WORLD BODYBUILDING HISTORY.

1981. SOCIALIST WORLD BODYBUILDING NEWS.

In 1981 bodybuilding was still prohibited in the Socialist countries. Political powers controlled illegal bodybuilding through the formal „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.») which was reset at the „U.S.S.R. Weightlifting Federation“ («Федерация тяжёлой атлетики С.С.С.Р.») in 1979. That was based on the old F.I.H.C. (F.H.C., „Federation Internationale Halterophile”) federation traditions.

The year of 1981 started with the traditional „Amber Prix International“ („Gintarinis prizas“, «Янтарный приз», 1968 – 2023) contest in Klaipeda (Lithuanian SSR). Since 1978 this contest was accepted as the „Unofficial U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Championship“ («неофициальный Чемпионат С.С.С.Р. по культуризму»). We should underline that the possibility of the public competitions in the U.S.S.R. was got only after the victorial visit of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to Moscow. Then he wrote and personally brought the bodybuilding defending petition to the highest U.S.S.R. political powers in Moscow and received permittion to organize bodybuilding contests. The category winners of the 1981 „Amber Prix International“ were  EUGENE GORELIK (Евгений Горелик, Lithuanian SSR), INDREK OTSUS (Estonian SSR), SAULIUS MISEVICIUS (Lithuanian SSR) and OLEV ANNUS (Estonian SSR). The Over All Winner was SAULIUS MISEVICIUS. There were two teams of the Estonian SSR at the competition. One was of the National Bodybuilding Federation of the Estonian SSR led by OLEV ANNUS and brothers ARRO. Another one was of INNAR MARDO. Before the contest the Secretary of the formal „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS instructed the International Judges not to alow OLEV ANNUS to win the Over All Champion‘s title again. The „U.S.S.R. Weightlifting Federation“ knew that OLEV ANNUS plans to emigrante from the U.S.S.R. to Finland. That was a terrible action of him against the Communist regime. How the Over All U.S.S.R. bodybuilding champion can do this? So OLEV ANNUS lost the title. The head Judge of the 1981 „Amber Prix International“ was a friend of OLEV ANNUS. Several days after the competition he canceled the results of „Amber Prix International“  and in official letter asked the Chairman of the formal „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ ROMAN MOROZ (Роман Мороз) to aprove his decission. ROMAN MOROZ was against the decission and the results of the contest remained unchanged. At the saame time OLEV ANNUS wrote letters to the Socialist press saying about bad judging and explaining that the results of the 1981 „Amber Prix International“ were canceled.

We have no information about 1981 intriques in the National Bodybuilding Federation of the Estonian SSR. In 1979 after the quarell OLEV ANNUS and brothers ARRO overturned INNAR MARDO (Иннар Мардо, 1946 – 2002) and took the leadership in the federation. Then ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS was supporting the replacing of INNAR MARDO. INNAR MARDO popularity among U.S.S.R. bodybuilders and the results he achieved at the contests in the Socuialist countries made mad ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS. In 1981 the „Georg Tenno Memorial“ («Мемориал Георга Тенно», 1971 - 1989) was organized in „Tallinn Olympic Pirita Centre“ (Талинский олимпийский центр Пирита») by INNAR MARDO without the National Bodybuilding Federation of the Estonian SSR. At that time the director of this centre was Lithuanian PRANAS MICKEVICIUS. In 1981 the above mentioned PRANAS MICKEVICIUS overturned OLEV ANNUS and brothers ARRO and took the leadership in the National Bodybuilding Federation of the Estonian SSR.   

In 1981 a meeting of the formal „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ («Всесоюзная комиссия атлетической гимнастики») was held in Moscow (R.S.F.S.R.). Bodybuilding was still prohibited but a number of public competitions were held in Lithuanian SSR and in the Estonian SSR. Those contests were organized with the political background. For example it was the „Comsomol Cup“ („Komjaunimo taurė», «Кубок комсомола») in Kaunas (Lithuanian SSR). As the activities of the  „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ were only formal, it was rulled by the Chairman and former R.S.F.S.R. weightlifter ROMAN MOROZ and secretary ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS. As ROMAN MOROZ was fare away from bodybuilding sport in fact the real Chairman was ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS. The meeting in Moscow made no important decisions. Only several statistic persons were changed. Among new statistic persons was one of the U.S.S.R. bodybuilding pioneers weightlifter GENADIJ BALDIN (Геннадий Балдин). ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS was inviting DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to join his work. The above mentioned meeting spoke about OLEV ANNUS letters to the Socialist Sport Press and accused him about this. The „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ prohibited OLEV ANNUS to participate at any U.S.S.R. bodybuilding competitions.
in 1981 at the International competition „Trener“ (Czechoslovakian SSR) only Estonian INDREK OTSUS represented the U.S.S.R.. He bacema the Over All Winner again.

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

WORLD BODYBUILDING ENCYCLOPEDIA.

UNIQUE HAPPENING IN WORLD SPORT HISTORY.

OFFICIAL VISIT TO VATICAN.

Working at the „World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia“ we would like to underline the unique happening in the World‘s sport history. That was the Official Visit of the President of the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International federation DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to Vatican. We will publishe a thorough article in parts. Follow the International Site  www.wff.lt   - much information, documents and pictures are already published there.

WORLD BODYBUILDING ENCYCLOPEDIA.

„LITHUANIA AMBASSADOR FOR WORLD COUNTRIES“.

In 2015 and in 2016 W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Bodybuilding Federation) was holding International events in Lithuanian Kretinga City. A number of Parliament members and representatives of the Government Republic Lithuania were present at the opening ceremony of both  events. At that time official advisor of the Prime Minister Republic Lithuania Mr. ANTANAS VINKUS was surprized by multiple representation of athletes and delegates from various Continents and Countries. There were athletes from Africa, Asia, South America and Europe at the mentioned above competitions. On the contest stage Mr. ANTANAS VINKUS named International President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS as the „Lithuania Ambassador for the World Countries“.

More information is on International Site www.wff.lt

World sport history. VILNIUS AT THE HEART OF WORLD FITNESS: THE 2004 WFF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP THAT BECAME A HISTORIC EVENT.

September 2004. Vilnius. Athletes from Europe and other parts of the world arrive in Lithuania's capital. For several days, the Vilnius Congress Palace becomes the center of the international fitness world.

This was not an ordinary international competition.

It was the WFF – World Fitness Federation – World Amateur Championship, an event that went far beyond the usual boundaries of sport. The competition involved not only athletes and coaches. High-ranking Lithuanian state officials took part in its organization, the event received support and funding from the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, and the championship attracted national media attention.

Today, more than two decades later, the 2004 WFF World Championship in Vilnius can be regarded as one of the most significant episodes in the early history of international fitness sport in Lithuania.

From 1995: The Emergence of a New International Fitness Federation

The World Fitness Federation (WFF) was established in 1995.

It was a period when international fitness sport was still searching for its organizational identity. Different countries had different sports structures, while athletes competed in various forms of physical culture, fitness, aerobics and bodybuilding.

WFF sought to bring these disciplines together within a single international system.

An important feature of the federation's history was cooperation between the sporting worlds of East and West. The federation was led by two presidents: Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, representing the Eastern countries, and German representative Klaus Hofman, representing the Western side.

This structure reflected the realities of Europe at the time – sports organizations were attempting to bring together countries that, only a short time earlier, had belonged to very different political and sporting systems.

In 2003, Klaus Hofman withdrew from active involvement in WFF, and leadership of the federation effectively became concentrated in the hands of Dr. Edmundas Daubaras.

Following the 2003 World Championship in Moscow, the next major chapter in WFF history unfolded in Vilnius.

And it was an important one.

VILNIUS 2004: WHEN A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BECAME A MATTER OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE

The World Championship held in Vilnius on September 24–27, 2004, stood out because its organization and scale went well beyond the usual format of an international sporting competition.

The chairman of the organizing committee was Gediminas Kirkilas, a member of the Lithuanian Parliament and, at the time, Minister of National Defence, who would later become Prime Minister of Lithuania.

His signatures on the championship diplomas became an official symbol accompanying the victories of the winners.

Other representatives of Lithuanian state institutions, including Dr. Rišardas Krinickis and Kęstutis Virketis, were also involved in the organizing committee.

But the most important point was not simply the names of the officials.

The championship received support and funding from the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.

Foreign athletes were provided with free accommodation and meals in Vilnius hotels.

This demonstrated that Lithuania regarded the event as an international sporting occasion of significance.

THE VILNIUS CONGRESS PALACE – A WORLD STAGE FOR ATHLETES

The championship events were held at the prestigious Vilnius Congress Palace.

Athletes arriving in Vilnius competed for world championship titles in a wide range of fitness disciplines.

This was not simply a display of muscular development.

The WFF competition system included Classic Fitness, Performance Fitness, Athletic Fitness, Super Athletic Fitness, Extreme Fitness, as well as other categories. Separate competitions were held for women and in aerobics.

Another important feature was the inclusion of wheelchair fitness categories in the championship program.

This reflected one of the fundamental characteristics of the WFF approach: fitness was viewed as a broad sporting phenomenon encompassing aesthetics, athleticism, physical conditioning and athletes with different physical abilities.

THE WORLD IN VILNIUS

The 2004 championship results reveal an impressive international geographic reach.

Athletes represented:

Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Denmark, France, Italy, Germany, Cyprus, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Norway, England, Moldova, the Netherlands, Australia and Guadeloupe.

It was a genuine international sporting gathering.

The Baltic and Eastern European countries were particularly strongly represented, while Western European and other international athletes also took part.

The championship results therefore provide more than a simple list of rankings.

They represent a snapshot of the geography of world fitness sport in 2004.

LITHUANIA – NOT A SPECTATOR, BUT ONE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP'S LEADING FORCES

One of the most striking features of the 2004 Vilnius championship is immediately apparent when examining the results:

Lithuanian athletes were everywhere.

Their names appear throughout almost every major category.

And, more importantly, this was not simply a matter of participation.

Lithuanian athletes won world championship titles and secured numerous podium finishes.

In the men's Classic Fitness Category 2, Ramūnas Sendrius became World Champion, while Olegas Gusarovas took second place.

In the Mr. Super Athletic Fitness category, Mindaugas Kvasys won the bronze medal.

In the Mr. Athletic Fitness category, Marikas Stefanovich finished seventh, while other Lithuanian athletes also achieved strong results.

In the Wheel-Chair Athletic Fitness category, Sergej Beglik became World Champion.

This is significant: Lithuania's name appeared in the championship record not merely as the host nation, but repeatedly among the winners and leading competitors.

LITHUANIAN WOMEN AMONG THE WORLD'S BEST

The achievements of Lithuanian women were equally impressive.

Jolanta Mileriūtė became World Champion in the Miss Aerobic Fitness category.

She also won second place in Miss Classic Fitness Category 1.

Aleksandra Kukreš became World Champion in Miss Aerobic Athletic.

In Miss Classic Fitness Category 2, Lithuania's Edita Diržinikaitė won silver, while Simona Šakinytė took bronze.

In Miss Performance Fitness, Laura Romeraitė won the silver medal.

In Miss Super Body Fitness, Marta Alesiūnaitė finished third, while Eglė Stasiukaitė won bronze in Miss Extreme Fitness.

Lithuanian women were therefore not merely participants in the championship.

They were among its leading international competitors.

THE OVERALL CHAMPIONS

The ultimate prize at any world championship is the overall title.

In Vilnius, the men's overall winner was Konstantin Zacharov of Russia.

He won Mr. Classic Fitness Category 1 and was declared the Men's Overall Winner.

The women's overall title went to Marina Burinskaja of Latvia, winner of Miss Extreme Fitness.

The Aerobics Overall Winner was Marija Deksne of Latvia.

Thus, in the overall standings, the strongest presence came from Russia and the Baltic region.

RESULTS THAT TELL A STORY BEYOND THE MEDALS

The results of this championship can be read as much more than a ranking table.

They tell the story of an entire sporting era.

They show that at the time:

Lithuania had a large and active fitness community; the Baltic countries were an important region within international WFF sport; Russian and Ukrainian fitness schools were particularly strong; Western European athletes were also actively involved; the WFF competition program extended well beyond traditional bodybuilding; wheelchair athletes were included in the international championship; women's fitness and aerobics were integral parts of the world championship program.

The Vilnius results can therefore be regarded as a map of world fitness sport in 2004.

THE LITHUANIAN STATE AND INTERNATIONAL SPORT

A particularly important feature of the event was the involvement of Lithuanian state institutions.

Today, international sporting events are often assessed according to sporting results, attendance figures, media coverage or television audiences.

The 2004 Vilnius championship presents a broader picture.

Representatives of state institutions participated in the organizing committee.

The event received government support.

Foreign athletes were provided with accommodation and meals.

The championship was held in a prestigious venue in the capital.

National television prepared a report on the event.

Following the championship, a press conference was held at the Lithuanian news agency ELTA, attended by Lithuanian Minister of Sports Vytas Nėnius.

This demonstrated that international fitness sport was being taken seriously in Lithuania at the time.

WHY DOES THIS CHAMPIONSHIP MATTER TODAY?

More than twenty years later, an important question remains:

Why should we remember the 2004 WFF World Championship in Vilnius?

The answer is simple.

Because it is a historical document of a period when Lithuania itself hosted a world-level fitness championship, while Lithuanian athletes were among its most active and competitive participants.

It is not merely the story of one competition.

It is the story of the people who helped build international fitness sport.

It is the story of a federation seeking to unite different sporting traditions.

It reflects the period following the Cold War, when the sporting worlds of East and West were increasingly seeking common ground.

And it is the story of Lithuania, a country that was by then capable of welcoming athletes from around the world to its capital.

THE LESSON OF VILNIUS 2004

Today, the championship protocol may appear to show nothing more than a name, a country and a ranking.

But behind every number lies a story.

First place represented years of preparation.

Second or third place represented international competition at the highest level.

And the presence of dozens of Lithuanian athletes in the results tells us something that a medal table alone cannot show: at that time, Lithuania possessed a strong and substantial fitness community.

The 2004 championship should therefore not be judged solely by who became World Champion.

A broader question should be asked:

What did this championship mean for Lithuanian sport and for international fitness?

The answer is – a great deal.

CONCLUSION: VILNIUS BECAME PART OF HISTORY

The 2004 WFF World Championship in Vilnius was more than a sporting competition.

It was an international event where athletes from different countries, different fitness schools and different sporting traditions came together.

It represented a period when WFF, established in 1995, had already developed an international competition system and was presenting fitness as a broad and diverse sporting discipline.

It was also an important chapter in Lithuanian sporting history, when state institutions, sports organizers and athletes joined forces to host a world championship in Vilnius.

And most importantly, Lithuania was not merely the host nation.

Lithuania was one of the championship's leading sporting forces.

Lithuanian athletes won world titles, earned podium places and formed a significant part of the championship's field.

Meanwhile, the overall winners from Russia and the Baltic region once again demonstrated the important role that this part of Europe played in WFF international sport at the time.

The message of 2004 was clear:

Vilnius was ready to host the world of sport.

Lithuanian athletes were ready to compete with it.

And WFF was, at that time, one of the important centers of the international fitness movement, bringing together countries, sporting disciplines and people.

For this reason, the results of the 2004 WFF World Championship in Vilnius are not merely an old competition protocol.

They are a historical record of Lithuania's place in the history of world fitness sport.

“Amber Prix” stories. EDMUNDAS REPŠYS.

Former weightlifter, Lithuanian national bodybuilding champion, and member of Klaipėda’s “Gintaras Club,” Edmundas Repšys competed in eleven N.A.B.B.A. and I.F.B.B. bodybuilding competitions of various levels between 1986 and 1995.

Among the most significant achievements of his sporting career were his victories in his category at the 1990 and 1991 International “Amber Prix” (“Gintarinis prizas,” “Янтарный приз”) tournaments, held in Klaipėda.

Edmundas Repšys’s sporting career is closely associated with an important period in the history of bodybuilding in Klaipėda, when the “Amber Prix” tournament was one of the most significant international bodybuilding events in the socialist countries.