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.

More information is on International Site www.wff.lt

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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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.

More information is on International Site www.wff.lt

SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING — THE UNKNOWN PART OF WORLD SPORT HISTORY.

Against the Background of Western Bodybuilding — Another History That Remained Behind the Iron Curtain for Decades

What is known today about the bodybuilding that developed on the other side of the Iron Curtain?

When we speak about the history of world bodybuilding, we most often think of the United States, Great Britain, California, the famous “Mr. Universe” and “Mr. Olympia” competitions, world-renowned athletes, and the major Western bodybuilding organizations.

But this is only one side of the story.

On the other side of the Iron Curtain, bodybuilding also existed. There were athletes, coaches, judges, gyms, clubs, competitions, organizers, and people who, despite the political system and various restrictions, created their own bodybuilding traditions.

Today, this part of history remains virtually unknown to many followers of world bodybuilding.

And that is precisely why it must be remembered.

HISTORY WAS WRITTEN NOT ONLY BY THE WEST

Since 2012, the World WFF-WBBF Federation has been preparing a major historical project in three languages — the World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia.

This is not simply another book about champions, medals, and sporting records.

It is an attempt to look at bodybuilding as a global historical phenomenon.

As this material has been researched, one fact has become increasingly clear: until now, the history of world bodybuilding has often been presented primarily from a Western perspective. Much attention has been devoted to sports organizations and competitions in Western countries. This is an important part of bodybuilding history, but it is far from the whole story.

During the 20th century, the world was divided into two major political and economic systems — East and West.

There were not only political borders between them.

There was also an information barrier.

The sporting world was divided as well.

As a result, for many years the West knew very little about what was happening in Eastern Europe and other socialist countries.

But sporting history did not stop there.

It was simply being created on the other side of the border.

A BODYBUILDING THAT “DID NOT EXIST”?

In a certain sense, the history of socialist bodybuilding is a paradox.

Bodybuilding existed even though it was not always recognized within the official sports system.

Athletes trained even though their sport was viewed with suspicion in some countries.

Competitions were held even though many of them never became part of the official international sporting record.

There were people who created bodybuilding clubs and traditions, even though their activities often depended on the attitude of the particular political and sporting system.

Therefore, socialist bodybuilding cannot be judged today solely by how much information about it survived in the Western press.

The absence of information is not proof that historical events did not take place.

This is one of the main reasons why the history of socialist bodybuilding deserves to be studied separately.

FOUR PERIODS IN THE HISTORY OF SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING

Based on the historical material collected so far, four major periods in the development of socialist bodybuilding can be identified.

I. THE ROMANTIC PERIOD OF BODYBUILDING — 1963–1973

This was a period of beginnings and enthusiasm.

Bodybuilding was only beginning to establish itself within the sporting world. There was no unified system, no common set of rules, and no international flow of information comparable to what exists today.

Individual enthusiasts played an enormous role.

They searched for information, read foreign magazines, studied photographs, followed Western athletes, developed training methods on their own, and tried to apply whatever knowledge they were able to obtain.

A new culture gradually developed in gyms.

The body became not only a symbol of physical strength, but also an object of discipline, aesthetics, and personal improvement.

Many traditions that would survive for decades were born during this period.

This was the romantic period of bodybuilding — a time when the sport was often built not for financial gain, but through enthusiasm and dedication.

II. THE PERIOD OF BANS AND PERSECUTION — 1973–1987

This period was completely different.

In some socialist countries, bodybuilding faced official distrust, various restrictions, bans, and administrative pressure.

Attitudes toward bodybuilding were contradictory.

In some countries it was regarded as something foreign, unnecessary, or ideologically unacceptable. Particularly controversial was the influence of Western culture, which increasingly reached Eastern European athletes through the press, photographs, sports literature, and training methods.

Yet something paradoxical happened.

The more restrictions appeared, the more bodybuilding moved into the sphere of enthusiasts, sports clubs, and private gyms.

It did not disappear.

It continued to exist.

Sometimes officially.

Sometimes semi-officially.

Sometimes almost underground.

This period is especially important because it tested the determination of many bodybuilding enthusiasts.

Some were forced to withdraw.

Others continued their work.

Still others became mentors to a new generation of bodybuilders.

Therefore, this period can be described not only as a period of bans, but also as a period of bodybuilding's survival.

III. THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD — THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOCIALIST SYSTEM

At the end of the 1980s, the political map of Europe began to change rapidly.

Sport changed as well.

New opportunities for travel emerged.

Information channels opened.

Athletes gained the opportunity to see directly what was happening in the West.

They could participate in international competitions, establish direct contacts with foreign organizations, and exchange experience.

The bodybuilding world, which for decades had been divided into two separate systems, began to come together.

But another process began at the same time.

The old history began to disappear.

Some of the people who had built bodybuilding during the socialist period withdrew from active involvement.

Some archives remained in private hands.

Some documents were lost.

Many old competitions and their participants were not included in later international historical publications.

Thus, political borders collapsed, but the historical gap did not disappear overnight.

IV. THE PRESENT PERIOD

Today, bodybuilding is global.

An athlete from Lithuania can compete in the United States.

A coach from Europe can communicate directly with colleagues in Asia.

Information about training, nutrition, and sporting methods is available throughout much of the world.

But globalization has another side.

Globalization can sometimes erase historical differences.

The new generation sees the present, but does not always know what came before it.

That is why it is especially important today to preserve not only current sporting achievements, but also the history of the people, organizations, and competitions that shaped the sport.

THE “AMBER PRIX” — A LIVING TESTIMONY OF HISTORY

In the history of Lithuanian bodybuilding, the “Amber Prix” holds a special place.

In 2027, Klaipėda will mark the 60th anniversary of this traditional bodybuilding event.

This is not simply a symbolic anniversary.

It represents six decades of sporting history.

Six decades during which political systems, state borders, the organization of sport, access to information, and bodybuilding itself all changed.

But the tradition survived.

That is why the history of the “Amber Prix” is important not only to Lithuanian sport.

It is part of the broader European and world history of bodybuilding.

There are few traditional bodybuilding competitions in the world whose history reaches back so many decades.

Only the NABBA “Mr. Universe,” organized in England since 1950, and the “Mr. Olympia” competition, organized in the United States since 1965, have older traditions.

Therefore, the 2027 anniversary is an opportunity not only to remember the past, but also to take a new look at the history of bodybuilding.

WHY DO WE NEED TO RETURN TO THE PAST TODAY?

Because history very quickly becomes legend.

And legend does not always coincide with fact.

One person remembers events one way.

Another remembers them differently.

One publication gives one date.

Another gives a different one.

One athlete remains in collective memory.

Another, although perhaps equally important, is forgotten.

That is why history must not only be told.

It must be documented.

Old competition records must be found.

Photographs must be preserved.

Competition posters must be collected.

Those who personally witnessed these events must be interviewed.

Dates and facts must be verified.

And, above all, history must be viewed from a broader perspective.

NOT EAST AGAINST WEST, BUT ONE COMMON HISTORY OF BODYBUILDING

When we speak about the history of socialist bodybuilding, the goal is not to set East against West.

Quite the opposite.

The goal is to show that both parts of this history existed simultaneously and influenced one another.

Western bodybuilding influenced the East.

Eastern athletes and coaches also developed their own methods, traditions, and sporting culture.

The conditions were different.

The opportunities were different.

The political environment was different.

But the human desire to become stronger, to improve oneself, and to achieve better physical development was the same.

Therefore, there is little value today in asking which side of bodybuilding history is more important.

What matters is understanding that without one of these parts, the history of world bodybuilding remains incomplete.

HISTORIES THAT MUST NOT BE LOST

The preparation of the World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia and the historical project dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the “Amber Prize” provide an opportunity to fill one of the significant gaps in the history of world bodybuilding.

It is an opportunity to bring together, in a single historical narrative, what was divided for decades.

The history of Western and Eastern bodybuilding.

The world's major competitions and smaller events that were nevertheless historically significant.

International organizations and local sports clubs.

Famous champions and the people who never became world champions but whose work laid the foundations for future generations.

Because sporting history is created not only by winners.

It is created by people.

And if we do not preserve their stories today, tomorrow there may be no one left to tell them.

THE HISTORY OF BODYBUILDING HAS NOT YET BEEN FULLY WRITTEN

The history of bodybuilding is not a finished book.

It is still being written.

Every newly discovered document, every old photograph, every competition record, and every eyewitness account can add something to the overall picture of world bodybuilding.

Therefore, studying the history of socialist bodybuilding is not simply a look into the past.

It is a responsibility to the future.

So that future generations will know that bodybuilding did not emerge in one country, one city, or one organization.

It developed in many places.

Under different conditions.

Within different political systems.

In different languages.

But it was created by people who shared the same desire — to become stronger, to improve themselves, and to build a sport.

Therefore, socialist bodybuilding is not a forgotten footnote in the history of world sport.

It is a part of world bodybuilding history that finally deserves to be told.

DORIAN YATES SPEAKS OUT: IS THE OLYMPIA MOVING AWAY FROM REAL BODYBUILDING?

Six-time Mr. Olympia champion Dorian Yates has not hidden his disappointment with the direction professional bodybuilding is taking today. The Briton's criticism goes beyond the athletes' physiques – it raises a much bigger question about what judges should actually be rewarding on the Olympia stage.

Dorian Yates needs little introduction. From 1992 to 1997, the Brit won the Mr. Olympia title six consecutive times, permanently securing his place in bodybuilding history.

His formula for victory was brutally simple and extraordinarily difficult to replicate: enormous muscle mass, incredible density, razor-sharp conditioning and extreme muscular detail.

Today, however, Yates watches professional bodybuilding from a different perspective – as a former champion and one of the sport's most influential observers.

And not everything he sees appears to impress him.

“Is this really what bodybuilding is supposed to look like?”

The 2026 Olympia once again demonstrated just how heated the debate over the direction of professional bodybuilding has become.

What should matter most today – maximum muscle mass, proportions, aesthetics, conditioning or the overall presentation on stage?

Some fans believe that the modern Open division is moving further and further away from the classic concept of bodybuilding. Athletes are becoming enormous, reaching levels of muscularity that previous generations could hardly have imagined.

But at the same time, one question keeps coming back:

Does a bigger physique automatically make someone a better bodybuilder?

This is where Dorian Yates' voice becomes particularly relevant.

The former champion has repeatedly criticized the modern pursuit of extreme physiques and has also spoken about the use of synthetic fillers such as Synthol and PMMA. In his view, practices like these can distort the very essence of bodybuilding – developing muscle and creating balanced proportions.

The 2026 Olympia sparks another wave of debate

The 2026 Mr. Olympia contest in Las Vegas was no exception.

Nick Walker won the title, Samson Dauda finished second, and Derek Lunsford took third.

The results quickly became a major topic of discussion among fans, coaches and former competitors.

But there is one important point to understand: the Olympia is not a competition where the winner can be determined by a single objective number.

Judges evaluate the complete package – muscular development, proportions, symmetry, conditioning and posing.

That is precisely why the same question returns every year:

Which of these criteria should carry the greatest weight?

One viewer sees incredible size. Another focuses on aesthetics. A third looks primarily at conditioning. A fourth asks whether a particular physique still matches their definition of an ideal bodybuilder.

That is why the Olympia has never been simply about one line on the final scorecard.

From the Yates era to the present day

The professional bodybuilding standards during Yates' era were already extreme. In fact, Yates himself was one of the athletes who helped push the sport into a new era of muscularity.

But Yates was defined by more than size.

His back became one of the most iconic physiques in bodybuilding history. Density, detail, separation and extreme conditioning were his trademarks.

He wasn't simply “big” – he looked incredibly dense, dry and hard.

Today, the situation has changed.

Athletes have become even larger. Advances in training methodology, nutrition, recovery and professional preparation have allowed competitors to reach levels of physical development that previous generations could barely imagine.

But along with that progress comes another question:

Where is the limit?

When “more” no longer means “better”

This is perhaps the central question behind Yates' criticism.

Bodybuilding has always been a sport built around the pursuit of more.

More muscle. More detail. Better proportions. Better conditioning.

But the pursuit of extremity can also become a trap.

When mass becomes the primary objective, waistlines, proportions, aesthetics and overall presentation can suffer.

And when athletes begin using synthetic fillers to alter the visual appearance of particular body parts, the debate becomes even more complicated.

That is why the criticism surrounding modern bodybuilding is about far more than one Olympia result.

It is a debate about the future of bodybuilding itself.

Should judges protect aesthetics?

This question is not going away.

If the sport continues to reward maximum muscularity above all else, athletes will have even more incentive to pursue extreme size.

If greater emphasis is placed on proportions, symmetry and aesthetics, the direction of the sport could change.

However, the official Olympia judging criteria have never simply been about “whoever is biggest wins.” Judges evaluate the athlete's physique as a complete package.

And that is precisely why every judging decision becomes a subject of debate:

Did the judging panel truly evaluate that “complete package” in the way the sport and its fans believe it should be evaluated?

Yates has become an uncomfortable voice

Dorian Yates is no longer fighting for the Sandow trophy. He is no longer stepping onstage or trying to win the approval of judges.

That gives his comments a different kind of weight.

He speaks as someone who has already stood where today's best bodybuilders are trying to go. He knows what it means to prepare for the Olympia, understands the level of conditioning required to compete at the highest level, and belongs to the generation that transformed professional bodybuilding.

That is why his criticism raises an uncomfortable question:

Is modern bodybuilding still trying to create the perfect physique – or has it become a competition to see who can become the biggest human being on the stage?

The answer will not depend solely on the judges.

It will be shaped by the athletes themselves, their coaches, promoters and millions of fans around the world.

One thing is certain: Dorian Yates' era ended nearly three decades ago, but his vision of what an elite bodybuilder should look like continues to fuel debate.

And judging by the reaction to the 2026 Olympia, that debate is far from over.