (Latvia)
FUGURE CLASSIC
Category Winner YANA YAROSH (Ukraine)
PROFESSIONALS
MEN
Bodybuilding Category Winner RAIMUNDAS URBONAVICIUS (Lithuania)
Disabled Category Winner KAMIL KOWALCZYK (Poland)
40 years Masters Category Winner TORU FUKUTOMI (Japan)
50 years Masters Category Winner MICKAEL LOUVEL (France)
WOMEN
Bikini Category Winner JELENA IVANOVA (Latvia)
Bikini 50 years Masters Category Winner MARINA LEGENZOVA (Lithuania)
16-th WORLD CUP
Amateur Women‘s Over All Winner MILENA MLYNARCZYK (Poland)
Amateur Men‘s Over All Winner KAMIL KOWALCZYK (Poland)
Professional Women‘s Over All Winner MARINA LEGENZOVA (Lithuania)
Professional Men‘s Over All Winner RAIMUNDAS URBANAVICIUS (Lithuania).
50-th „LITHUANIA CUP OPEN“
Over All Champion EMA SACKUTE (Lithuania)
Over All Champion  BRANDON GABRIELIUS AUKSTUOLIS (Lithuania).
JUDGES INTERNATIONAL
„Universe“ Head Judge SVETLANA PUGACHEVA
ANNA SIMSAK GODULA
VIKTORIJA KRISCIUNAITE
ALINA SUNOKAITE
MARGARITA VIAZOVKINA
GINTARE STALIULIONYTE
ALINA PELEPKO
NORMUNDS JURANS
JUZEF TAMOSEVIC – JAKOVIC
VILMA POVILONIANE
KARINA BAGAZKOVA
INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIES
W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. General International Secretary UGNE RAUDYTE DAUBARIENE (Lithuania)
RENATA PELEGRIMIENE (Lithuania)
SMILTE UTARAITE (Lithuania)
More Information is on 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.

More information is on International site www.wff.lt