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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The “Amber Prize” Tournament. The book.

The “Amber Prix” (“Amber Prix International”, «Янтарный приз», 1968–2026) tournament is a living reflection of history, recalling a time when it was an important part of the Socialist world of sport, and today it unites the global bodybuilding community.

According to long-standing sporting traditions, among international competitions the “Amber Prix” ranks third in terms of continuity and historical significance—after N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) Mr. Universe (held since 1950) and JOE WEIDER’S Mr. Olympia (held since 1965).

Over the decades, athletes from many countries who have participated in this tournament take pride in their “Amber Prix” achievements, considering them among the most significant in their sporting careers.

As the tournament approaches its 60-th anniversary, a book is being prepared and will be presented to participants and guests of the 2027 event. Preparatory work on the publication is already underway.

Significant Events in the History of the “Amber Prize”

In the international history of the “Amber Prize,” several particularly important moments stand out:

The rise and the first tournaments – the initial stage during which the competition’s traditions were formed. 1973: the ban and persecution of bodybuilding – a difficult period for the sport. 1973–1978: illegal competitions organized by Dr. Edmundas Daubaras – a stage crucial for the survival of bodybuilding. Dr. Edmundas Daubaras’ struggle with the authorities against the ban on bodybuilding. Dr. Edmundas Daubaras’ petition to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the U.S.S.R. in Moscow, defending the legitimacy of bodybuilding. 1989–1991: Dr. Edmundas Daubaras’ struggle for independence in Lithuanian sport, carried out in the context of the “Amber Prize.” 2007: the 40-th anniversary of the tournament – the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania voted to fund the event from the state budget. 2011: recognition by the Vatican – a high evaluation of Dr. Edmundas Daubaras’ activities during the period of the bodybuilding ban. 2017: the 50-th anniversary of the tournament – a report about the event was broadcast by the global CNN television network. Since 2010, the “Amber Prize” logo has been used in competitions in Europe, Asia and South America.

More information is on International site www.wff.lt

WORLD BODYBUILDING ENCYCLOPEDIA

WORLD’S OLDEST TRADITIONAL BODYBUILDING CONTESTS

Looking through the years and evaluating the status, significance, and historical value of competitions, three of the world’s oldest traditional bodybuilding contests that are still held today can be distinguished:

Nr. 1 – N.A.B.B.A. Universe

Organizer: National Amateur Body-Builders' Association (N.A.B.B.A.) Location: United Kingdom Established: 1950 First Overall Winner: Steve Reeves (USA)

Nr. 2 – Mr. Olympia

Founder: Joe Weider Location: United States Established: 1965 First Overall Winner: Larry Scott (USA)

Nr. 3 – Amber Prix International (“Amber Prize”)

Organizer: World Fitness Federation / World Bodybuilding Federation Location: Lithuania Established: 1968 First Overall Winner: Leonas Pivoriūnas (Lithuania)

Remark

These competitions are considered the oldest traditional bodybuilding contests due to their historical continuity, international recognition, and significant contribution to the development of bodybuilding worldwide.

More information is on International Site www.wff.lt

WFF-WBBF International – More Than Five Decades of International Sport Leadership.

World Fitness Federation (WFF – International) and World Bodybuilding Federation (WBBF – International) represent a long-standing international sports movement whose history dates back to 1968. For more than five decades, the federations have worked to develop, organize and promote fitness, bodybuilding and related disciplines on the international stage.

Today, WFF-WBBF International brings together 141 member countries, representing a broad international network of athletes, national organizations, sports professionals and enthusiasts. This extensive geographical presence reflects the federation’s long-term commitment to international cooperation and the development of organized sport.

Throughout its history, WFF-WBBF International has continuously expanded its competition system and introduced new sporting disciplines in response to the development of modern fitness and bodybuilding. One of the important examples of this approach is Model Fitness, which became part of the federation’s international competition program in 2004.

The introduction of Model Fitness was another step in the continuing development of the WFF-WBBF International competition system. The federation created an international platform for athletes whose preparation combines physical conditioning, harmonious proportions, aesthetics, stage presentation, elegance and professional performance.

For WFF-WBBF International, the development of Model Fitness has been part of a broader mission: to provide athletes from different countries with an established international competition environment and opportunities to represent their national organizations at the highest level.

Since the first Model Fitness World Championship in 2004, the discipline has developed within the WFF-WBBF International system for more than two decades. The World Championship has brought together athletes representing countries from different regions of Europe and beyond, creating a continuous international sporting tradition.

The history of the WFF-WBBF Model Fitness World Championship demonstrates the geographical reach of the federation. Absolute World Champions have represented Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Poland.

Behind these names and titles stands the long-term organizational work of WFF-WBBF International: international championships, cooperation with national organizations, development of competition structures and the creation of opportunities for athletes to compete on an international stage.

A particularly notable chapter in the championship's history belongs to Eva Martinkova of Slovakia, who became Overall World Champion four times – in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012. Her achievements form an important part of the historical record of the WFF-WBBF Model Fitness World Championship.

The Baltic region has also played a significant role in the federation's Model Fitness history. Lithuanian athletes became World Champions in 2007, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2020, while Latvian athletes achieved a particularly notable sequence of victories between 2021 and 2024.

These results illustrate the international character of WFF-WBBF competitions. Athletes representing different national organizations meet within one federation, compete according to an established international competition system and contribute to a common sporting history.

The 2025 championship added another chapter to this history, with Olga Bogacz of Poland becoming the Overall World Champion.

However, the history of WFF-WBBF International cannot be measured only by the names of individual champions. The broader significance lies in the federation’s continuity, international structure and long-term development of sport.

Since its foundation in 1968, WFF-WBBF International has continued to build an international platform where athletes can develop their careers, national organizations can participate in international competition and new disciplines can become part of an established global sporting system.

Model Fitness is one example of this long-term development. By introducing the discipline to its international championship program in 2004 and maintaining the World Championship tradition through 2025, WFF-WBBF International established a distinct chapter in the history of this discipline.

The federation’s history is therefore a history not only of champions, medals and championships, but also of international organization, sporting development and cooperation between countries.

With 141 member countries and a history extending back to 1968, WFF-WBBF International continues to represent an international sporting structure built on decades of experience.

The WFF-WBBF International Model Fitness World Championship, established in 2004, is one part of this much broader legacy. It reflects the federation’s continuing role in developing new competition formats, providing international opportunities for athletes and bringing national organizations together through sport.

More than five decades after its establishment, the WFF-WBBF International story continues to be written through its athletes, national organizations, championships and international sporting community.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt

Baltic Cup International — 33 Years of Champions.

The history of the Baltic Cup International overall winners from 1994 to 2026 reflects more than three decades of bodybuilding and fitness development in the Baltic region.

The results of the Baltic Cup International, organized by the World Fitness Federation (W.F.F. International) and World Body Building Federation (W.B.B.F. International), provide an opportunity to look not only at the names of the champions, but also at the development of competition, the changing geography of victories, and Lithuania’s place in the history of the event.

From 1994 to 2026, athletes from several European countries became Baltic Cup overall champions. However, when the entire period is analyzed, one tendency stands out particularly clearly: the contribution of Lithuanian athletes to the history of the Baltic Cup is exceptional.

The Dominance of Lithuanian Women

Lithuania’s success is most clearly visible in the women’s category.

Over the 33-year period, Lithuanian athletes became women’s overall champions 15 times. This means that almost half of all women’s overall titles during the period went to representatives of Lithuania.

This achievement is particularly impressive because the competition has always been international. Lithuanian athletes competed against strong representatives of Russia, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and other countries.

Russian athletes won eight women’s titles, while Latvian representatives won seven. Estonia and Finland each recorded one overall victory.

Lithuania’s dominance became especially visible at the beginning of the 21st century. Between 2007 and 2013, Lithuanian athletes won the overall women’s title six times in seven years.

Several names stand out in the history of the event. Ilona Kokos became overall champion in 2008 and 2012, while Vilma Asijaviciene won the title in 2013.

In recent years, the competition has once again become particularly interesting. In 2019, the title went to Estonia’s Valentina Tjutjavina. In 2022, Finland’s Hanna Skytta became champion, while in 2024 and 2025 the title was won twice in succession by Latvia’s Jelena Ivanova.

However, Lithuania’s winning tradition continued.

In 2026, Lithuania’s Sirle Lileleht became the Baltic Cup International women’s overall champion.

Thus, the latest chapter in the tournament’s history was once again written with a Lithuanian victory.

The Men’s Category — Greater Competition

The men’s history is somewhat different.

Lithuania also leads in the number of victories, with Lithuanian athletes becoming overall champions 10 times. However, the advantage over the other countries is much smaller than in the women’s category.

Representatives of Latvia and Russia have each won seven men’s titles, while Estonian athletes have won five. In 2025, Poland’s Szymon Lubecki became the overall champion.

Throughout the history of the men’s competition, there has been a constant change of leaders. Victories have alternated between athletes from Lithuania, Latvia, Russia and Estonia.

This is why the men’s side of the Baltic Cup history is characterized by particularly strong competition.

Dainius Dzikevicius — A Remarkable Story

One of the most prominent names in the entire history of the event is Dainius Dzikevicius.

The Lithuanian athlete became Baltic Cup International overall champion three times — in 2007, 2019 and 2020.

What makes this achievement particularly impressive is that more than ten years separated his first victory from his later successes.

This is not simply a statistical achievement. It is evidence of sporting longevity, high professional standards and the ability to return to the highest level after many years.

Another notable Lithuanian athlete is Andrius Pauliukevicius, who became overall champion in 2011 and 2013.

Among the earliest champions in the presented archive, Algirdas Kilciauskas stands out. He won the first two men’s championships recorded in the list, in 1994 and 1995.

The Three Baltic States — The Foundation of the Tournament

When all the results are analyzed, the importance of the three Baltic states — Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia — becomes particularly clear.

In the women’s category, athletes from these three countries collectively won 23 of the 33 titles, or approximately 70 percent of all overall victories.

In the men’s category, representatives of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia won 22 of the 33 titles, accounting for roughly two-thirds of all victories.

These figures demonstrate that the Baltic Cup is not simply a tournament held in the Baltic region. Throughout its history, athletes from the Baltic states have formed the core of the competitive field.

At the same time, the event has never been limited exclusively to the Baltic countries. Russian athletes have been among the strongest competitors for many years, while in recent years champions from Finland and Poland have also emerged.

Three Decades — Different Sporting Eras

Looking at the history from 1994 to 2026, several different periods can be identified.

During the mid and late 1990s, Russian women were particularly strong, while Lithuania was simultaneously beginning to establish itself as a major force.

During the 2000s, the position of Lithuanian women became even stronger. This period can be considered one of the most significant eras of Lithuanian dominance in the women’s history of the Baltic Cup.

In the men’s category, meanwhile, competition continued between Lithuania, Latvia, Russia and Estonia. There was no prolonged dominance by a single country, making each victory particularly significant.

From 2010 to 2020, Lithuania remained very strong. Athletes from other countries also won titles during this period, but Lithuanian competitors consistently remained among the leading contenders.

The most recent years reveal another important trend: the Baltic Cup is becoming increasingly international.

In 2022, the women’s title went to Finland’s Hanna Skytta. In 2024 and 2025, Latvia’s Jelena Ivanova became champion. In 2025, the men’s title was won by Poland’s Szymon Lubecki.

However, 2026 once again became a year of Lithuania: Sirle Lileleht won the women’s title, while Tadas Jefisovas became the men’s champion.

2026 — A Symbolic Return to the Top

The results of 2026 are particularly symbolic.

In the women’s category, Lithuania’s Sirle Lileleht became the overall champion. In the men’s category, the top position went to Lithuanian athlete Tadas Jefisovas.

Therefore, in 2026 both Baltic Cup International overall titles went to representatives of Lithuania.

This is more than the result of a single competition. When viewed within the context of the entire 33-year history, the success of 2026 becomes another confirmation of Lithuania’s strong sporting tradition.

What Does the History of the Tournament Tell Us?

The history of the Baltic Cup International allows several important conclusions to be drawn.

First, Lithuania is one of the leading countries — and, based on the total number of titles in the presented archive, the most successful country.

Second, Lithuania’s advantage is particularly evident in the women’s category. Fifteen victories over 33 years represent not a series of isolated successes, but a long-standing sporting tradition and continuity between generations of athletes.

Third, the men’s category has been characterized by much stronger competition. For many years, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia and Estonia have been closely matched rivals.

Fourth, the history of the tournament provides examples of remarkable sporting longevity. Dainius Dzikevicius’ three victories, achieved at different stages of his career, are one of the clearest examples of an athlete returning to the highest level.

Finally, the Baltic Cup International is a living document of the history of bodybuilding and fitness in the Baltic region.

Over 33 years, athletes, generations, countries and the balance of power have changed. Yet one fundamental tradition has remained — strong international competition for the overall championship title.

Conclusion

From the first victory recorded in the presented archive, Algirdas Kilciauskas’ triumph in 1994, to the victories of Sirle Lileleht and Tadas Jefisovas in 2026, more than three decades have passed.

It is a story of several generations of athletes, intense competition and a constantly changing sporting landscape across the Baltic region.

Yet when the entire period is viewed from a historical perspective, one conclusion becomes clear:

Lithuania holds a special place in the history of the Baltic Cup International.

The achievements of Lithuanian women are particularly impressive and have become one of the defining traditions of the championship. In the men’s category, Lithuania’s path to victory has been considerably more competitive, but Lithuanian athletes have nevertheless remained among the leaders.

And the results of 2026 — when both overall titles went to representatives of Lithuania — provide a fitting symbolic conclusion to another chapter in the history of the Baltic Cup International.

33 years of history. Dozens of champions. Several generations of athletes. And the name of Lithuania appearing again and again among the strongest.