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1947 "MR. UNIVERSE"

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19/04/2026

N.A.B.B.A. IS TELLING LIES OR IT DOES NOT KNOW IT’S OWN HISTORY?

“WORLD BODYBUILDING ENCYCLOPEDIA”.

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. 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..

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

OVER ALL WORLD CHAMPIONS

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18/04/2026

WORLD BODYBUILDING HISTORY.

WORLD FITNESS FEDERATION
(W.F.F. - International)
WORLD BODYBUILDING FEDERATION
(W.B.B.F. - International)
WORLD AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
OVER ALL WINNERS
(1990-2025)
MEN
Year, Competitor's Name, Country.
2025 DAINIUS DZIKEVICIUS, LITHUANIA

2024 ANDRIUS PAULIUKEVICIUS, LITHUANIA

2023 LUKASZ KULINSKI, POLAND

2022 VILIUS PRANCKEVICIUS, LITHUANIA

2021 ARTUR KAMIENIAK, POLAND

2020 ROMAN POLSHIN, ESTONIA

2019 ARKADIUSZ DEMIDOWICZ, POLAND

2018 TOLGA MURAT BALIKCI, TURKEY

2017 MAROS KANASZ, SLOVAKIA
2016 FARREIRA GLAYSON SOUTO, BRAZIL
2015 MAROS KANASZ, SLOVAKIA
2014 NIKOLAJ VOROBJOV, RUSSIA
2013 MOSTAFA GOLMIRZA ESKANDARI, IRAN
2012 NIKOLAJ VOROBJOV, RUSSIA
2011 ALI IMANI, IRAN
2010 ALEKSANDR SEVCOV, ESTONIA
2009 ALEKSANDR ANASKIN, RUSSIA
2008 WOJCIECH NADOLSKI, POLAND
2007 ROMAN DUBOVICKIJ, RUSSIA
2006 ANTONIO OSTA, URUGUAY
2005 ALEKSANDR BALDIN, RUSSIA
2004 KONSTANTIN ZACHAROV, RUSSIA
2003 ALEKSANDR TUMASEVIC, RUSSIA
2002 FRANCO CARLOTTO, SWITZERLAND
2001 MINDAUGAS KVASYS, LITHUANIA
2000 MASSIMO MONACO, ITALY
1999 FRANCO CARLOTTO, SWITZERLAND
1998 JURGEN KOCH, GERMANY
1997 JURGEN KOCH, GERMANY
1996 JAN BOLKEN, GERMANY
1995 HOLGER DANNHEIM, GERMANY
1994 DIRK KARREGARN, GERMANY
1993 KLAUS MARTIN, GERMANY
1992 MURAT AIBBYAK, TURKEY
1991 REINER GORBRACHT, GERMANY
1990 VOLKER FORTSCH, GERMANY

WOMEN
YEAR, COMPETITOR'S NAME, COUNTRY.
2025 OLGA BOGACZ, POLAND

2024 VAIDA BUDRIENE, LITHUANIA

2023 ANNA SOBOLEWSKA KUCHARSKA, POLAND

2022 ANNA SOBOLEWSKA KUCHARSKA, POLAND

2021 LAURA SIUGALE, LATVIA

2020  HANNA KRISTINA SKITTA, FINLAND

2019 HOLLIE JADE FEENEY, UK

2018 HANNA KRISTINA SKITTA, FINLAND

2017 ALEKSANDRA ANTIPOVA, RUSSIA
2016 YAMILA TOLEDO, ARGENTINA
2015 LIUDMILA SENCIUGOVA, RUSSIA
2014 JELENA KURSANOVA, RUSSIA
2013 MARIA SOL FARINELLI, ARGENTINA
2012 DALVANIZA AQUINO, BRAZIL
2011 CRECKY CHAVES, BRAZIL
2010 LIUDMILA KOLESNIKOVA, RUSSIA
2009 LIUDMILA KOLESNIKOVA, RUSSIA
2008 JOLANTA MILERIUTE, LITHUANIA
2007 IRINA RIABOVA, RUSSIA
2006 ROSALIA DUTRA DE CAMPOS, ARGENTINA
2005 RACHEL KAUPPILA, FINLAND
2004 MARINA BURINSKAJA, LATVIA
2003 MARIE PIERRE DOMINIQUE RIPERT, FRANCE
2002 IRINA ZINCENKO, RUSSIA
2001 SVETLANA PUGACHEVA, RUSSIA
2000 MARIA KONSTANTINIDOU, GREECE
1999 TINA PUSH, GERMANY
1998 CLAUDIA MACHMOR, GERMANY
1997 EDITA DAUBARAITE, LITHUANIA
1996 DANIELA HARIC, CROATIA
1995 ALEXANDRA BAUMANN, GERMANY
1994 MANUELA NOUGEBAUER, GERMANY
1993 SANDRA BAUERTLE, GERMANY
1992 MANUELA FRANC, GERMANY
1991 SABINE WEEKE, GERMANY
1990 BETTINA BINDER, GERMANY
Chairman W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International Judges Council Edita Sendriene

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

26-th UNIVERSE

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17/04/2026

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

New articles

FIGHTS AGAINST BODYBUILDING PROHIBITION

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REAL WORLD BODYBUILDING HISTORY.

SOLE MAN AGAINST U.S.S.R. POLITICAL POWER.

FIGHTS AGAINST BODYBUILDING PROHIBITION.

Fifty three years have passed since bodybuilding sport was prohibited and prosecuted in the U.S.S.R. and Socialist countries. Everybody keep silence as they have nothing to say. Yes, in 1973 most bodybuilders left the sport. Somebody went to weightlifting. Somebody went on with bodybuilding illegally. But – who dared to make real steps to fight with prohibition of bodybuilding by political powers? The only one and it was DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. It is the right time to speak about this. We will tell the full story in the nearest future. We will cover the facts, we will present documents and we will make conclusions. Sure – the false „heroes“ will not like this.

SOLE MAN AGAINST U.S.S.R. POLITICAL POWER.

We will speak about the period of time afrer bodybuilding prohibition – after 1973. Topics of the article are:

-        Personalities of bodybuilding

-        Meetings of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS at Ministry of Sport of the Č.S.S.R.

-        Meeting of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS with Minister Sport of Lithuanian SSR

-        Discussions of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS with U.S.S.R. press

-        Petition of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to U.S.S.R. Communist Party Central Committee in Moscow

-        Results, followers.

SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING PERSONALITIES.
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 Oskar State, established the sports federation I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders). Until then, I.F.B.B. was a private commercial company, having nothing to do with official sport. Oskar State also organized the membership of the new I.F.B.B. federation in the international G.A.I.S.F. (Global Association of International Sports Federations). After more than twenty years of F.I.H.C. managing bodybuilding globally, since 1971, the I.F.B.B. federation began to lead world bodybuilding.
SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING PERSONALITIES.
Among the personalities of early socialist world bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R. were representatives from the R.S.F.S.R.: Genadij Baldin (Геннадий Балдин), Roman Moroz (Роман Мороз), Vladimir Dubinin (Владимир Дубинин). From Lithuanian S.S.R., they were Vytautas Zumeris, Valerijus Koreškovas (Валерий Корешков) — after the ban on bodybuilding, some chose heavy athletics, some completely left sports, and Vladimir Dubinin, after his loss in the 1974 international tournament “Georg Tenno Memorial” (“Georgo Tenno memorialas”, «Мемориал Георга Тенно», 1971–2025), left bodybuilding for thirteen years and did not interact with anyone from the bodybuilding world.
Later, after the coup in Lithuanian S.S.R. organized in 1973, when Juozas Jusevičius was unfairly removed from leadership, the leadership of Lithuanian S.S.R. bodybuilding was taken over for decades by Romanas Kalinauskas, who organized the coup, along with his irreplaceable assistants from Kaunas: Aleksandras Novikovas and Ramutis Kairaitis.
After the ban on sports in Klaipėda, bodybuilding took its original path. There was no one to follow. The former city bodybuilding leader, Antanas Jonuskutis, left Klaipėda, and those bodybuilders who wanted to continue training scattered to the basements of residential buildings.
Already in 1973, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras organized competitions of the remaining city bodybuilders in the old abandoned Klaipėda prison basement, and in 1974, he held the “underground” “Amber Prix” (Amber Prix International, “Gintarinis prizas”, «Янтарный приз», 1968–2026) tournament in a bomb shelter at the Klaipėda sea trade port. In 1975, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras secretly organized the “Amber Prix” again in one of Klaipėda’s secondary schools, and in 1976, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras held a public tournament with spectators in the Telšiai Culture House. Regardless of the ban on bodybuilding, in 1977, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras organized two public tournaments, including the “Amber Prix,” in the Klaipėda sea trade port cultural center. The halls were packed with spectators.
Similar events took place in other cities of Lithuanian S.S.R. and other Soviet Republics. Everyone was afraid of persecution and acted secretly. During the bodybuilding ban period, in the capital of Lithuanian S.S.R., under the cover of the sports society “Dinamo,” the “Vilnius Bodybuilding School” operated; however, during this period, it did not develop active work—it aimed to wait for better times. The school was led by Ceslav Tamulevic (Чеслав Тамулевич, 1945–2023) and Vitalij Asovskij (Виталий Асовский, 1952–2026).
During the bodybuilding ban years, there were no active organizers in Latvian S.S.R.
In Estonian S.S.R., Innar Mardo (1945–2002) managed to convince his government that, based on the traditions of past strongmen and wrestlers, bodybuilding was a “national sport.” Innar Mardo’s ideas found support in the government.
And that was all—there were no other prominent bodybuilding figures -  organizers in the U.S.S.R. at that time.
In 1975, bodybuilding in the Czechoslovakian S.S.R. was led by Vojtech Fiala. Thanks to personal connections, Vojtech Fiala organized the Czechoslovakian S.S.R. delegation’s trip to the I.F.B.B. European Championship, where Petr Stach became the Overall winner. This was a fantastic event during the period of the bodybuilding ban. In the same year, 1975, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, while exchanging students at universities, worked in Prague, where he met Vojtech Fiala. The Czechs actively engaged Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, as he was the only Soviet bodybuilder to visit their country after the bodybuilding ban. In order to strengthen their position in the eyes of their political authorities, the Czechs demonstrated their “strong” ties with the Soviet Union through relations with Dr. Edmundas Daubaras. At the same time, in order to find out about the state of bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R., the leaders of Czechoslovakian S.S.R. bodybuilding wrote a letter to the before mentioned Genadij Baldin. Genadij Baldin explained that he was no longer involved in bodybuilding, as bodybuilding was disbanded and was under persecution. He wrote that only some individual organizers continued bodybuilding activities in the Baltic countries.

IMPORTANT 1975. MEETINGS AT SPORT MINISTRY.

In 1975 basing on the exchange of the University students DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS went to Czechoslovakia for two months. In Prague DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS met VOJTECH FIALA. During the following two months their meetings were often. Both had enough time to speak over the International bodybuilding situation. VOJTECH FIALA organized a visit to PETR STACH who was living close to Prague. PETR STACH told about the Europe Championship and explained DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS about his training systems and posed in front of him.

At the same time VOJTECH FIALA organized the meeting of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS with the Chairmen of the Ministry of sport of the Czechoslovakian SSR (Č.S.T.V., Československy Svaz Telesne Vychovy). Questions of the situation around bodybuilding was spoken over.

1977 MEETINGS AT SPORT MINISTRY.

In 1977 still as a student of Vilnius State University DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS for two months went to Czechoslovakia again. Again working on the future cooperation between the U.S.S.R. and Czechoslovakian SSR bodybuilders DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS and VOJTECH FIALA visited the Ministry of Sport of  Czechoslovakian SSR. For the discussion meetings with the Chairmen of the Ministry were organized. In 1977 Czechoslovakian bodybuilding Federation had a room at the Ministry. Secretary of the federation was a famous bodybuilder PETER TLAPAK. He presented the headquarters of the federation, discussed the situation and posed in front of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS.

VOJTECH FIALA for DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS organized a trip to a mountain resort where Czechoslovakia bodybuilders under support of the Government were preparing for the coming World Championship. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS discussed various questions with athletes and trainers.

Also VOJTECH FIALA invited DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to two meetings of the Czechoslovakia Bodybuilding Federation Council. The meetings were held by Professor FRANTISEK BULVA in the city of Brno. Under the requests of the participants DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS spoke on bodybuilding situation ion the U.S.S.R. and in Lithuania SSR.

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IMPORTANT HAPPENINGS

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HISTORY BOOK OF ARUNAS PETRAITIS.

WE GO ON DEVELOPING WORLD’S SPORT.

PRERPARING FOR THE 60-TH “AMBER PRIX”.

Today, the sports community gathered for the presentation of a book by journalist and sports historian Arūnas Petraitis. The book is titled Lithuanian Bodybuilding 1965–2015. An Illustrated History of the “Iron” Sport.
During the event, the legendary “Amber Prix International”  was also remembered, first organized back in 1967. It is wonderful to see that this beautiful tradition continues – on May 1–2, the “Amber Prix” will take place for the 59th time.
Therefore, this was not only a book presentation, but also a meaningful discussion and exchange of ideas for the upcoming 60-th anniversary of the “Amber Prix,” which will be held next year, in 2027, in Klaipėda. The works done and the works we are doing for the coming unique contest were presented by the General Secretary W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International Ugne Raudyte Daubariene and federation Official Alina Pelepko.
This is an especially significant event for the city of Klaipėda – the International tournament has been held here for 60 years, and all of this is thanks to DSc. Edmundas Daubaras, President of the International W.F.F. – W.B.B.F..
During the meeting, we revisited the old-school era of bodybuilding – a time when this sport was not only about physical form, but also a true art of aesthetics, plasticity, and stage culture, nurtured by our W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. community. The book highlights Lithuania’s highest achievements and gives special attention to Natalija Murnikovienė, who still holds the highest-level accomplishments to this day.
We spoke about how, in those times, great importance was placed on smooth and artistic posing transitions, the aesthetics of movement, and harmony on stage. A performance was much more than simply stepping on stage and demonstrating standard poses – it was the peak of bodybuilding as an art form.
This spirit was beautifully embodied by Aretas Kolmakovas, who demonstrated elegant and fluid transitions during the meeting, recalling the legendary days of the “Amber Prix.” Even more meaningfully, he himself participated in the “Amber Prix” tournaments for about ten times with his own individual posing program, making his performance a living reflection of our history and traditions.
This inspired a special idea for the upcoming 60-th anniversary in 2027 – to revive the classic artistic posing of the “Amber Prix” as a separate category, honoring our roots, aesthetics, and the unique philosophy of light and natural bodybuilding promoted by W.F.F. – W.B.B.F.. The idea will be fulfilled by Lithuania senior bodybuilder Aleksas Stankus and pretender to the Parliament Republic Lithuania Klaipeda polititian Romualdas Mile.
It would be not only a tribute to history, but also the return of true classical bodybuilding art to the stage.
Photos by: Audrius Kundrotas.

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