The Years of Bodybuilding Prohibition in Klaipeda. The Period Before the Public “Amber Prix” Tournament (Until 1976).

The history of bodybuilding in Klaipeda differed little from developments in other Lithuanian cities or throughout the socialist countries. It was a period when an officially prohibited sport survived solely through the efforts of enthusiasts — in basements, bomb shelters, and illegal clubs. Today, this era is regarded as a unique testimony to its time and an important part of Lithuania’s sports history.

In 1969, Edmundas Daubaras purchased his first barbell and, together with Algis Zivelis, began training at home. Soon, increasing numbers of local young people gathered at the Daubaras family apartment to exercise. As the constant flow of visitors became difficult for the family to accommodate, training sessions were moved first to the basement of an apartment building and later to the railway workers’ pioneer camp in Giruliai. One of the leading authorities of the time became Rimantas Budrys. Although conditions were extremely modest, the athletes remained dedicated.

In 1970, after the withdrawal from active activity of Klaipeda bodybuilding leader Antanas Jonuskutis (1942–2003), the city’s athletes dispersed among various adapted and non-adapted training premises. Nevertheless, the bodybuilding movement did not stop.

A major turning point came in 1971, when Klaipeda Seaport employee Vytautas Daubaras obtained premises for young athletes in a bomb shelter belonging to the port on Sportininku Street. There, the “Gintaras” (“Amber”) club was established, becoming the main bodybuilding center in Klaipeda during the harshest prohibition years. Around one hundred enthusiasts attended the club. Remarkably, the club’s traditions continue to this day — it is now known as “Amber Gym” and remains one of the organizers of the “Amber Prix” competition.

In 1971, in Tallinn, then part of the Estonian SSR, Innar Mardo (1945-2002) launched the tournament that later became a traditional event known as the “Georg Tenno Memorial.” The overall winners of the first competition were Valdas Aliubavičius from Vilnius in the junior division (the 1968 overall junior winner of the “Amber Prize” tournament) and Vladimir Dubinin from Leningrad in the adult division.

A few words about Georg Tenno. An officer in the Soviet Army, he was accused of espionage in 1948 and sentenced to imprisonment in the Gulag system. While incarcerated, he shared a prison cell with the future Nobel Prize laureate Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. During his imprisonment, Georg Tenno attempted to escape five times. In his famous work “The Gulag Archipelago” (“Архипелаг ГУЛАГ”), Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn dedicated a chapter to him titled “The Convicted Escapee” (“Убежденный беглец”).

In 1972, Edmundas Daubaras left to study philology at Vilnius State University but maintained close ties with Klaipeda athletes. He continued to lead the “Gintaras” club through his associates Algimantas Stalnionis and Algimantas Ratas.

After the USSR and other socialist countries officially banned bodybuilding, activities moved underground. In 1973, Edmundas Daubaras organized illegal bodybuilding competitions in the basement of the old city prison, attended by the bravest Klaipeda athletes of the time. In the adult division, Mindaugas Liaugaudas won first place, while the youth category was won by Algimantas Ratas.

That same year, Edmundas Daubaras gathered athletes from illegally operating clubs in Vilnius and organized strength dual competitions. Forty-six athletes from Vilnius, Klaipeda, and Siauliai participated. It was one of the first attempts to preserve a united Lithuanian bodybuilding community despite the prohibitions.

In 1974, the “Amber Prix” tournament was held in the bomb shelter premises of the “Gintaras” club. Athletes from four underground Klaipeda clubs took part. The competition program consisted of three parts: strength exercises, mandatory posing routines, and freestyle performances.

The junior divisions were won by Antanas Kazlauskas, Algimantas Ratas, and Sigitas Kisonas. In the youth divisions, the strongest competitors were Kestutis Virketis and Evaldas Sorius, while the adult categories were won by Sigitas Vilutis and Vytautas Zenkevicius. The absolute winners of their respective age groups were Antanas Kazlauskas, Evaldas Sorius, and Vytautas Zenkevicius.

After a two-year break, Estonian organizer Inar Mardo (Innar Mardo, 1945–2002) managed to revive the “Georg Tenno Memorial” competition in 1974. He succeeded in convincing Estonian political authorities that bodybuilding was a national Estonian sport with deep traditions. The competition took place at the Tallinn Technical School. Athletes from the “Vilnius School of Bodybuilding” won all first places except in the tallest height category, where Estonian Olev Annus defeated the favored RSFSR representative Vladimir Dubinin. The overall champion became Pranas Murauskas.

In 1975, the “Amber Prize” tournament was already being held in one of Klaipėda’s secondary schools. In addition to local athletes, competitors from Telšiai and Vilnius participated. The junior groups were won by Leonidas Rodionovas, Rimas Apulskis, and Antanas Dobrodzejus. In the youth categories, first places were claimed by Antanas Bašermanas, Algimantas Ruplys, and Aimontas Dolgichas. In the adult groups, the winners were Vytautas Zenkevičius, Olegas Serovas, and Rišardas Krinickis. The absolute winners were Rimas Apulskis, Algimantas Ruplys, and Rišardas Krinickis.

Despite prohibitions, constant surveillance, and poor training conditions, bodybuilding in Klaipeda not only survived but continued to grow stronger. During this period, the foundations were laid for a tradition that would later become one of most famous international bodybuilding events — the “Amber Prix” competition.

In 1975, during a university student exchange program, Edmundas Daubaras spent two months in Prague (Czechoslovak Socialist Republic). There he met Vojtech Fiala, president of the Czechoslovak Bodybuilding Federation. Vojtech Fiala was delighted to meet a representative of Soviet bodybuilding after a ten-year break. Seeking to demonstrate good relations with the USSR, he introduced Edmundas Daubaras to officials of the Czechoslovak Ministry of Sports (ČSTV – Československý svaz tělesné výchovy).

Edmundas Daubaras was surprised that, during the years when bodybuilding was banned in the USSR, Czechoslovak bodybuilders enjoyed official government support. In 1975, they participated for the first time in the IFBB European Championship held in the West. At that championship, Czech athlete Petr Stach not only won his category but also became the overall European champion.

At the initiative of Vojtech Fiala, Edmundas Daubaras visited the town of Rodotín, where the renowned athlete Petr Stach lived. The European champion welcomed the distinguished guest by holding an exhibition training session, during which he demonstrated his excellent physical condition and impressive musculature.

Among the participants of the “Amber Prix” tournaments were individuals who later became prominent Lithuanian public officials. Risardas Krinickis, who served for many years as one of the leaders of the State Control Committee under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, made a significant contribution to organizing numerous international “Amber Prix” tournaments between 1995 and 2008. For his merits to the international bodybuilding movement, he was awarded the “International Honor Gold Medal” of the World WFF-WBBF Federation in 2008.

Another participant was Kestutis Virketis, long-time Director of the Legal Department of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania. He also made an important contribution to organizing the 40th anniversary “Amber Prix” tournament. In 2024, he too was awarded the “International Honor Gold Medal” of the World WFF-WBBF Federation for his contribution to the international bodybuilding movement.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt

THE 1977 STRUGGLE AGAINST THE POLITICAL DECISIONS OF THE USSR AUTHORITIES. 1977: THE INTENSIFICATION OF BODYBUILDING PERSECUTION IN THE USSR

In 1977, Edmundas Daubaras once again travelled to the Czechoslovak SSR for two months under a university exchange program. The sports activity program was similar to that of previous years and included meetings with the President of the Czechoslovak Bodybuilding Federation, Vojtech Fiala, as well as with the federation’s vice-president, Professor Frantisek Bulva.

Seeking to demonstrate loyalty to their government, the Czechoslovak officials organized a meeting for Edmundas Daubaras, as a representative of Soviet bodybuilding, with the leadership of the Czechoslovak Ministry of Sports. At that time, the Czechoslovak Bodybuilding Federation already had its own office within the ministry, where the federation’s secretary, the well-known bodybuilder Peter Tlapak, was working.

Vojtech Fiala also arranged Edmundas Daubaras’ visit to the national Olympic training center located in a mountain resort area. At that time, members of the national bodybuilding team were preparing there for the World Championships. Meetings and discussions took place with athletes and coaches.

Later, Edmundas Daubaras visited the city of Brno, where Professor Frantisek Bulva organized two meetings of the Council of the Czechoslovak Bodybuilding Federation. Edmundas Daubaras attended these meetings as a guest and delivered a presentation on the situation of bodybuilding in the USSR.

1977: THE INTENSIFICATION OF BODYBUILDING PERSECUTION IN THE USSR

In 1977, the persecution of bodybuilding in the USSR intensified even further. The USSR Ministry of Sports issued directives calling for stricter measures against bodybuilding, and the sports ministries of the Soviet republics repeated and actively enforced these orders. At the same time, a coordinated campaign against bodybuilding began in the Soviet press. Particularly aggressive criticism came from journalist Dmitry Ivanov of the newspaper Sovietsky Sport. As pressure mounted, nearly all prominent bodybuilding organizers throughout the USSR fell silent.

Refusing to accept the situation and drawing inspiration from the examples he had witnessed in Czechoslovakia, Edmundas Daubaras began corresponding with the editorial office of Sovietsky Sport, the USSR Weightlifting Federation, and officials of the USSR Ministry of Sports. However, these efforts produced no positive results.

At the end of 1977, Edmundas Daubaras, together with the best bodybuilders of the city, took part in the “Georg Tenno Memorial” held in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. It was one of the most prestigious bodybuilding competitions in the USSR at the time. The most successful performance came from Patras Stanius, who won third place in the junior category.

More information is on International Site www.wff.lt

GREAT ORGANIZATION.

GREAT DATES.

As 2028 approaches, the International WFF–WBBF Federation is preparing to commemorate a significant milestone – the 60th anniversary of its international activities. During this period, the organization has grown into a global sports movement, bringing together members from 141 countries across all continents.

Despite the challenges that have affected the world in recent years – including the pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and other international developments – the Federation has maintained active operations, consistently promoting initiatives in sport, physical activity, fitness, and healthy living. Our mission is to provide opportunities for people of all ages and physical abilities to participate in sporting activities while strengthening international cooperation in this field.

The Federation's history is closely linked with Lithuania and its contribution to the development of international sport:

In 1967, the international tournament “Amber Prix” was established in Lithuania. In 2027, the event will celebrate its anniversary in Klaipėda. In 1968, the International Athletic Gymnastics (Bodybuilding) Federation was founded in Lithuania and coordinated the development of this sport in numerous countries. During challenging historical periods, the Federation faced various restrictions; however, its community successfully preserved sporting traditions and ensured the continuity of its activities. Following 1991, the Federation actively expanded its participation in the international sports movement, developing cooperation with sports organizations and institutions in many countries. Since 1999, special attention has been devoted to children's sports through the “Fit-Kid” programs and to the development of sports opportunities for persons with disabilities. In 2004, fitness model competitions were introduced into the Federation's event program, attracting broad international interest. Since 2024, the Federation has further intensified its activities in fitness, physical activity, and wellness, promoting sport as a means of improving public well-being and quality of life.

The results achieved in recent years confirm the relevance of these activities and the growing public interest in them. In 2026, approximately 300 athletes from various countries participated in the professional “Universe” competition held in Klaipėda, while the European Amateur Championship in Croatia attracted more than 2,000 participants.

Throughout its history, the Federation has sought constructive cooperation with national and local authorities, sports organizations, and public institutions. In many countries, our events have been recognized as a meaningful contribution to promoting physical activity, strengthening international relations, and encouraging healthy lifestyles. In recent years, the Federation's work has received attention and recognition in Austria, Slovakia, Poland, Estonia, India, and other countries.

The forthcoming 60th anniversary represents not only an important historical achievement for our organization but also an opportunity to once again emphasize the importance of sport in strengthening public health, international cooperation, cultural dialogue, and social unity.

We look forward to continuing meaningful cooperation and to contributing, through joint efforts, to the promotion of sport, physical activity, fitness, and healthy living on an international scale.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt

FOR SEVERAL YEARS, SLOVAKIA WAS THE WORLD CAPITAL OF BODYBUILDING AND FITNESS. The Phenomenon of Štefan Hrčka’s Patronage.

Life never stands still. The whirlwind of events and activities continues to move forward at an unstoppable pace. However, as we look to the future, we should not forget the remarkable chapters in our sport’s history. Some of these events were so extraordinary that no other international sports federation could have imagined organizing anything comparable.

One of the most significant periods in the history of world bodybuilding and fitness was 2009–2015. During these years, exceptional international sporting events were organized in Slovakia, at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Moscow, and in Austria, in cooperation with the World Fitness Federation – World Bodybuilding Federation (WFF–WBBF).

The principal supporter, organizer, and patron of these historic initiatives was Slovak philanthropist ŠTEFAN HRČKA. His personal commitment, financial support, and dedication to sport played a crucial role in making these international projects possible.

These exceptional initiatives received support from the Parliament of the Slovak Republic, the Government of Slovakia, and personally from the then Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico.

This was a remarkable period in international sports history, demonstrating the importance of government support, public recognition, and outstanding individual patronage in the development of international sport.

The name of Štefan Hrčka will forever remain associated with this unique period in the history of WFF–WBBF.

Detailed information, historical documents, and additional materials are available on the official international federation website:

www.wff.lt

WFF–WBBF INTERNATIONAL NEWS. WFF–WBBF FEDERATION LEADERSHIP MEETS IN KLAIPĖDA: PREPARATIONS FOR THE HISTORIC 60TH AMBER PRIX AND 31ST EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP.

November 13, 2026 – Klaipėda, Lithuania

An official meeting of the Executive Council and leadership of the World WFF–WBBF Federation took place in Klaipėda, Lithuania, on November 13, 2026. The meeting brought together the Federation's leading representatives to review recent international competitions, evaluate sporting results, discuss organizational matters and establish priorities for the further development of the international Federation.

The meeting was attended by:

Dr. Edmundas Daubaras – President of the WFF–WBBF Federation.Darius Daubaras – Vice President.Ugnė Raudytė-Daubarienė – Secretary General and Chairwoman of the Organizing Committee of International Events.Alina Pelepko – Head of Women's Fitness Development and Athlete Preparation, WFF Lithuania; Head of the Fitness Models and Bikini Division.Svetlana Pugacheva – Chairwoman of the Technical Committee, International Judge and Athlete Development and Education Coordinator. THE HISTORIC 60TH AMBER PRIX – A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL EVENT IN 2027

One of the central topics of the meeting was the preparation for a particularly important occasion in the history of the Federation: the 60th Amber Prix International Tournament and 31st European Championship, scheduled for May 7–9, 2027, in Klaipėda, Lithuania.

The Amber Prix (Gintarinis prizas, Янтарный приз) is one of the oldest traditional international tournaments in the history of bodybuilding and fitness sports worldwide.

Reaching its 60th edition represents an extraordinary milestone, reflecting six decades of sporting traditions, dedication, international cooperation, outstanding athletic achievements and friendship among nations.

The jubilee championship is expected to attract a particularly large international delegation of athletes representing numerous countries. Distinguished international athletes, prominent guests and representatives of political and sporting communities are also planned to be invited to the ceremonial celebrations.

The Federation leadership is investing considerable effort in preparing an exceptional international event. New organizational ideas are being discussed, important decisions are being made, and preparations are underway to ensure that the championship becomes a memorable celebration worthy of its historic significance.

A special historical publication dedicated to the 60-year history of the Amber Prix, its international development and its importance in world sport is also being prepared. The book will be published in several languages, and its layout and design work has already begun.

Dear athletes, all these preparations are being made for you!

The WFF–WBBF leadership wants every participant to feel welcome, appreciated and proud to become part of this historic sporting celebration.

INTERNATIONAL COACHES' AND JUDGES' SEMINAR – NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Another important subject discussed during the meeting was the organization of the international coaches' and judges' seminar planned for spring 2027.

As an international sports organization, the WFF–WBBF Federation continuously works to improve its sporting regulations, introduce innovations, develop professional education and expand its international activities.

Further organizational and sporting innovations are expected to be announced in the near future. These developments are intended to strengthen the Federation's activities and have a significant impact on the international sports community.

EXPANSION OF THE FEDERATION – TWO NEW STRUCTURAL DIVISIONS

The Federation leadership also discussed the further development of its organizational structure.

An extended meeting of the WFF–WBBF Federation Executive Council is scheduled for December 2, 2026, in Klaipėda.

One of the principal issues on the agenda will be the establishment of two new structural divisions:

Stage Choreography Division.Stage Art Division.

Both divisions are planned to be headed by experienced professionals in their respective fields.

These initiatives demonstrate the Federation's intention to expand its sporting and artistic activities, introduce new opportunities and strengthen international professional cooperation.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE 47TH WORLD GRAND PRIX

The meeting also addressed preparations for the 47th International Professional and Amateur World Grand Prix Tournament.

In the coming week, a WFF–WBBF Federation delegation is scheduled to travel to Poland to hold discussions and make organizational arrangements concerning this prestigious international competition.

The planned visit represents another step in strengthening cooperation with international sports organizations and partners in different countries.

THE FEDERATION'S INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES

The November 13 meeting in Klaipėda reaffirmed the WFF–WBBF Federation leadership's commitment to preserving its long-standing sporting traditions while actively developing new international projects.

The Federation continues to organize major international championships, improve professional education, expand its organizational structure and strengthen cooperation among athletes, coaches, judges and sports representatives worldwide.

The year 2027 will be particularly significant for the Federation, with the 60th Amber Prix and 31st European Championship standing out as major highlights of its international sporting calendar.

KLAIPĖDA, MAY 7–9, 2027!

60 YEARS OF AMBER PRIX – SIX DECADES OF HISTORY, TRADITION AND INTERNATIONAL SPORTING FRIENDSHIP!

HISTORY CONTINUES!

For further information, please visit the official international Federation website:

www.wff.lt