78 YEARS OF WORLD BODYBUILDING SPORT.

66 YEARS OF SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING.

BEGINNING.

Until now official World and Socialist bodybuilding history is presented as a mistake. The basis of the history is incorrect. It is a mistake when we use to say that bodybuilders built and developed sport of bodybuilding. No, not bodybuilders. Bodybuilders were training and participating at the competitions only. Do winning bodybuilders developed sport anyhow? No, not at all. For bodybuilders somebody else had to organize competitions, to get permeations, support, venue places, awards and to collect participants. To say more – somebody had to publicize information about contests and bodybuilders. Otherwise until now nobody would even hear anything about a single bodybuilder.

All bodybuilding organizations, federations were created not by bodybuilders. Organizations were created by functioneers and organizers. During the history of bodybuilding sport there were only few Internationally important persons - organizers. Organizers are the main persons of bodybuilding sport. We will speak shortly in this article. Anyway it will be a long story to put it down.

BEGINNING OF BODYBUILDING SPORT.

As we have spoken before we will present only short information. Each our story can be developed into a long article. For detailed information look on International Site www.wff.lt

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. This way for twenty years bodybuilding became officially recognized sport. 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“ competition? 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..

1959. BOB HOFFMAN BRINGS BODYBUILDING TO SOCIALIST COUNTRIES.

In 1959 the USA „Father of Weightlifting“ BOB HOFFMAN through the International Weightlifting Federation F.I.H.C. first time brought bodybuilding sport to the Socialist Countries. That was the World Weightlifting Championship in Warszawa - the Capital of the Polish Democratic Republic. Then F.I.H.C. organized the traditional bodybuilding „Mr. Universe“ in Warszawa too. Over All Winner was GUY MEIRCZUK (born in 1936, France). Right after this Bodybuilding Committe of Poland was created.  First President was the „Father of Polish Bodybuilding“ STANISLAW ZAKRZEWSKI.

IN 1963 FIRST INTERNATIONAL BODYBUILDING ORGANIZATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN SOCIALIST WORLD.

In 1963 under direct influence American BOB HOFFMAN  and British OSCAR STATE and the initiative of the F.I.H.C. (F.I.H., Federation Internationale Halterophile, later F.I.H.C., Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturiste, later I.W.F., International Weightlifting Federation) in the U.S.S.R. was established first International Bodybuilding Organization (Общественный комитет атлетической гимнастики С.С.С.Р.). of the Socialist World. The U.S.S.R. Sport Ministry (Goskomsport, Госкомспорт С.С.С.Р.) appointed a known Russia weightlifter ROMAN MOROZ (Роман Мороз) as the President of this Organization. Then the U.S.S.R. was not ready to face this innovation and the new organization worked only formally. We would like to underline that the I.F.B.B. federation (International Federation of Body Builders) was created only in 1970 in Belgrade (Yugoslavia) by the General Secretary F.I.H.C. OSCAR STATE.

Real bodybuilding started in 1968 when another new Organization was created in Lithuania. Again the formal Chairman of the new Organization was the above mentioned ROMAN MOROZ. He was the man to connect bodybuilders with the Ministry of Sport of the U.S.S.R.. In real bodybuilding sport in the U.S.S.R. was governed by other people. They were Russian GENADIJ BALDIN (Геннадий Балдин) and two Lithuanians VALERIJ KORESHKOV  (Валерий Корешков) and VYTAUTAS ZUMERIS.

That were the requirements of the „communist times and the communist regime“.

THE STORY WILL BE CONTINUED.

Those who are interested in detailed sport history – welcome to our Internet Site. We will publish the article in parts as it will take time. FACEBOOK does not allow long texts. For detailed information read International Site www.wff.lt

„GEORG TENNO MEMORIAL“

OVER ALL WINNERS

(1971 – 2024)

Year, Name, Country.
1971, DUBININ VLADIMIR, RUSSIA
1972, DUBININ VLADIMIR, RUSSIA
1974, MURAUSKAS PRANAS, LITHUANIA
1976, ANNUS OLEV, ESTONIA
1977, ANNUS OLEV, ESTONIA
1978, ANNUS OLEV, ESTONIA
1979, ANNUS OLEV, ESTONIA
1981, MILVYDAS ARVYDAS, LITHUANIA
1982, MISEVICIUS SAULIUS, LITHUANIA
1983, AJU ARKADI, ESTONIA
1984, KOSENKO PAVEL, ESTONIA
1985, OTSUS INDREK, ESTONIA
1987, KOSENKO PAVEL, ESTONIA
1989, KOSENKO PAVEL, ESTONIA

2024 SASSIAD ERKKI, ESTONIA.

Official Documents, Articles, Statistics on Global Page www.wff.lt

World Fitness Federation (W.F.F.-International)

World Body Building Federation (W.B.B.F.-International)

“WORLD GRAND PRIX”

OVER ALL AMATEUR CHAMPIONS

(1991-2025)

MEN

Year, Champion's Name, Venue, Place.

2025 ROKASHKOV VYACHESLAV (Russian Federation), Kranevo, Bulgaria

2024 JOVANOVIC DUSAN (Serbia), Kranevo, Bulgaria

2024 SAKNE GATIS, (Latvia), Lithuania, Vilkaviskis

2024 FEDOTOV OLEKSII (Estonia), Estonia, Parnu

2024 KRAVALIS JANIS (Latvia), Latvia, Kandava

2022 GAJNULLIN RUBIN (Russia), Russian Federation, Moscow

2021 POLSHIN ROMAN, (Estonia), Lithuania, Klaipeda

2021 KANASZ MAROS (Slovakia), Bulgaria, Kranevo

2020 KUSHAL CHANGMAI (India), Delhi, India

2019 BLAMM MUSA (Algeria), Russian Federaation, Moscow

2019 DZIKEVICIUS DAINIUS (Lithuania), Bulgaria, Kranevo

2018 BRIANCEV JEVGENIJ (Russian Federation), Russian Federation, Sochi

2017 JACIUK SERGEJ (Ukraine), Russian Federation, Jekaterinburg

2017 NAZARI MEDJIT (Iran), Russian Federation, Sochi

2016 MEWES CHRISTOFER (Germany), Germany, Wuppertal

2015 KAZAKS MAKSIM (Latvia), Belarus, Bobruisk

2015 MOLNAR PETER (Hungary), Holland, Maastricht

2014 VOROBJOV NIKOLAJ (Russian Federation), Russian Federation, Tula

2014 DA CRUZ REINALDO JOSE ROBERTO (UK), Russian Federation, Moscow

2013 DA CRUZ REINALDO JOSE ROBERTO (UK), Russian Federation, Moscow

2013 LIUTOV VITALIJ (Russia), Ukraine, Lvov

2013 SHISHEHGAR VAHID (Iran), Russian federation, Tula

2013 ARASH AHMADI (Iran), Belarus, Vitebsk

2013 VOROBJOV NIKOLAJ (Russia), Russian Federation, Saratov

2012 AGHAKHANI ABOLFAZI (Iran), Russian Federation, Moscow

2012 KLOCKOV JEVGENIJ (Russian Federation), Russian Federation, Moscow

2012 KOSTEL SERGEJ (Belarus), Belarus, Vitebsk

2011 BRIANCEV JEVGENIJ (Russian Federation), Russian Federation, Samara

2010 BELODEDOV IGOR (Russian Federation), Niznij Novgorod, Russian Federation

2009 KIENREICH RAIMUND (Austria), Turkey, Alania

2008 MASTORAKIS DIMITRIOS (Greece), Eretria

2006 SEVCOV ALEKSANDR (Estonia), Latvia, Riga

2000 HEISEL PATRIK (Germany), Greece, Syros

1999 MONACO MASSIMO (Italy), Austria, Baden

1998 KOCH JURGEN (Germany), Lithuania, Palanga

1997 CARLOTTO FRANK (Switzerland), Germany, Manheim

1997 BACEVICIUS GEDIMINAS, (Lithuania), Klaipeda, Lithuania

1997 KOCH JURGEN (Germany), Germany, Essen

1997 GRISHKENAS SIGITAS, (Lithuania) Austria, Linz

1996 BOHLEN JAN (Germany), Germany, Kaiserslautern

1995 CARLOTTO FRANK (Switzerland), Germany, Essen

1994 EL JINDAWI HANI (Germany), Germany, Posneck

1993 WILKE LUTZ (Germany), Germany, Frankfurt/Mein

1992 SCHMIDT PETER (Germany), Germany, Frankfurt/Mein

1991 BURKHARD OLF (Germany), Germany, Hessen.

 

WOMEN

Year, Champion's Name, Venue, Place.

2025 STAVCHANSKAYA DIANA (Israel), Kranevo, Bulgaria

2024 GUSAROVA INNA (Latvia), Kranevo, Bulgaria

2024 IVANOVA JELENA (Latvia), Lithuania, Vilkaviskis

2024 IVANOVA JELENA (Latvia), Estonia, Parnu

2024 BITINEVA JELENA (Latvia), Latvia, Kandava

2022 VOLKOVA JELENA (Russian Federation), Russian Federation, Moscow

2021 SONMEZ KARINA (Turkey), Bulgaria, Kranevo

2021 SKYTTA HANNA (Finland), Lithuania, Klaipeda

2020 KLIMOVA ALISA (Russian Federation), Delhi, India

2019 SAVCIUK VALENTINA (Russian Federation), Russian Federation, Moscow

2019 YAVOROVSKAJA MARINA (Ukraine), Bulgaria, Kranevo

2018 MEDVEDEVA JULIA (Russian Federation), Russian Federation, Sochi

2017 ANTIPOVA ALEKSANDRA (Russian Federation), Russian Federation, Jekaterinburg

2017 ABRAMOVA NATALIA (Russian Federation), Russian Federation, Sochi

2016 FUCHS JOANNA (Germany), Germany, Wuppertal

2015 SHUKAITYTE AGNE (Lithuania), Belarus, Bobruisk

2015 DIROCIE EVELYN (Belgium), Holland, Maastricht

2014 PUGACHEVA SVETLANA (Russian Federation), Russian Federation, Tula

2014 PUGACHEVA SVETLANA (Russian Federation), Russian Federation, Moscow

2013 DOLZENKOVA ALEKSANDRA (Belarus), Russian Federation, Moscow

2013 RISEVSKAJA NATALIJA (Ukraine), Ukraine, Lvov

2013 DOLZENKOVA ALEKSANDRA (Belarus), Russian Federation, Saratov

2013 DOLZENKOVA ALEKSANDRA (Belarus), Belarus, Vitebsk

2013 DOLZENKOVA ALEKSANDRA (Belarus), Russian Federation, Tula

2012 PUGACHEVA SVETLANA (Russian Federation), Russian Federation, Moscow

2012 KURSANOVA JELENA (Russian federation), Russian Federation, Moscow

2011 SENCIUGOVA LIUDMILA (Russian Federation), Russian Federation, Samara

2010 NIKOLAJEVA ALEKSANDRA (Russian Federation), Russian Federation, Niznij Novgorod

2009 MILERIUTE JOLANTA (Lithuania), Turkey, Alania

2008 MILERIUTE JOLANTA (Lithuania), Greece, Eretria

2006 LEPCIN MARTINA (Croatia), Latvia, Riga

2000 MUHLHAUS CLAUDIA (Germany), Greece, Syros

1999 MUHLHAUS CLAUDIA (Germany), Austria, Baden

1998 MACHMOR CLAUDIA (Germany), Lithuania, Palanga

1997 DAUBARAITE EDITA (Lithuania), Germany, Manheim

1997 DAUBARAITE EDITA (Lithuania), Lithuania, Klaipeda

1997 VOGEL INES (Germany), Austria, Linz

1997 PALMA SUSANA (Spain), Germany, Essen

1996 WEEKE SABINE (Germany), Germany, Kaiserslautern

1996 STREIT ISABELLE (France), Germany, Baden

1996 HARIC DANIELA (Croatia), Germany, Hannover

1995 WEEKE SABINE (Germany), Germany, Essen

1995 BAUMANN ALEXANDRA (Germany), Germany, Hannover

1994 MACHMOR CLAUDIA (Germany), Germany, Posneck

1994 ROHRS KLAUDIA (Germany), Germany, Frankfurt/Mein

1993 FRANZ MANUELA (Germany), Germany, Frankfurt/Mein

1992 FRANZ MANUELA (Germany), Germany, Frankfurt/Mein

1991 WEHR STEFANIE (Germany), Germany, Hessen

 

International Secretary UGNE RAUDYTE DAUBARIENE

 

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

“AMBER PRIX” – WHAT IS IT? HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE.

For more than six decades, the name “Amber Prix” has resonated throughout the world. What is it? Once a traditional bodybuilding tournament, today it has grown into a broad movement promoting wellness, fitness, and professional sport. Thanks to the activities of the international WFF-WBBF Federation, the “Amber Prix” has become a significant international sporting phenomenon.

During the period when bodybuilding was banned in the Soviet Union, the “Amber Prix” competition became the unofficial USSR Bodybuilding Championship, later recognized as such by the USSR Ministry of Sports. At that time, for many athletes from across the Soviet Union, this tournament effectively served as both the World and European Championship. The highest sporting achievements were associated with victories and prize-winning places at the “Amber Prix” competition.

In his efforts to rehabilitate bodybuilding, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras spent years corresponding with leaders of the USSR Weightlifting Federation, the central Soviet sports press, and meeting with the Minister of Sports of the Lithuanian SSR, Zigmas Motiekaitis. Eventually, he decided to prepare and submit an official petition defending bodybuilding to the highest political authorities in Moscow. At that time, not a single well-known bodybuilding organizer, coach, or athlete supported this initiative — on the contrary, most advised him to abandon the idea.

It was through the efforts of Dr. Edmundas Daubaras that permission was granted to organize the “Amber Prix” tournament in Klaipėda. Later, under the leadership of Romanas Kalinauskas, Kaunas bodybuilders began organizing the traditional “Komsomol Cup” competitions. These initiatives continued until the collapse of the Soviet Union.

After Lithuania restored its independence, the “Amber Prix” tournament continuously received support from the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. On the occasion of the tournament’s 40th anniversary, the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania adopted a decision to provide state funding for the event through a separate line in the national budget.

Today, the “Amber Prix” is not only a part of sports history, but also an international symbol of bodybuilding and wellness that promotes Lithuania throughout the world. Throughout the history of the “Amber Prix” tournament, athletes from various countries around the world have participated, representing all continents. Exceptional records were also achieved: in 1998, as many as 91 city teams participated in the “Amber Prix” tournament; in 2008, athletes from 32 countries competed in the event held in Klaipėda; and in 2026, around 300 athletes took part in the tournament.

More information about these historical events and the activities of the international federation can be found on the official website: www.wff.lt

KLAIPĖDA’S TRADITION CONTINUED. The “Amber Prix” Tournament, 1969–1970.

In 1969, a strong wave of sporting enthusiasm swept across Lithuania, including the rapidly growing sport of bodybuilding. Public interest in this new athletic discipline was remarkable. Bodybuilding competitions were staged at prestigious venues such as the Vingis Park stage in Vilnius and the Kaunas Sports Hall, attracting significant public attention. The events were covered extensively by the press and even broadcast on national television.

The results of the earliest bodybuilding tournaments, however, should be viewed with some reservation. Judged by modern bodybuilding standards, the outcomes would likely have been very different. At the time, bodybuilding competitions always included a strength component, which encouraged competitors to invite weightlifters to participate. As a result, many early champions owed their victories primarily to outstanding performances in strength exercises rather than to muscular development or physique aesthetics.

This became particularly evident during the 1970 competition held in Kaliningrad (RSFSR), where Klaipėda weightlifters Algis Eidukas and Alfonsas Mėcius outperformed nearly all the bodybuilders and emerged victorious. Among the champions, only Antanas Mineikis could be considered a true bodybuilder in the modern sense, distinguished both by his impressive muscular physique and strong results in the strength events.

The 1969 “Amber Prix” tournament was held at the Palace of Culture of the Klaipėda Construction Trust. In keeping with tradition, the competition consisted of two parts: athletes first competed in strength exercises and later demonstrated their physiques.

The event featured musical accompaniment by the popular jazz ensemble “Žėrutis.” On this occasion, former rower and member of Klaipėda’s amateur circus group Antanas Mineikis not only won his height category but also captured the overall champion title. In his category, he defeated the favorite and reigning 1968 champion Leonas Pivoriūnas.

In the second height category, victory went to Klaipėda heavyweight athlete Alfonsas Mėčius, while the first category was won by Kaunas representative Giršas Langevičius. Prize-winning places were also secured by Klaipėda athletes Kestutis Rumsas, Petras Lenkauskas, Jonas Vaiciulis, and Bronius Kilinskas.

By 1970, the “Amber Prix” tournament attracted somewhat less attention, as Lithuania was hosting several other international bodybuilding events, while the national team celebrated a successful appearance at competitions in the Polish People’s Republic. The winners of the fourth “Amber Prix” tournament categories were Antanas Mineikis, Pranas Cesnulevicius, and Juras Janciauskas. The latter two, together with the 1968 overall “Amber Prix” champions Valdas Aliubavicius and Leonas Pivoriunas, represented the Vilnius sports club “Viktorija,” which had already gained recognition as the center of the emerging “Vilnius School of Bodybuilding.”

The school was led by the talented coach Ceslav Tamulevic (1945–2023), whose influence played an important role in the development of Lithuanian bodybuilding.

In 1970, Antanas Mineikis was declared the overall winner of the “Amber Prix” tournament. Among the prize winners were also Klaipeda athletes Nikolaj Caika, Kestutis Rumsas, and Genadij Sevelkov.

Following the 1970 tournament, Klaipeda organizer Antanas Jonuskutis withdrew from organizational activities. Until bodybuilding was officially banned in the Soviet Union and other socialist countries in 1973, the “Amber Prix” tournament was no longer continued.

Nevertheless, the popularity of bodybuilding continued to grow. In 1971 and 1972, two “USSR Bodybuilding Championships” were organized within the territory of the RSFSR. Lithuanian athletes participated in both events, although no representatives from Klaipėda took part. In 1971, Estonian athletes established the international tournament Georg Tenno Memorial, which became one of the most prominent traditions in Baltic bodybuilding.

More information is on International Site www.wff.lt