BREAKING SPORT NEWS.

FIRST FITNESS FEDERATION WITHOUT DOPING.

Some time ago a new national fitness organization was registered in Lithuania. That is the “Lithuania Sport Fitness Federation” (L.S.F.F., “Lietuvos sportinio fitneso federacija”). In the nearest future federation will join the World Anti Doping Agency (W.A.D.A.) World Anti Doping Code. Federation declares fitness sport without doping. Federation invites representatives of all possible non doping fitness activities to join it.

Federation stands on position that real fitness sport is without doping when bodybuilding at the same time means total doping. In order to fool the sport society all bodybuilding federations use to hide themselves behind “fitness” name. They present various “fitness categories” which in real are doping bodybuilding categories and could not survive without doping.

More information is on International Site www.wff.lt

1990 SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING NEWS.

1990 I.F.B.B. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, MALAYSIA.

In 1990 U.S.S.R. bodybuilding was tightly connected with the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders). In 1990 I.F.B.B. federation was celebrating it‘s 20 years anyversary (I.F.B.B. was created by the F.I.H.C. (F.I.H.C., Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturiste) General Secretary OSCAR STATE in 1970 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia). Most all sports athletes of Lithuania did not participe at the official U.S.S.R. Championships and the U.S.S.R. National Teams under request of the National Olympic Committee of the Lithuanian SSR (L.T.O.K., Lietuvos Tautinis Olimpinis Komitetas, Национальный Олимпийский комитет Литовской ССР). But not all bodybuilders followed this N.O.C. request. In 1990 U.S.S.R. bodybuilders participated at the I.F.B.B. World Championship in Kuala Lampur (Malaysia). As it was in 1989 during the I.F.B.B. World Championship in Paris (France) DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was invited to Malaysia as a personal quest of the I.F.B.B. President BEN WEIDER.  As it was in 1989 during the I.F.B.B. World Championship in Paris (France) DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS could take any Lithuanian SSR represitative to accompany him. This time DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS took RAMUTIS KAIRAITIS with him as in 1989 Vice President «U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation»  («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.») ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS behaved rude in Paris. Representatives of the Lithuanian SSR went to Malaysia separate of the U.S.S.R. National Team.

One hundred bodybuilders participated at the 1990 I.F.B.B. World Championship. The contest was very pompastic. For organization of the contest was done huge work of the I.F.B.B. Vice President PAUL CHUA (Singapore). As USA sport specialist BOB GOLDMAN explained, the Malaysia Prime Minister MOHAMAD MAHATHIR gave 3.400 million USA dollars state money for the contest. Also he was present at the competition too. World Championship Category Winners were: EL AMAWY (Egypt), JOSEF DAWSON (USA), WILHELM JASINOWSKI (Germany), ALQ GURLAY (USA), AHIM ALBRECHT (Germany).

1990 I.F.B.B. „MISS OLYMPIA“, NEW YORK.

After 1990 I.F.B.B. World Championship in Malaysia in order to continue the dialogue with DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS the I.F.B.B. President BEN WEIDER invited him as his personal quest to 1990 I.F.B.B. professional „Miss Olympia“ in New York (USA). That was already the 11-th I.F.B.B. Pro „Miss Olympia“ competition. Many top Professional women bodybuilders left the sport as the new „huge muscle“ generation came on Professional stage. Big muscle road started with LENDA MURRAY. Again as it was at the 1989 I.F.B.B. World Championship in Paris (France) and as it was at the 1990 I.F.B.B. World Championship in Kuala Lampur (Malaysia) BEN WEIDER agreed that DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS for negotiations will take one more representative of the Lithuanian Republic. This time DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS took together the 1981 „Amber Prix International“ („Gintarinis prizas“, «Янтарный приз», 1968 – 2025) and Category Winner of the 1988 „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Cup“ («Кубок С.С.С.Р. по культуризму»)  Champion SAULIUS MISEVICIUS. 1990 „Miss Olympia“ was held at the New York „Beacon Theatre“.

The negotiations about Lithuania entering the I.F.B.B. separate from the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“  («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.»)  were held in New York „Hemsley“ hotel. The I.F.B.B. President BEN WEIDER informed DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS about this decission to folow the rules of the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ and not to alow Lithuania to enter the I.F.B.B. steping ove the U.S.S.R..

The places at the 1990 I.F.B.B. „Miss Olympia“ were as it is: first Lenda Murray (USA), second Bev Francis (Australia), third Anja Schreiner (Germany), fourth Laura Creavalle (USA), fifth Jackie Paisley (USA), sixth Sharon Arrildt (USA).

1990. W.B.F.. VINCE MAC MAHON.

In 1990 there was a big crisis in the I.F.B.B.. I.F.B.B. had no „federation patriots“. Nearly all I.F.B.B. professionals left I.F.B.B.. very active in the new W.B.F. (World Bodybuilding Federation“) were TOM PLATZ and LOU FERRIGNO. Also there were somehow DANNY PADILLA and TONY PEARSON. Famous Pro bodybuildewrs entered newly done federation W.B.F. which was created by American VINCE MAC MAHON. VINCE MAC MAHON made no secret – he wanted to make business of it. In order to collect best professional bodybuilders he declared an uncomparibably very big prize money for bodybuilders. „Joe Weider‘s Olympia“ could not compete with VINCE MAC MAHON‘s  prize money. The biggest success was for GARY STRYDOM. He took 275 000 USA dollars then. He got real money. It was not like it is now – they declare big prize money at Pro contests and athletes receive nothing at all. It is a very good way to fool athlets. Do You know at least one Pro bodybuilder who became rich by winning prize money at contests? We mean real prize money, not of selling „supplements“, narcotics or selling even themselves... (Full Article on Global Site www.wff.lt )

1990. I.F.B.B. EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP.

It was the first time in the history of the U.S.S.R. to hold European Bodybuilding Championship. It was done in 1990 in Leningrad (R.S.F.S.R.). The Category Winners were: women - SUKUPOVA EVA (Czechoslovakian S.S.R.), KLIEBER BETINA (F.R.G., Federal Republic of Germany), MONTEMAGGI CLAUDIA (Italy); men – GROLMUS PAVOL (Czechoslovakian S.S.R.), CARROLL JOHN (Ireland), BARDONI ANGELO (Italy), PAAVO AIN (U.S.S.R., Estonian SSR), HARTL STEFAN (F.R.G.). Full Article on Global Site www.wff.lt ).

1990. „AMBER PRIX INTERNATIONAL“.

There were two important happenings around the1990 „Amber Prix International“ (Gintarinis prizas“, «Янтарный приз», 1968 – 2024). The first one was since 1988 lasting negotiations of the Lithuania to enter the I.F.B.B. federation separately from the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.»). Then the process was led by DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. The second one was big wish of the „U.S.S.R. Ministry of Sport“ («Министерство спорта С.С.С.Р.») not to alow Lithuania to enter the I.F.B.B.. This was the reason that together with the 1990 „Amber Prix International“ the „U.S.S.R. Junior Bodybuilding Championship“ («Чемпионат С.С.С.Р. по культуризму среди молодёжи») was held in Klaipeda (Lithuanian Republic). At the contest participated 62 bodybuilders of the National Teams of the folowing countries: R.S.F.S.R., Ukraine SSR, belorussian SSR, Latvian SSR, Lithuanian SSR, Estonian SSR, Kazachstan SSR, Georgian SSR. The Category Winners were: Juniors - SLIVKO SERGEJ (Сливко Сергей, Ukraine SSR), JAKOVLEV PAVEL (Яковлев Павел, R.S.F.S.R.), SOLODKOV KIRIL (Солодков Кирилл, R.S.F.S.R.), KABANOVSKIJ DENIS (Кабановский Денис, R.S.F.S.R.), GAVRILOVIC SERGEJ (Гаврилович Сергей, Belorussian SSR). Over All Junior Champion was proclamed KIRIL SOLODKOV. Winners of the Men Categories were: GORELIK EUGENE (Горелик Евгений, Lithuanian Republic), BARTKEVICIUS ARVYDAS (Lithuanian Republic), ZUR OLEG (Жур Олег, Lithuanian Republic), REPSYS EDMUNDAS (Lithuanian Republic), KAZAKEVICIUS REMIGIJUS (Lithuanian Republic). Over All Winner was OLEG ZUR. First time in the history of the „Amber Prix International“ women bodybuilders participated at the contest. Category Winners were: JEGOROVA ANNA (Егорова Анна, Lithuanian Republic), MURNIKOVIENE NATALIA (Мурниковене Духович Наталия, Duchovic, Lithuanian Republic). Title of the Over All Winner went to NATALIA MURNIKOVIENE. Full Article on Global Site www.wff.lt )

1990 U.S.S.R. ECONOMIC BLOCKADE TO LITHUANIA.

D.D.R. BODYBUILDERS WANT TO RUIN BLOCKADE.

Socialist Republic of Lithuania was a part of the U.S.S.R. for several decades. On March 11, 1990 Lithuanian Republic restored it‘s independance. In April, 1990 the U.S.S.R. started economic blockade to young Lithuanian Republic. The blockade lasted 75 days. Most goods could not reach the Country. Especially gasoline and oil products.

Communicating with representatives of various countries DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was explaining to them the political situation of Lithuania.

Aiming to stop the blockade bodybuilders of the D.D.R. (Deutsche Demokratische Republik, G.D.R., German Democratic Republic, Г.Д.Р., Германская Демократическая Республика) sent DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS a number of telegrammes and offered help for the Lithuanian Republic. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS connected with the Government of the republic Lithuania and spoke with the Prime Minister KAZIMIERA PRUNSKIENE. The Prime Minister said „lithuania needs no help. We will manage to solve the problem ourselves“.

1990. U.S.S.R. BODYBUILDERS VISITED USA.

In 1990 the U.S.S.R. bodybuilders visited USA. A number of theatric show competitions were organized for them. The event was paid by BILLY PAX. At the same days of the visit the 1990 I.F.B.B. „Miss Olympia“ was held in New York. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS met the representatives of the U.S.S.R. at one of Manhattan‘s hotels. That were R.S.F.R.S. athletes VELIKOIVANENKO BORIS (Борис Великоиваненко), FATEJEV GRIGORIJ (Григорий Фатеев), JASINOVSKI NIKOLAJ (Николай Ясиновский), IVANIUK ALEKSANDR (Александр Иванюк), bodybuilder of the Lithuanian Republic GORELIK EUGENE (Евгений Горелик), sportsmen of the Belorussian SSR SKARUB VLADIMIR (Владимир Шкарубо), ALEKSANDROVIC VLADIMIR (Владимир Александрович), BOGDANOVIC VALERIJ (Валерий Богданович), GRISANOV NIKOLAJ (Николай Гришанов) and bodybuilders of the Estonian SSR UIT INA (Инна Уйт), PAAVO AIN (Айн Пааво).

1990 SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL CONTESTS.

There were comparitivelly many bodybuilding contests in the Socialist countries in 1990. As the end of the USSR and the Socualist system was closer most bodybuilders lived in their dreames and tried to reach the „Western“ competitions. They could do it only being among the National Team of the USSR. As they were not among the national teams that was the reason that most bodybuilders had to participate at the International Contests in the Socialist countries. In 1990 bodybuilders of Klaipeda bodybuilding federation participated at the competitions in Oradea (Romanian SSR), berlin („Berliner Bar“, GDR, German Democratic republic), Marjanke Lazne and Ruzomberok (Czechoslovakian SSR, „Sandow“, „Trener“, „Diana“).

1990. MAGAZINES OF DSC. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS SPREAD THROUGH THE WORLD.

Bodybuilding was popular sport then. Athletes needed methodical knowlidge. Since DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS started his bodybuilding way in 1969 he translated articles from books ang magazines. The books were a seldom happening as the „Iron Wal“ did not alow it. This way the first magazine „Arnold Schwarzenegger Recommends“ („Arnoldas Švarcenegeris rekomenduoja“ «Арнольд Шварценеггер рекомендует») was printed and spread in 2 000 000 issues. Several decades it was the „ABC“ for several generations. This kind of popularity has no other bodybuilding magazine in the World. After „Arnold Schwarzenegger Recommends“ other magazines were printed and successfully distrubuted: „Training Programmes of World‘s Best Bodybuilders“ («Системы упражнений лучших культуристов мира», „Geriausių pasaulio kultūristų pratimų sistemos“),  „Bodybuilder“ («Культурист», „Kultūristas“), „Bodybuilding Stars Recommends“ („Kultūrizmo žvaigždės rekomenduoja“, «Звёзды культуризма рекомендуют») and other magazines. Totaly 37 magazines.

Best and short words abou the magazines of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS were said by a famous Russian bodybuilder VALERIJ LOKTIONOV: „then the only one source of bodybuilding materials were magazines from Klaipeda (Lithuanian SSR) and I did my best to get them. That was really the GOLD TIME OF BODYBUILDING“. All bodybuilders used to copy the sport movement in Baltic countries.

(„Когда-то единственным источником для меня было ,,Советский спорт,, и ,,Спортивная жизнь России,,. А еще тогда все ровнялись на Прибалтику. Тогда это было С.С.С.Р. (Федерация культуризма при Комитете физической культуры и спорта г. Клайпеды, Литовская Республика 1991 г.) и я навыписывал оттуда кучу брошур - , «Современный культуризм,», , «Система упражнений лучших культуристов мира,», ,»Увеличение мышечной массы в культуризме,», , «Звезды культуризма рекомендуют,», ,»Арнольд Шварценнегер рекомендует». Золотое время!“).

More detailed information in various languages on International Page www.wff.lt

2008 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

UNIQUE ORIGINAL COMPETITION.

In 2008 W.F.F. -W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Bodybuilding Federation)  World Championship was held in Bydgoszcz (Poland). The competition was organized by city Mecenat JERZY GOTOWSKI and city Vice Mayor KAZIMIERZ DROZD.

The preparation started one year before with huge confrontation with the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) Chairman of trainers PAVEL FILEBORN. Before the event eight various level press conferences and meetings were organized. Among them official meetings of the International President W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS with the Minister of Sport Republic Poland ZBIGNIEW PACELT and Mayor City Bydgoszcz KONSTANTY DOMBROWICZ.

HIGH INTERNATIONAL AWARDS.

During the preparation of the World Championship a number of Officials of the Republic Poland were awarded with the  W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. “International Honour Silver Medal”. Among them Minister of Sport Republic Poland ZBIGNIEW PACELT, Mecenat JERZY GOTOWSKI, Mayor City Bydgoszcz KONSTANTY DOMBROWICZ.

MINISTER SPORT POLAND. OFFICIAL VISIT.

As we mentioned above high I.F.B.B. Official POWEL FILEBORN in order to ruin the 2008 W.F.F. World Championship was writing public letters. To stop this process organizers of the World Championship addressed the Minister Sport Poland ZBIGNIEW PACELT. W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Officials were invited to the Ministry of Sport in Warsaw where they met the Minister. During the meeting required juridic W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. and I.F.B.B. questions were spoken over. Supporting the W.F.F. World Championship ZBIGNIEW PACELT wrote official letter. This letter stopped all I.F.B.B. aggressiveness. We would like to remind that due to doping usage International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.) refused to recognize I.F.B.B. federation and bodybuilding as sport. Also I.F.B.B. statements that W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. International was not among W.A.D.A. (World Anti Doping Agency) members were stopped. At that time the National President of the W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Poland was ANDRZEJ MACIEJEWSKI. For many years ANDRZEJ MACIEJEWSKI was the Vice President of the I.F.B.B. Poland. He collected materials from press accusing I.F.B.B. Official PAWEL FILEBORN being involved in doping business and corruption. Polish athletes accused PAWEL FILEBORN selling doping usage schemes for 1 000 USD and proposing to cancel doping disqualifications for 10 000 USD. For this reason PAWEL FILEBORN was for a long time in various courts. Doping business of PAWEL FILEBORN was in popular Polish newspapers - among them in “Zycie Warszawy”, “Wiadomosczy dnia”, “Interia.pl”, “Kulturystyka” and others. By the way, after this doping scandals PAWEL FILEBORN was several times in Lithuania. There at I.F.B.B. seminars he teached Lithuanians about his personal ptactice and knowledge.

INTERNATIONAL JUDGES AND ORGANIZERS

International Judges and Organizers from Argentina, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Germany, Serbia, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Cyprus, Belarus, Denmark, Ukraine, Hungary, Croatia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzogovina participated at the event.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CATEGORY WINNERS

MILENKOVIC PETAR (Serbia), MICHAILOV DIAN (Lithuania), ZIGALA MIRIAN (Slovakia), KHASALOV FEDIR (Ukraine), GIRYA DMYTRO (Ukraine), RASMUSSEN PALLE (Denmark), KRIVCIKOV DMITRIJ (Russia), NADOLSKI WOJCIECH (Poland), BLINOV SERGEJ (Russia), ZAJANCKOVSKIJ ANTON (Lithuania), CSERNUS ANNA (Hungary), ROCLAWSKA PAULINA (Poland), CZENASC ESZTER (Hungary), ZIGALOVA MIRIAMA (Slovakia), BEKUS ANITA (Poland), CERVENA LENKA (Czech), BUDOVIC TANJA (Bosnia and Herzogovina), BOCIAN NATALIA (Poland), DUNDERSKI KSENIA (Serbia), MARTINKOVA EVA (Slovakia), MILERIUTE JOLANTA (Lithuania), TOLEDO JAMILA VANESSA (Argentina), ZIGALOVA MARIETTA (Slovakia). Over All Champions: NATALIA BOCIAN (Fitness), JOLANTA MILERIUTE (Bodybuilding Women), WOJCIECH NADOLSKI (Bodybuilding Men). 

Detailed story is on the way. Follow International Site www.wff.lt 

GET TO KNOW RESPECTFUL INTERNATIONAL SPORT PERSONS. “AMBER PRIX” HISTORICAL INSPIRERS, SUPPORTERS AND PATRONS.

Throughout six decades of the history of the “Amber Prix” tournament, this prestigious event has been supported by prominent politicians, sports organizers, bodybuilding pioneers, patrons, and public figures from many countries around the world. Their contribution significantly influenced the development of Lithuanian bodybuilding and the strengthening of the international WFF-WBBF movement.

Professor Alfred Gerstl

Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Austria. From 2006 to 2009, he served as patron of the WFF-WBBF World Championships. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the “Amber Prix,” he presented for the people of Klaipeda a collection of original photographs of Arnold Schwarzenegger from that period, as well as a documentary film about the legendary athlete and actor. The photographs and the film were showcased in Klaipeda during the competition. In 2009, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Robert Fico

Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic. From 2011 to 2012, he acted as patron of the WFF-WBBF World Championships. In 2012, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Jerzy Gotowski

Patron and organizer of the 2008 World Championship, laureate of the Order of Saint Stanislaw. In 2009, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Štefan Hrčka

Patron and organizer of the World Championships from 2010 to 2014. In 2011, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Alexander Nevsky

Patron, Hollywood actor and film director, three-time absolute WFF-WBBF “Universe” champion. In 2011 awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Bob Hoffman

Robert Collins Hoffman (1898–1985) was one of the founders of official world bodybuilding. Through his efforts, from 1947 to 1969 world bodybuilding was supervised by the International Weightlifting Federation, a member organization of the International Olympic Committee. Known as the “Father of World Weightlifting,” he created a true “muscle empire” and trained numerous Olympic champions.

Oscar State

Oscar State (1911–1984) served as Secretary General of the International Weightlifting Federation F.I.H.C. (now I.W.F.) from 1960 to 1974. In 1970, he contributed to the establishment of the international IFBB federation and helped it gain membership in the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).

Oscar Heidenstam

Oscar Heidenstam (1911–1991), long-time president of the NABBA Association, opened the way in 1991 for Lithuanian bodybuilders to become members of the international organization. He also influenced NABBA to become one of the first international sports organizations to recognize Lithuania’s independence and the National Olympic Committee of Lithuania.

Ben Weider

Benjamin Weider (1923–2008) was one of the founders of the IFBB commercial company (1946) and the IFBB sport organization (1970). From 1970, he served as President of the International IFBB Federation and strongly influenced the development of bodybuilding in socialist countries.

Brone Dubar

Brone “Brownie” Dubar (Daubaraite, 1906–1986) was a Lithuanian-American athlete, gymnast, and one of the most prominent early pioneers of physical culture and fitness. She is widely regarded as the world’s first female fitness athlete. After emigrating from Lithuania to the United States in 1912, Brone Dubar soon became internationally known for her exceptional acrobatic and gymnastic performances. She toured extensively, demonstrating her athletic abilities in many countries and participating in numerous sports events. Her performances and promotion of an active lifestyle were far ahead of their time and became an inspiration for future generations of athletes. An important part of Brone Dubar’s legacy is also connected to the development of bodybuilding in Lithuania. During the years when bodybuilding was banned or strictly restricted in socialist countries, she supported the international bodybuilding contest “Amber Prix,” maintained contact with its organizers, and sent American sports literature and training materials. In this way, she contributed to the spread of modern physical culture and fitness ideas in Lithuania. Today, Brone “Brownie” Dubar is remembered as a pioneer of sport and fitness whose achievements helped pave the way for women in fitness and left a lasting mark on international sports history.

Georg Tenno

(1911–1967) was one of the pioneers of bodybuilding in the Soviet Union. An officer of the Soviet Army, he was accused of espionage in 1948 and sentenced to imprisonment in labor camps. He shared a prison cell with future Nobel Prize laureate Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. During his imprisonment, Georg Tenno attempted escape five times. In his work The Gulag Archipelago, Solzhenitsyn dedicated the chapter “The Convicted Escapist” to him. In 1968, Georg Tenno’s book Athleticism was published.

Vojtech Fiala

Vojtech Fiala was the president of the National Federation of Bodybuilding of the Czechoslovak SSR. Through his personal connections, in 1975 he managed to secure government approval for athletes to travel to the West and compete in the IFBB European Championships. That year, Petr Stach won the overall European championship title. This victory became a significant achievement for socialist bodybuilding, which at the time was subjected to political pressure and persecution by the authorities. For many years afterward, Czechoslovak bodybuilders continued to compete in the West, while athletes from other socialist countries could hardly even dream of such an opportunity. In 1979, Vojtech Fiala initiated friendly competitions between Soviet and Czechoslovak bodybuilders: the Czechoslovaks were invited to compete in the “Amber Prix” Tournament, while Soviet athletes took part in the Czechoslovak National Championships.

Inar Mardo

1945-2002). Founder and organizer of the international “Georg Tenno Memorial” tournaments since 1970. One of the most respected leaders of Estonian bodybuilding, he consistently supported the organizers of the “Amber Prize” tournament.

Martin Kuta

Patron and organizer of the WFF Professional Fitness World Championships at Prague’s Žofín Palace from 2006 to 2009. In 2008, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Rišardas Krinickis

(1949-2015). One of the leaders of the State Control Committee of the Republic of Lithuania. From 1996 to 2006, he made a significant contribution to organizing international WFF-WBBF events in Lithuania. Two-time absolute champion of the “Amber Prize” tournament. Awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Kęstutis Virketis

Long-time Director of the Legal Department of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania. Participant and category winner of the 1974 “Amber Prize” tournament. In 2024, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Česlav Tamulevic

(1945-2023). Founder and coach of the unique “Vilnius Bodybuilding School,” which prepared athletes for the “Amber Prize” tournament. In 2020, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

Vitalij Asovskij

(1952-2026). Poet and playwright. After the illness of Česlavas Tamulevičius, he took over the leadership of the “Vilnius Bodybuilding School.” In 2020, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation at the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania.

Valerij Koreskov

Journalist and photographer, one of the pioneers of bodybuilding in the Soviet Union. Awarded the international John Grimek Prize and a UNESCO honorary certificate. In 2018, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation at the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania.

Professor Vasiliy Bespalenko

Professor at four universities, multiple WFF-WBBF World and European champion. In 2023, he became the absolute champion of the “Amber Prize” tournament. In 2022, he was awarded the Honorary Gold Medal of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.

More information is on international site www.wff.lt

“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