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 TELEGRAMMS

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 taht 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 Governmemt 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 telegramms. The archieves of the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International are really rich and big. Only now the telegramms were found. During the 2026 visit to the President Republic Lithuania Professor Dr. VYTAUTAS LANDSBERGIS DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS presented him the telegramms.

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

WORLD BODYBUILDING ENCYCLOPEDIA.

1970 – 1980 BEST U.S.S.R. BODYBUILDERS.

BEGINNING.

Working on the „World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia“ («Энциклопедией всемирного культуризма», „Pasaulinė kultūrizmo enciklopedija“) we are analysing lots of historic happenings and facts. Today we can list five bodybuilders of the U.S.S.R. who were most famous since 1970 until 1980. That were representing famous „Vilnius Bodybuilding School“ LEONAS PIVORIUNAS (his trainer was CESLAV TAMULEVIC, 1946 - 2021), VLADIMIR DUBININ (Владимир Дубинин, R.S.F.S.R., Leningrad, was training himself), representing „Vilnius Bodybuilding School“ PRANAS MURAUSKAS ((his trainer was CESLAV TAMULEVIC) and two Estonians - OLEV ANNUS and INDREK OTSUS. Both were trained by INNAR MARDO (1945 – 2002).

The Article will be continued and we will speak about each of the mentioned above Athletes. Follow International Page www.wff.lt

WORLD‘S BEST PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES.

World Fitness Federation (W.F.F. - International)
World Bodybuilding Federation (W.B.B.F. - International)
PRO UNIVERSE
Over All Winners
(2010-2025)

MEN
Year, Competitors Name, Country.

2025 MICKAEL LOUVEL, France

2024 RAHUL JOSHI, India

2023 MAROSZ KANASZ, Slovakia

2022 DMITRIJ ANTONOV, Russia

2021 ROMAN POLSHIN, Estonia

2020 MICHAIL MALEK, Russia

2019 NIKOLAJ VOROBJOV, Russia

2018 RAHUL JOSHI, India
2017 JOHN LESLIE, South Africa
2016 MAROS KANASZ, Slovakia
2015 ANDREJ RUMIANCEV, Estonia
2014 ANDRZEJ RAK, Poland
2013 ANDRZEJ BRZEZINSKI, Poland
2012 JEVGENIJ KLOCKOV, Russia
2011 ALI IMANI, Iran
2010 ALEKSANDR SEVCOV, Estonia

WOMEN
Year, Competitors Name, Country.

2025 JELENA IVANOVA, Latvia

2024 SVETLANA PUGACHEVA, Russia

2023 ANNA SOBOLEWSKA KUCHARSKA, Poland

2022 MARIA SIVKOVA, Russia

2021 HANNA SKYTTA, Finland

2020 MARINA VLASOVA, Russia

2019 HANNA SKYTTA, Finland

2018 ASTA BUTKUTE, Lithuania
2017 SVETLANA PUGACHEVA, Russia
2016 YAMILA TOLEDO, Argentina
2015 JULIJA GLAZYCEVA, Russia
2014 VALENTINA KOZLOVSKAJA, Belarus
2013 DALVANIZA AQUINO, Brazil
2012 JOLANTA MILERIUTE, Lithuania
2011 CRECKY CHAVES, Brazil
2010 LIUDMILA KOLESNIKOVA, Russia

W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Secretary International Ugne Raudyte Daubariene

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

The 1978 "Amber Prix" Tournament – A Part of World Sports History Forgotten Truths

The 1978 Amber Prix International ("Amber Prix", "Янтарный приз"), held in Klaipėda, occupies a unique place not only in the history of Lithuanian bodybuilding but also in the history of bodybuilding throughout the Eastern Bloc. The event took place at a time when bodybuilding had been officially banned in the U.S.S.R. since 1973, and both athletes and organizers were subjected to continuous administrative pressure.

Despite these restrictions, the tournament's organizer, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, chose not to accept the ban but to challenge it through active initiatives. In 1977, when Soviet authorities intensified measures against bodybuilding, most organizers throughout the U.S.S.R. withdrew from any public efforts to defend the sport. Dr. Daubaras remained one of the very few who openly continued this struggle.

The 1977 Amber Prix tournament became a rehearsal for an even more ambitious undertaking. Although the competition lacked official governmental approval, the event in Klaipėda attracted a full audience, demonstrating that bodybuilding had retained strong public support despite the official prohibition.

Preparing for the 1978 tournament, Dr. Daubaras drafted a petition defending bodybuilding and personally delivered it in Moscow to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, 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 national newspapers Pravda and Izvestia. The purpose of the petition was to defend bodybuilding and to create conditions under which competitions could once again be organized.

Following these efforts, the 1978 Amber Prix tournament was held in Klaipėda. Dr. Daubaras went even further by presenting the event under the symbolism of the U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Championships. Such a decision involved considerable risk, since no official bodybuilding championships were being organized in the Soviet Union at that time.

A Unique Competition Stage

An analysis of photographs from bodybuilding competitions held throughout the Soviet Union between 1965 and 1978 shows that the stage design of the 1978 Amber Prix was unmatched in both scale and artistic execution.

At the center of the stage stood a monumental decoration depicting three-time Mr. Olympia Frank Zane against the outline of the map of the Soviet Union, accompanied by the inscription "U.S.S.R. Championship." Along both sides of the stage stood the flags of all fifteen Soviet republics. The medals, diplomas, and trophies also bore the inscription "U.S.S.R. Championship."

No previous bodybuilding competition in the Soviet Union had displayed such symbolism or such an ambitious stage presentation.

Organized Without Government Support

The tournament received neither government funding nor commercial sponsorship.

The entire organizational effort rested on Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, members of his family, and athletes from his sports club. Visiting competitors were accommodated at the Railway Workers' Pioneer Camp in Giruliai before the beginning of the summer season.

The enormous stage backdrop was sewn by Dr. Daubaras' mother-in-law, while Belarusian artist Oleg Isaev created its artistic design according to Dr. Daubaras' concept. The trophies were secretly manufactured after working hours by Klaipėda bodybuilder Oleg Serov, while the medals and diplomas were produced by employees of the Klaipėda Art Combine. Most organizational expenses were paid personally by Dr. Daubaras.

International Recognition

In 2011, during an official reception at the Vatican, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, President of the World W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. Federation, presented the federation's activities to representatives of the Holy See.

During his meeting with Cardinal Jozef Tomko, the discussion focused on the history of bodybuilding under Soviet rule. Dr. Daubaras' efforts to defend the banned sport were recognized as a significant example of civic resistance to the restrictions imposed by the communist regime.

In recognition of his contribution to the development of health promotion and professional sport, Dr. Daubaras was awarded the Official Medal of the Pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI.

Conclusions

The 1978 Amber Prix tournament represented far more than a sporting competition. It became a public demonstration that the bodybuilding movement in the Soviet Union had survived despite its official prohibition.

The event proved that, even under conditions of centralized political control, it was possible to organize an international-level competition based on personal initiative, voluntary work, and the solidarity of the bodybuilding community.

From a historical perspective, the tournament marks one of the earliest successful public attempts to restore bodybuilding to organized sporting life in the Soviet Union. Its organizational scale, symbolic significance, and international character justify recognizing the 1978 Amber Prix as an important event in the history of world bodybuilding.

Further research based on archival documents, contemporary press sources, and international comparative studies may provide an even more comprehensive assessment of the tournament's place in twentieth-century sports history.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt

W.F.F. – International / W.B.B.F. – International

International Amateur "UNIVERSE" Championship

Overview of Overall Winners

(2000–2026)

During the twenty-seven-year period from 2000 to 2026, the W.F.F. – International / W.B.B.F. – International Amateur "UNIVERSE" Championship has established itself as one of the world's most prestigious events in amateur bodybuilding, fitness, and aerobic fitness. The results achieved over these years reflect not only the highest level of athletic excellence but also the significant contribution of many nations to the development of these sports.

Throughout this period, Overall Winner titles were won by athletes representing more than twenty countries from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The highest number of victories was achieved by athletes from Russia, while Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, Argentina, and Slovakia also ranked among the most successful nations. In recent years, Lithuania and Poland have emerged as the leading countries in the Championship.

In the Men's Overall category, Alexander Nevsky (Russia–USA) achieved an exceptional record by winning the Overall Champion title three consecutive times (2010–2012). This remains a unique achievement in the history of the Amateur "UNIVERSE" Championship.

In the Women's Overall category, Marina Burinskaja (Latvia), Yamila Vanessa Toledo (Argentina), and Olga Bogacz (Poland) each won two Overall titles. Olga Bogacz became the most recent repeat champion by securing consecutive victories in 2025 and 2026.

In the Aerobic Fitness Overall category, Jolanta Mileriūtė (Lithuania) and Alina Olefirenko (Ukraine) each captured the Overall title twice, becoming the most successful athletes in this discipline.

Lithuanian athletes have demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the history of the Championship. During the 2000–2026 period, they won Overall titles in all three divisions—Men, Women, and Aerobic Fitness. Particularly impressive were the recent achievements: Gintarė Staliulionytė won the Aerobic Fitness Overall title in 2024, Marija Steponavičiūtė in 2023, Akvilė Šarkaitė in 2022, Karina Radziabova in 2021, and Piotr Ševčenko became the Men's Overall Champion in 2026. These results confirm the strength of the Lithuanian bodybuilding and fitness school and its ability to prepare athletes capable of competing successfully at the highest international level.

The 2026 Championship once again confirmed the dominance of the Baltic States and Poland. The Overall Champions were Piotr Ševčenko (Lithuania), Olga Bogacz (Poland), and Weronika Schreiber (Poland). Their victories reflect the current trends in international amateur bodybuilding and fitness and demonstrate the growing competitiveness of athletes from this region.

Conclusions

During the period from 2000 to 2026, the Amateur "UNIVERSE" Championship maintained its position as one of the most prestigious international events in amateur bodybuilding, fitness, and aerobic fitness. Overall Champions represented more than twenty countries, demonstrating the truly international character and global reach of W.F.F. – International and W.B.B.F. – International. Although Russian athletes accumulated the highest number of Overall titles, the last decade has clearly been marked by the rapid rise of Lithuania, Poland, and the other Baltic countries. Alexander Nevsky remains the only athlete in Championship history to win the Men's Overall title three consecutive times. Lithuanian athletes have established an outstanding legacy within W.F.F. – International / W.B.B.F. – International by consistently winning Overall titles across different divisions and strengthening the international prestige of the organization. The results of the 2026 Championship confirm that the Baltic States and Poland are currently among the strongest regions in international amateur bodybuilding and fitness.

INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR "UNIVERSE" CHAMPIONSHIP

OVERALL WINNERS

(2000–2026)

Year

Men Overall Winner

Women Overall Winner

Aerobic Fitness Overall Winner

2026

Piotr Ševčenko (Lithuania)

Olga Bogacz (Poland)

Weronika Schreiber (Poland)

2025

Toru Fukutomi (Japan)

Olga Bogacz (Poland)

Nina Jachimkowska (Poland)

2024

Maris Sveiduks (Latvia)

Jelena Bitineva (Latvia)

Gintarė Staliulionytė (Lithuania)

2023

Aleksej Lapsin (Estonia)

Anna Sobolewska Kucharska (Poland)

Marija Steponavičiūtė (Lithuania)

2022

Dmitrij Antonov (Russia)

Marija Sivkova (Russia)

Akvilė Šarkaitė (Lithuania)

2021

Roman Polshin (Estonia)

Hanna Skytta (Finland)

Karina Radziabova (Lithuania)

2020

Michail Malek (Russia)

Olesia Kondratova (Vietnam)

Alisa Klimova (Russia)

2019

Nikolaj Vorobjov (Russia)

Alisa Klimova (Russia)

Farreyra Maryangeles (Argentina)

2018

Golap Rabha (India)

Evelina Stulginskaitė (Lithuania)

Nerina Broggia (Argentina)

2017

Freddy Gaston Van Puenbroeck (Belgium)

Willeke Marles Hoornaert (Belgium)

Julija Gerasimova (Russia)

2016

Marosz Kanas (Slovakia)

Yamila Vanessa Toledo (Argentina)

Marieta Zigalova (Slovakia)

2015

Andrej Rumiancev (Estonia)

Julia Glazyceva (Russia)

Nikola Szydlowska (Poland)

2014

Andrzej Rak (Poland)

Valentina Kozlovskaja (Belarus)

Viktoria Kildiashova-Rang (Russia)

2013

Andrzej Brzezinski (Poland)

Dalvaniza Aquino (Brazil)

Miriam Zigalova (Slovakia)

2012

Alexander Nevsky (Russia–USA)

Yamila Vanessa Toledo (Argentina)

Julija Grisanova (Belarus)

2011

Alexander Nevsky (Russia–USA)

Fernanda Youglar (Argentina)

Klaudija Korpan (Poland)

2010

Alexander Nevsky (Russia–USA)

Tracey Lee Gottschalk (South Africa)

Alina Olefirenko (Ukraine)

2009

Aleksandr Vladimirov (England–Lithuania)

Irina Valette Fedoruk (France)

Lenka Borutova Cervena (Czech Republic)

2008

Dayo Audi (England)

Fernandez Alexandra Ximena Aguiar (Uruguay)

Alina Olefirenko (Ukraine)

2007

Roman Dubovickij (Russia)

Irina Riabova (Russia)

Zaneta Balsewicz (Poland)

2006

Rosalia Dutra de Campos* (Argentina)

Antonio Osta* (Uruguay)

Silvia Malachovska (Slovakia)

2005

Aleksandr Baldin (Russia)

Rachel Kauppila (Finland)

Jolanta Mileriūtė (Lithuania)

2004

Konstantin Zacharov (Russia)

Marina Burinskaja (Latvia)

Jana Vodickova (Czech Republic)

2003

Jurij Karsetjan (Latvia)

Ripert Marie-Pierre Dominique (France)

Sirvanian Renata Kevork (Bulgaria)

2002

Franco Carlotto (Switzerland)

Irina Zincenko (Russia)

Julija Kukina (Latvia)

2001

Mindaugas Kvasys (Lithuania)

Svetlana Pugacheva (Russia)

Jolanta Mileriūtė (Lithuania)

2000

Massimo Monaco (Italy)

Marina Burinskaja (Latvia)

Romina Paoli (Italy)

More information is on international site www.wff.lt