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

ASIA AND MIDDLE EAST NEWS.

HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.

Working since 1968 W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation) International unites today members from 141 Countries. Some time ago Bahrain joined the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. .In difference to other International Bodybuilding Structures under the leadership of W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. President DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International seeks recognition of the U.N. (United Nations), I.O.C. (International Olympic Committee) and W.A.D.A. (World Anti Doping Agency). W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. knows the way to reach these goals. Under the basis of the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. the International Sport University (I.S.U.) was created in 2015. Since 2017 the I.S.U. university is an associated member of the U.N.E.S.C.O. organization which works under the U.N..

ASIA BODYBUILDING LEADERS.

We see evident Asia bodybuilding leaders during the last period of time. Under the leadership of International W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Vice President LALIT KUMAR SONI - they are: TOLGA MURAT BALIKCI (Turkey), ALI REZA RASA (Iran), RAMANDEEP SINGH (India), ALLAOUDIN BHATTI (Pakistan).

2018 OFFICIAL MEETING IN SWITZERLAND.

To meet high representatives of Arab Countries in 2018 President W.F.F. -W.B.B.F. International DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was invited to Switzerland. Arabs wanted W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. to organize big International contest in Zurich. Well known Companies of Switzerland were ready to finance the project together with the representatives of Dubai. The venue of the contets was chosen exceptional - old castle on the hill of Zurich. Arabs wanted this contest to be repeated in the main Capitals of the World. Their wish was the only one - ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER must be present at the banquet. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS addressed his friends in Hollywood who were in close relations with ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER and all was done well. Unfortunately at the same days ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER was operated on his heart. He isolated himself from the people for several months and we could not reach him.  We hope to fulfill these plans in future.

ASIA AND ARAB COUNTRIES.

First time we got acquainted with Asia and Arab Countries in 1989 when DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was invited as Personal Guest of the I.F.B.B. President BEN WEIDER to the World Championship in Paris (France). Then BEN WEIDER presented DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to all I.F.B.B. National Presidents. The same was done in 1990 in Malaysia (I.F.B.B. World Championship)  and in New York (“Miss Olympia”). Twenty five years ago WEIDER brothers JOE and BEN left bodybuilding. Then they sold the I.F.B.B. federation, “Olympia” contest and all their magazines. IF.B.B. started inner wars. I.F.B.B. split in two parts. I.F.B.B. Vice President PAUL CHUA (Singapore) and I.F.B.B. lawer and finance director ALEX BAURE (Austria) and Prince of Dubai OSAMA AL SHAFAR were fighting with RAFAEL SANTONJA (Spain) who took the lead in the I.F.B.B.. The case went to court in London. RAFAEL SANTONJA lost the case but remained in the I.F.B.B.. Then PAUL CHUA with forty Arab and Asia Countries left the I.F.B.B. and created his own federation. Then PAUL CHUA and OSAMA AL SHAFAR wanted to join the W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. and invited DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to London. Unfortunately DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was organizing W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Europe Championship in Lithuania at the same days and could not come to London.

INDIA AND THAILAND.

Popularizing sport around the World DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS visited nineteen times India and four times Thailand. Every time various International events were organized as well: Asia Championships, “Universe” and “World Grand Prix” Contests, meetings with High Governmental officials.

TURKEY, PAKISTAN AND IRAN.

Since 2006 bodybuilders of Turkey, Pakistan and Iran are participating at the W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. International events. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS visited Turkey many times. Also he was on Official Visit to Iran where he had meetings with sport leaders at the Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Leaders of Pakistan bodybuilding DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS met at the International W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. events in Ukraine, Thailand, Russia and Belarus.

BODYBUILDING FEDERATION OF ARAB COPUNTRIES AND W.F.F.-W.B.B.F..

Some time ago asking for cooperation bodybuilding leader of Lebanon DSc. Professor FAWZI KHODARI addressed the International W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Headquarters. FAWZI KHODARI is old representative of the I.F.B.B. federation and also he is the Chairman of the Arab Physical Culture Federation (A.P.C.F.).

FRIEND OF WEIDER BROTHERS FROM YEMEN.

Some time ago a Yemen bodybuilding leader  DSc. NAJEEB AL JAWFI addressed International W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. President DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. He feels pity that after deaths of WEIDER brothers JOE and BEN World’s bodybuilding goes down. A hundred of bodybuilding federations make mess in the sport, including I.F.B.B. of RAFAEL SANTONJA and N.P.C. of JIM MANION. Sport is finished and everybody became crazy about business and money. DSc. NAJEEB AL JAWFI  likes the initiatives of the W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. International about the way to get back official recognition of our sport, including the recognition of I.O.C. (International Olympic Committee). today the only W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. speaks truth to athletes and does not make “festivals” and “carnavals” of bodybuilding.

ASIA BODYBUILDERS AIM TO PARTICIPATE IN LITHUANIA.

Several years in a row Egypt, Iraque and Pakistan bodybuilders try to participate at the W.F.F. -W.B.B.F. International events in Europe. European visa politics is very strict and make big obstacles. In 2026 we hope to meet delegations of India, Japan and China. More information is on International Site www.wff.lt

World Bodybuilding History.

WFF-WBBF PROFESSIONAL DIVISION FOR ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES.

From the 1998 Palanga Congress to the International Professional Stage

The WFF-WBBF International Congress held in Palanga in 1998 became an important milestone in the history of sport for people with disabilities. Following the decisions adopted at the Congress, the World WFF-WBBF Federation (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation) began systematically developing activities involving athletes with disabilities. According to the federation's historical sources, continuous work with athletes with disabilities began in 1999.

This was an important step from individual athlete appearances toward a consistent international competition system for athletes with disabilities, in which athletes could compete for World and European Championship titles and participate in international tournaments.

The First Generation of Champions

The first international WFF-WBBF champions among athletes with disabilities were Garib Jounis (Netherlands), Torsten Petersen (Denmark), Aleksandr Koroliov (Estonia), and Sergej Beglik (Lithuania).

A special place in this history belongs to Lithuanian athlete Sergej Beglik (Lithuania). The federation's historical sources emphasize that he won all the official international competitions that were possible at the time — the World and European Championships, as well as the international “Universe” tournament. Then his trainer was the best Lithuania bodybuilder of all times Natalija Murnikoviene.

The official WFF-WBBF historical list of champions shows that Torsten Petersen (Denmark) became World Champion in 1999, 2000 and 2002, Aleksandr Koroliov (Estonia) in 2001, Sergej Beglik (Lithuania) in 2003, and Garib Younis (Netherlands) in 2004.

This first generation of athletes laid the foundations for the international WFF-WBBF tradition in sport for people with disabilities.

An International Sports Movement

In subsequent years, numerous high-level international athletes from different countries emerged in the WFF-WBBF division for athletes with disabilities.

Among them were:

Mickael Louvel (France), Peter Smit (South Africa), Tolga Murat Balikci (Turkey), Dian Michailov (Bulgaria), Petar Milenkovič (Serbia), Anastasia Belkovskaja (Russia), Gustavo Rodrigues (Brazil), Karol Milewski (Poland), Mariusz Krzystof Kupczak (Poland), Grzegorz Dabrowski (Poland), Aleksandr Golub (Ukraine), Nias Izmailov (Ukraine), Oleg Abornev (Ukraine), Oleg Pileckij (Ukraine), Aleksandr Rossomakin (Ukraine), Ravinder Singh (India), Anand Arnold (India), and Aleksejs Petkevics (Latvia).

Lithuania was represented by Viktoras Topolis (Lithuania), Nikolajus Mironovas (Lithuania), Arturas Krutulis (Lithuania), Genadijus Zametaškinas (Lithuania), Karolis Stončius (Lithuania), and Artūras Bolyčevas (Lithuania).

This list of athletes demonstrates the true international character of the division: it represents countries from Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.

The World Champions’ Chain

The historical list of World Champions published by WFF-WBBF shows a consistent succession of champions from different countries. Following the first generation, the World Champions were:

Oleg Abornev (Ukraine) — 2014; Karol Milewski (Poland) — 2015; Anand Arnold (India) — 2016; Mariusz Krzystof Kupczak (Poland) — 2017 and 2019; Tolga Murat Balikci (Turkey) — 2018; Aleksejs Petkevics (Latvia) — 2020, 2021 and 2022; Grzegorz Piotr Dabrowski (Poland) — 2023.

This succession of champions clearly demonstrates how the geographical distribution of leading athletes in disability sport changed over more than two decades — from athletes representing Lithuania, Denmark, Estonia and the Netherlands to champions from Ukraine, Poland, India, Turkey and Latvia.

The Professional Division — A New Historical Stage

Another essential step for WFF-WBBF was the creation of a professional division for athletes with disabilities.

The Executive Council of the federation decided to establish the WFF-WBBF Professional Division for Athletes with Disabilities.

It consists of two main categories:

general category for professional athletes with disabilities; category for professional athletes with disabilities competing in wheelchairs.

Athletes who meet the WFF-WBBF professional requirements may receive a WFF-WBBF Professional Card (“Pro Card”) and participate in professional competitions.

This represented a qualitatively new stage. An athlete with a disability became not only a participant in international amateur competitions, but also an athlete within the professional sports system.

In 2018, Tolga Murat Balikci (Turkey) became the first-ever WFF-WBBF World Professional Champion among athletes with disabilities. In the same year, he also won the World Amateur Championship among all participating athletes.

Professional Champions

Among the most prominent WFF-WBBF professional athletes in disability sport were:

Anand Arnold (India); Aleksejs Petkevics (Latvia); Tolga Murat Balikci (Turkey); Mickael Louvel (France); Kamil Kowalczyk (Poland).

The international character of the professional division continued in later years.

14 Countries — One Sporting History

The historical list of WFF-WBBF athletes in disability sport represents 14 countries:

the Netherlands, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, South Africa, Turkey, Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine, Brazil, Poland, France, India, and Latvia.

This is not merely a statistical fact. The geography of 14 countries demonstrates that the WFF-WBBF disability sport division has grown into an international sports system, bringing together representatives of different continents and sporting schools.

A special place in this history belongs to Lithuania. It was not only the home country of one of the first champions — Sergej Beglik (Lithuania) — but also one of the countries from which several high-level international athletes emerged. Furthermore, the international congress held in Palanga in 1998 is identified in the federation's history as an important starting point for further work with athletes with disabilities.

Conclusion

The history of WFF-WBBF disability sport is not merely a history of World Champions, medals and titles.

It is a journey of more than two decades — from the decisions of the 1998 Palanga Congress to an international professional sports system in which athletes from 14 countries competed for World Championship titles and professional status.

During this period, several generations of athletes emerged. Among them were Torsten Petersen (Denmark), Garib Jounis (Netherlands), Aleksandr Koroliov (Estonia), Sergej Beglik (Lithuania), Oleg Abornev (Ukraine), Karol Milewski (Poland), Anand Arnold (India), Tolga Murat Balikci (Turkey), Mariusz Krzystof Kupczak (Poland), Aleksejs Petkevics (Latvia), Grzegorz Piotr Dabrowski (Poland) and many other athletes who became part of WFF-WBBF disability sport history.

The most important message of this history is that disability is not an obstacle to achieving the highest level of sporting excellence. An athlete with a disability can be a World Champion, a professional, a representative of their country, and an equal member of the international sporting community.

Therefore, the history of the WFF-WBBF disability sport division can be viewed as a long-term project of sporting excellence, internationalism, professionalism and inclusion.

Its origins are linked to Lithuania, while its achievements belong to the entire international sporting community.

The History of Champions — More Than a List of Titles

WFF-WBBF historical data records a consistent succession of World Champions among athletes with disabilities. It includes athletes from different generations: from Torsten Petersen, Garib Jounis and Sergej Beglik to Tolga Murat Balikci, Karol Milewski, Mariusz Krzystof Kupczak, Anand Arnold, Aleksejs Petkevics and Grzegorz Dabrowski.

Several athletes stand out particularly. In 2018, Tolga Murat Balikci became the first-ever WFF-WBBF World Professional Champion among athletes with disabilities. Aleksejs Petkevics subsequently emerged as one of the most prominent athletes with disabilities in the world, while Mariusz Krzystof Kupczak won the World Championship title more than once.

The Professional Division — A New Historical Stage

Another important step was the creation of the WFF-WBBF Professional Division for athletes with disabilities. By decision of the federation's Executive Council, a professional system was established, providing top-level athletes with the opportunity to move from amateur to professional sport.

The professional division includes two main categories:

general category for professional athletes with disabilities; category for professional athletes with disabilities competing in wheelchairs.

Athletes who meet the WFF-WBBF professional criteria may receive a WFF-WBBF Professional Card (“Pro Card”) and participate in professional competitions.

This was a fundamental change: an athlete with a disability became not only a competition participant, but also a part of the professional sports system.

Professional Champions

Among the most prominent WFF-WBBF professional athletes in disability sport are:

Anand Arnold (India); Aleksejs Petkevics (Latvia); Tolga Murat Balikci (Turkey); Mickael Louvel (France); Kamil Kowalczyk (Poland).

The professional division remains part of the WFF-WBBF competition system today. In more recent competition data published by the federation, the “Disabled Bodybuilding” category is listed among the professional categories.

The Main Conclusion of WFF-WBBF Disability Sport History

The history of WFF-WBBF disability sport is more than the history of individual champions and medals.

From the decisions adopted in Palanga in 1998 to the creation of the professional division, a journey was made from individual international appearances to an organized and international sports system.

During this period, several generations of champions emerged, while athletes from Lithuania, Europe, Asia, Africa and South America demonstrated that disability is not an obstacle to achieving the highest sporting results, becoming a World Champion, or attaining professional status.

The most important message of this history is that an athlete with a disability is not an exception here. They are an athlete striving for the highest level of sporting excellence, with the right to international recognition, professional status, and a place on the world sporting stage.

Therefore, the history of the WFF-WBBF disability sport division can be regarded as a long-term project of inclusion, sporting professionalism and international competition, whose origins are associated with Lithuania and, in particular, with the 1998 international congress in Palanga

WFF-WBBF International since 1968

Trainer‘s and Coaches seminar since 1986

September 27, 2026, Klaipeda, Lithuania

Official information: www.wff.lt; www.worldfitness.lt