1988 "AMBER PRIX INTERNATIONAL".

WORLD BODYBUILDING ENCYCLOPEDIA.

1988 SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING NEWS.

1988 „AMBER PRIX INTERNATIONAL“.

Bodybuilding in Socialist countries faced new horisons when in 1987 was created the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ («Федерация культуизма С.С.С.Р.»). The prohibition and the prosecution of bodybuilding ended. Socialist Republics started organizing many bodybuilding competitions. U.S.S.R. bodybuilders were invited to contests of various countries.

No doubt – in 1988 the most important bodybuilding contest was the first official „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Cup“ («Кубок С.С.С.Р. по культуризму»). It was recognized and supported by the „U.S.S.R. Ministry of Sport“ («Министерство спорта С.С.С.Р.»). 69 bodybuilders representing 13 Socialist Republics took part at the event. The competition was held in the still today prestigeous Leningrad Palace „Oktiabrskij“ (дворец „Октябрьский», Ленинград). The Category Winners were: STANISLAV POLIAKOV (Станислав Поляков, Riga, Latvian SSR, trainer FELIKS SAJKOVSKJ, Феликс Сайковский); VALERIJ BOGDANOVIC (Валерий Богданович, Minsk, Belorussian SSR, no trainer); SAULIUS MISEVICIUS (Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR, no trainer); VIKTORAS JUCYS (Klaipeda, Lithuanian SSR, trainer DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS). The title of the Over All Winner went to VIKTORAS JUCYS. Since that time he holds the title „Mister Absoliutus S.S.S.R.“ («Мистер Абсолютус С.С.С.Р.»). His trainer DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was awarded with the Special Diploma of the „U.S.S.R. Ministry of Sport“. All Category Winners received the degrees of the “U.S.S.R. Sport Master” («Мастер спорта С.С.С.Р.»).

The I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) President BEN WEIDER was present at the contest. He spoke very positivelly about VIKTORAS JUCYS then. BEN WEIDER invited all Category Winners to the 1988 I.F.B.B. World Championships in Australia. The special conference was organized fro BEN WEIDER to communicate with the U.S.S.R. bodybuilders. On the top of the stage sat BEN WEIDER and DSc. EEDMUNDAS DAUBARAS, as he was the only one among the U.S.S.R. bodybuilders and officials to know foreign languages. Bodybuilders asked questions and DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS translated them. Finally when questions ended the conference looked as a dialoque only of BEN WEIDER and DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS.

Some words on the topic. During the last years appeared „new International federations“ which cheat bodybuilders and lie to them. These „federations“ have no value to the official sport of bodybuilding. They are not recognized by any International Organization. In all the World only Governments of former Socialist and Asia Countries use to support and finance National Federations of I.F.B.B.. Earlier this was because of the I.F.B.B. membership in the G.A.I.S.F. (“General Association of International Sports Federations”). Now it is because of I.F.B.B. being a W.A.D.A. (“World Anti – Doping Agency”) member. Due to the efforts of American BOB HOFFMAN since 1947 until 1969 World‘s bodybuilding was rulled by F.I.H.C. (F.I.H., Federation Internationale Halterophile). Then bodybuilding was an officially recognized and respected sport as the F.I.H.C. was a member of the I.O.C. (International Olympic Committee). BOB HOFFMAN seeked bodybuilding to be an Olympic sport. In 1970 F.I.H.C. Secretary OSCAR STATE and WEIDER brothers BEN and JOE created the I.F.B.B. federation in Belgrade (Yugoslavia). In 1971 I.F.B.B. became a member of the G.A.I.S.F.. When I.O.C. refused to support the I.F.B.B. in 1998, WEIDER brothers sold the I.F.B.B. federation and magazines. Contemporary I.F.B.B. President RAFAEL SANTONJA ruined I.F.B.B. officiality after this I.F.B.B. two times was split. In 2022 W.A.D.A. refused to work with I.F.B.B. any longer. This is I.F.B.B.. If we speak about other “federations” we can see only humor and nothing more…

In 1988 the first „U.S.S.R. Junior Bodybuilding Championship“ («Чемпионат С.С.С.Р. среди юниоров») was organized in Charkov (Ukrainian SSR). Bodybuilders of 8 Socialist Republics took part at the event. At the same time the Committee of the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ had a meeting in Charkov too. U.S.S.R. bodybuilders got rid of the decades lasting influence of the U.S.S.R. weightlifters. The President of the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ Olympic Champion JURIJ VLASOV (Юрий Власов) informed that he was leaving the federation. At the same time Secretary of the federation VALERIJ TAMARLAKOV (Валерий Тамарлаков) was thrown out as nobody of bodybuilders trusted him. The new President of the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ became VASILIJ CAIKOVSKIJ (Василий Чайковский). Confrontation between JURIJ VLASOV and Leningrad bodybuilding officials started in 1987. As the long lasting Chairman of the National Bodybuilding Federation of the Estonian SSR INNAR MARDO Иннар Мардо, 1946 – 2002 m.) wrote to DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS – JURIJ VLASOV wanted to organize a great International bodybuilding contest in Moscow in 1987. The venue, the medals and posters were printed, bodybuilders were invited and the U.S.S.R. Central Television agreed to meke a report of the competition. But Leningrad officials VLADIMIR DUBININ and VASILIJ CAIKOVSKIJ were against the contest in Moscow. Supported by the Deputy Chairman of the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS they organized the 1987 „White Nights“ («Белые ночи») in Leningrad. This smashed the plans of JURIJ VLASOV. He was deeply offended.

In 1988 an International Contest of women bodybuilders was organized. The Category Winners were representatives of the Lithuanian SSR: NATALIJA DUCHOVIC (Murnikoviene, Наталия Духович), AUSRA SALOMSKAITE, INGA MISEVIČIENE.

In 1988 the I.F.B.B. World Championship was held in Australia. The U.S.S.R. bodybuilders participated at such level the first time. In Australia the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ became a member of the I.F.B.B.. All Winners of the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Cup“ were included to the team. Among them two representatives of the Lithuanian SSR – VIKTORAS JUCYS and SAULIUS MISEVICIUS. They trained in Moscow. Thgether with bodybuilders the delegation of the U.S.S.R. officials went to Australia too. The Deputy Chairman of the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS learned that he was not included to the delegation to Australia. ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS was responsible for passports and visas for the bodybuilders of the Lithuanian SSR. Being angry he kept the passports with him and bodybuilders could not fly to Australia. They were left in Moscow... Having no Lithuanians on board the U.S.S.R. team was of STANISLAV POLIAKOV, VALERIJ BOGDANOVIC, ALEKSANDR VASIN (Александр Васин). The U.S.S.R. bodybuilders did not place high at the World Championshgip then.

The old tradition of the „Amber Prix International“ («Янтарный приз», „Gintarinis prizas“,  1968 – 2023) did not stop. Chairmen of the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ spoke that there is no more need of the „Amber Prix International“ as the U.S.S.R. was participating at the I.F.B.B. World and Europe Championships and it had the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Championship“ as well. At the 1988 „Amber Prix International“ participated 112 bodybuilders that represented 9 Socialist Republics. By gradation „Amber Prix International“ was at the second place after the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Championship“ in the U.S.S.R.. The Category Winners in 1988 were: Juniors - VIRGINIJUS TVARIONAS, ROBERTAS BALINSKAS (both Lithuanian SSR), ANDREJ VOJTOVIC  (Андрей Войтович, Belorussian SSR), BORIS VELIKOIVANENKO (Борис Великоиваненко, R.S.F.S.R.) and main Categories – NIKOLAJ MALYSEV (Николай Малышев, R.S.F.S.R.), ZIGMAS PRELGAUSKAS, SAULIUS MISEVICIUS, VIKTORAS JUCYS (all Lithuanian SSR). The Over All Winners were BORIS VELIKOIVANENKO and VIKTORAS JUCYS.

To celebrate 70 years of Comsomol City Kaunas (Lithuanian SSR) organized traditional „Comsomol Cup“ («Кубок комсомола», „Komjaunimo taure“). Comsomol Committee of Kaunas helped to invite the bodybuilders from Czechoslovakian SSR (C.S.S.R.) and D.D.R. (German Democratic Republic). The Category Winners were VLADAS KAPCEVICIUS and RAIMUNDAS IVANAISKAS (both Lithuanian SSR). At the same time the „Over All Winner‘s Cup“ («Кубок абсолютных чемпионов») was held too. The Over All Winner was ALEKSANDR TARASEVIC (Александр Тарасевич, R.S.F.S.R.).

In 1988 West German bodybuilders participated at the International Contest in Riga (Latvian SSR). This was the first time when after the “Iron Wall” period the “West” sportsmen came to the U.S.S.R.. Germans and Latvians were the first in bodybuilding to break the “Iron Wall” which was between the Socialist and the “West” Worlds. Athletes from Estonian SSR, West Germany, Ukrainian SSR, Lithuanian SSR and Latvian SSR took part in the Riga event. The best among the Germans was the Senior Europe Champion HEINZ HORLING and the best among the U.S.S.R. bodybuilders was Latvian STANISLAV POLIAKOV.

In 1988 a number of International bodybuilding Contests were held in the C.S.S.R. and D.D.R.. Having written confirmation of the „Ministry Soport of the Lithuanian SSR“ («Комитет физкультуры и спорта Литовской ССР») the National Team to „Sandow“ and „Trener“ contests was led by DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS and ARUNAS PETRAITIS.

Category Winners at the1988 „Sandow“ competition were: women bodybuilding –LUX SYBILLA (G.D.R., German Democratic Republic), SUKUPOVA EVA (C.S.S.R.) and Men Categories: BOAR PETER (C.S.S.R.), FARKAL ZDENEK (C.S.S.R.), TURTURO JOZEF (G.D.R.) and VRABEL ROMAN (C.S.S.R.).

Category Winners at the „Trener“ contest were representatives of the Czechoslovakian SSR  ROMAN VRABEL, PAVOL JABLONICKY, JIRI MRACEK and ROLANDAS BUCINSKAS (Lithuanian SSR). The Over All Winner was PAVOL JABLONICKY. 

In 1988 at not so great contests of Czechoslovakian SSR „Stribro Cup“ Category Winner were U.S.S.R. bodybuilders ZIGMAS PRALGAUSKAS and at „Tatra Cup“ ALGIRDAS IVANAUSKAS.

U.S.S.R. bodybuilders took part at the „Berliner Baren Pokal“ International Contest in East Berlin (G.D.R.). the U.S.S.R. Officials were DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS and ALTAF GELEJEV (). All Category Winners were from G.D.R.: women bodybuilding - KLARA JUHUSZ and in Men Categories – BURKLAF SCHEIBE, PETER CIMMERMANN, MARTIN UNLMANN, FRANK HEINEMANN.

1988 „AMBER PRIX INTERNATIONAL“.

At the Competition participeted 112 bodybuilders representing 9 Countries: Lithuanian SSR, Belorussian SSR, R.S.F.S.R., Latvian SSR, Estonian SSR, Ukrainian SSR, Tadzikistan SSR, Kazachstan SSR, Moldavian SSR.

RESULTS

Juniors

First Weight Category

1. TVARIONAS VIRGINIJUS (Lithuanian SSR)

2. KASAPOV FIODOR (Кашапов Фёдор, R.S.F.S.R.)

3. IBRAGIMOV RENAT (Ибрагимов Ренат, R.S.F.S.R.)

Second Weight Category

1. BALINSKAS ROBERTAS (Lithuanian SSR)

2. JUCHIMENKO DENIS (Юхименко Денис, Estonian SSR)

3. IVANOV IVAN (Иванов Иван, R.S.F.S.R.)

Third Weight Category

1. VOJTOVIC ANDREJ (Войтович Андрей, Belorussian SSR)

2. LAIMIKIS DARIUS (Lithuanian SSR)

3. POCIUS DARIUS (Lithuanian SSR)

Fourth Weight Category

1. VELIKOIVANENKO BORIS (Великоиваненко Борис, R.S.F.S.R.)

2. GALICINAS AIVARAS (Lithuanian SSR)

3. LABANAUSKAS ERLANDAS (Lithuanian SSR)

Main Categories

First Weight Category

1. MALYSEV NIKOLAJ (Малышев Николай, R.S.F.S.R.)

2. LUKOSEVICIUS LAIMIS (Lithuanian SSR)

3. TUZOV SERGEJ (Тузов Сергей, R.S.F.S.R.)

Second Weight Category

1. PRELGAUSKAS ZIGMAS (Lithuanian SSR)

2. KOLESNIKOV STAS (Колесников Стас, R.S.F.S.R.)

3. JAKOVLEV ALEKSANDR (Яковлев Александр, R.S.F.S.R.)

Third Weight Category

1. MISEVICIUS SAULIUS (Lithuanian SSR)

2. RAJEV BORIS (Раев Борис, R.S.F.S.R.)

3. LEJMAN VLADIMIR (Лейман Владимир, R.S.F.S.R.)

Fourth Weight Category

1. JUCYS VIKTORAS (Lithuanian SSR)

2. MAZIONIS RIMANTAS (Lithuanian SSR)_

3. CIVKAS AIVARS (Latvian SSR).

Over All Winners: Juniors – BORIS VELIKOIVANENKO, main categories – VIKTORAS JUCYS.

FULL ARTICLE and detailed information is on Global Page www.wff.lt