WORLD BODYBUILDING HISTORY.

1991 “MR. URAL”.

BODYBUILDING TIMES OF CARPETS.

Before it started.

Time goes so fast and today in public often comes information which is far away from the truth. People who were not present at certain events are writing articles and books which are based on rumours. They pay no attention to the facts and opinion of the real participants of these events. For example, several years ago in Lithuania was issued a book “Lithuanian bodybuilding history” which carries facts that are not correct. Some time ago in Russia was issued a book about a famous Russia bodybuilder VLADIMIR DUBININ. For thirty  years VLADIMIR DUBININ  was the President of the National I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders)  Federation of  Russia. There are many not correct facts and interpretations on the history of the U.S.S.R. bodybuilding in the book.

Today after thirty years in internet appeared false information about the 1991 International “Mr. Ural” contest. The information is published by a former Russian bodybuilder OLEG ANDREJEV (Олег Андреев). People start discussing the angry letter of an U.S.S.R. official which he wrote on the background of rumours only.

Continuing our work on the unique International project of the “World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia” («Энциклопедия мирового культуризма», „Pasaulio kultūrizmo enciklopedija“)  in 2020 we plan to issue in various languages a book about the history of bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R.. There will be many historical documents, authentic stories and pictures and the reader will have a chance to see the historic happenings on different angle.

1991 “Mr. Ural” Contest

The organizer of the 1990-1991 “Mr. Ural” Contest in Ural Ufa City was ALTAF GALEJEV. For a number of years ALTAF GALEJEV  used to come with Ufa bodybuilding team to the  officially recognized World’s oldest traditional bodybuilding contest “Amber Prix International” (1968-2022, “Gintarinis prizas”, «Янтарный приз»). Participating at the 1991 “Mr. Ural” Contest contemporary President of the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation) International DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  and his wife were the invited personal guests of the organizer ALTAF GALEJEV.

Judges of the 1991 “Mr. Ural”.

Though at the 1991 “Mr. Ural” together with the U.S.S.R. bodybuilders participated teams of Germany, Holland and U.S.A. – the judges were only of the U.S.S.R. side. These judges in years were known one to another. To say more – these judges were trainers of the sportsmen, who participated at the 1991 “Mr. Ural” Contest and their personal interest in the competition results was very plain and clear. Even more: Lithuanian Judge ARVYDAS MILVYDAS some time before started working as the director of Vilnius sport centre. He had possibilities to offer money to bodybuilders. So he did. ARVYDAS MILVYDAS offered money to a number of known bodybuilders who were for many years trained by a famous U.S.S.R. trainer VITALIJ ASOVSKIJ. The bodybuilders of VITALIJ ASOVSKIJ without any hesitation left him and run to ARVYDAS MILVYDAS. Today when sport became totally commercial  it is nothing special about this, many athletes use to do this. But in the U.S.S.R. of 1991 it was a single unfair happening on the moral side. Having no trainer’s experience before it ARVYDAS MILVYDAS appeared at “Mr. Ural” Competition in Ufa with his team of known bodybuilders.

Judging

After the calculation of the 1991 “Mr. Ural” Contest results the awards ceremony started. Among the usual traditional awards for the winners were the carpets. To understand the situation now we should explain the situation of life in the U.S.S.R.. It is impossible to understand it easy for the contemporary people. Due to political situation for many years cars, carpets, spare parts for cars etc. were impossible to get in the U.S.S.R.. Only the trade unions of the U.S.S.R. were giving special licences for the best workers to buy these things. For German, Holland and U.S.A. participants of the 1991 “Mr. Ural” these carpets were of no value. But the representatives of the U.S.S.R. looked upon this differently. For them the carpets were of great value.  A scandal started during the award ceremony. German, Holland and the U.S.A. representatives did not agree with the judging and they insisted to cancel the judging results.

It was a break at the contest announced. Then the contest organizer ALTAF GALEJEV  collected official representatives of Germany, Holland and U.S.A. for a special meeting. The only one at the competition knowing well the English and the German languages DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was present at the meeting too. The German team was led to Ufa by a famous National trainer of the German team. The team consisted of famous International athletes and among them AUREL HILLEBRAND – one of the winners of the 1991 Europe Championship. At the meeting the representatives spoke that “they came to a bodybuilding contest and not to the place of dividing carpets. Why ALTAF GALEJEV invited them to UFA if there is only the manipulation with carpets?” After the  discussion all of the representatives decided to change the results only in one category. They replaced Lithuanian OLEG ZUR with AUREL HILLEBRAND giving the first place to the German bodybuilder. Also OLEG ZUR had to give back to the German the carpets... AUREL HILLEBRAND  did not want to take the carpets saying he came to the bodybuilding competition and he does not need them. We would like to remind that later in 2004 Lithuanian OLEG ZUR was the over all I.F.B.B. World Champion in Moscow. By the way the 2004 I.F.B.B. World Championship was also full of intrigues. Any can find in various languages the historic documents, articles at the International Page www.wff.lt , read information on the main page and in the forum topics.

Scandal of carpets goes on.

Returned from 1991 “Mr. Ural” home the Lithuania bodybuilders were upset.  They told their story to the Secretary of the U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS. Hearing only one side and based only on words and rumours ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS wrote an angry letter to the President of the U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation VLADIMIR DUBININ. Then a special Congress of the U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation Council was announced. The Congress put punishment to the 1991 “Mr. Ural” organizer  ALTAF GALEJEV. Then ALTAF GALEJEV left the I.F.B.B. and started working with another International Federation.

More information on International Site www.wff.lt 

2025. LET WORLD SPORT HISTORY BE ALIVE.

17-th „GEORG TENNO MEMORIAL“

Estonia bodybuilding organizers decided to organize the 17-th „Georg Tenno Memorial“ («Мемориал Георга Тенно», 1971 – 2024). Last „Memorial“ in Tallinn was held by INNAR MARDO (1946 – 2002) in 1989.

The 17-th „Georg Tenno Memorial“  will be held on June 7, 2025 in Estonian Tallinn. At the same time the 45-th “World Grand Prix Estonia” and National Championship of Republic Estonia will be organized in Tallinn too.

INFORMATION.
More detailed information on the Global International Site www.wff.lt, see forum topics. Also information available on the Facebook pages: W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International, W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. North America, W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. South America, W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Asia, W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Europe, W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Africa, W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Asia Continental Federation, International Sport University (I.S.U.), W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Pro Division, W.P.S.F. World Power Sports Federation.

IMPRISONED WITH NOBEL PRIZE OWNER ALEKSANDR SOLZHENITSYN.

GEORG TENNO – ESTONIA HEROE OF SOVIET TIMES.

SOCIALIST WORLD BODYBUILDING HISTORY.

In the sixties of the last century the greatest bodybuilding propaganda in the USSR was made by the Estonian weightlifter GEORG TENNO (Георгий Тэнно). GEORG TENNO was a former navy officer and participant of the Second World War. In 1948 due to a false accusement of spying against the USSR GEORG TENNO was arrested and sentenced to eight years imprisonment. It happened that GEORG TENNO was placed in the same prison cell together with the USSR disident ALEKSANDR SOLZHENITSYN  (Александр Солженицын). During the imprisonment GEORG TENNO made five unsuccessfull attempts to run away. There is a story about GEORG TENNO in the famous book of ALEKSANDR SOLZHENITSYN „Arkhipelag Gulag“ named „The Runaway“ “ («Убежденный беглец»). About GEORG TENNO ALEKSANDR SOLZHENITSYN wrote: „He was the most stronger and the most brave of us...“. In 1970 Nobel Committee awarded ALEKSANDR SOLZHENITSYN with the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Ending the fifties of the last century GEORGIJ TENNO was released from the prison. He started working at the USSR Institute of Scientific Studies of the Physical Culture (ВНИИФК, Всесоюзный научно исследовательский институт физической культуры).

In 1968 GEORG TENNO published his book „The Athletism“ («Атлетизм»). At once it became very popular. The book was full of information: training methods, recupperation after workouts and various diets. At that time this was a unique information. Though GEORG TENNO did not speak about the sources of his knowlidge but it was evident he used various foreign literature. The work at the institute gave him such opportunities. After imprisonment GEORG TENNO knew very well all political moments and he was carefull. Due to this in his book he wrote that „bodybuilding is not to stay in fron of a mirror. Bodybuilding is to strenthen the muscles that will serve to the country“.

Once VLADIMIR CIUDINOV in the USSR popular magazine „Sportivnaja žizn Rossii“ («Спортивная жизнь России») insisted that the USSR system of physical culture should accept the bodybuilding methods developed by GEORG TENNO. He speaks how GEORG TENNO translated information from the „West“ literature. Often he just copied the methodical information. GEORG TENNO never saw any diference between the bodybuilding and the „athletism“. Also GEORG TENNO thought that „everybody for himself is the advicer and the trainer“.

Suddenly when the prosecution of bodybuilding started GEORG TENNO  died in an accident. Who knows - maybe it was an accidental death.

To remember GEORG TENNO Estonians started organizing the „Georg Tenno Memorial“ («Мемориал Георга Тенно») contest in 1971. Fourteen Memorials were organized until 1989. For long years of the bodybuilding prohibition and prosecution in the Socialist Countries  „Georg Tenno Memorial“ and the historic „Amber Prix International“ („Gintarinis Prizas“, «Янтарный приз», 1968-2019) were the only one regular bodybuilding competitons in the Socialist Countries.

Remark: the documents of the „Georg Tenno Memorial“ collected by the President WFF-WBBF Estonia INNAR MARDO are kept in the archieves of the WFF-WBBF International Federation.

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

WHO IN U.S.S.R. COULD THINK ON INTERNATIONAL LEVEL?

ROLE OF PERSONALITY IN LIFE AND SPORT.

Everyone‘s personality depends on many items. One of them is – basing on which position a personality analizes all happenings. We mean bodybuilders, of course. Do you think of this as a sportsman, as a trainer or organizer or you think as an International Leader? Specialists of our sport scrutinize the same documents and the same basics but everybody of them evaluate the same items on a different way. Then we may look if this specialist is of a local level or he represents the International one. The specialist must get himself above the happenings of his time and he must look on everything like a flying bird high in the sky. Otherwise he can not understand waht is going on.

In the U.S.S.R. there were only few personalities who could think wide in the very beginning of bodybuilding. The representatives of various regions of the U.S.S.R. mostly were thinking in a narrow way. For example, Tiumen gym trainer JEVGENIJ KOLTUN (Евгений Колтун, R.S.F.S.R.) always represented a gym level and nothing more. The same was with a Kaliningrad trainer JURIJ SMOLIAKOV (Юрий Смоляков, R.S.F.S.R.) and with a Severodvinsk trainer the U.S.S.R. Champion ALEKSANDR LEMECHOV (Александр Лемехов, R.S.F.S.R.). The same was with a Leningrad gym trainer VLADIMIR DUBININ (Владимир Дубинин, R.S.F.S.R.). A representative of Riga (Latvian SSR) FELIKS SAJKOVSKIJ (Феликс Сайковский) and nearly all representatives of the Lithuanian SSR were on the same local level of understanding. There were no more active bodybuilding organizers in the U.S.S.R. at that time but only those we mentioned only. The exception could be the General Secretary of the formal „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“  («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.») ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS (Романас Калинаускас). How we can understand this „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ when bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R. is prohibited? It had totally no power. But unfortunatelly all activities of ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS were done through intrigues and blackmailing of his sport friends to the Communist political powers. Knowing no foreign languages ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS was separated from the World and could not understand the International process. Another exceptional person was INNAR MARDO (Иннар Мардо, 1946 – 2002, Tallinn, Estonian SSR). He also did not know any foreign language and worked only in Estonia. Even to do anything on the U.S.S.R. level he had no interest. But on regular basis organized by INNAR MARDO „Georg Tenno Memorial“ («Мемориал Георга Тенно», 1971 – 1989, Tallinn, Estonian SSR) contests gave him a huge prestige and respect of others. One more exception was DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. During the period of bodybuilding prohibition he organized illegal „Amber Prix International“ („Gintarinis prizas“, «Янтарный приз», 1968 – 2023, Klaipeda, Lithuanian SSR) contests in 1974, 1975, 1976 and in 1977. Wishing to defend bodybuilding sport DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS for several years was in correspondence with the Ministry of Sport of the U.S.S.R. („U.S.S.R. Goskomsport“, Госкомспорт С.С.С.Р.). Finally received from the U.S.S.R. Ministry of Sport a negatyve answer DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS wrote a bodybuilding defending petition and personally brought it to Moscow. He presented the petition to the highest U.S.S.R. political powers:  to the Central Committee of the U.S.S.R. Communist Party  (Центральный Комитет Коммунистической партии С.С.С.Р.), to the U.S.S.R. Supreme Council (Верховный Совет С.С.С.Р.) and to the U.S.S.R. Ministry Council (Совет Министров С.С.С.Р.) and to the U.S.S.R. cental political newspapers  „Pravda“ («Правда») and „Izvestija“ («Известия»). In 1978 due to the petition of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS the U.S.S.R. political powers gave him permition to organize „Amber Prix International“ in Klaipeda (Lithuanian SSR).

Leaders do not like a stable life. A Leader of any kind has courage and resposibility. Leaders always seek the result end never doubt if they will not succeed. At the same time the majority does nothing. They sit  in silence. So who was the bodybuilding Leader in the U.S.S.R.? The very similar to DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS life was of his friends in sport: the President I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) BEN WEIDER, also the similar way of life was of the President N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) OSCAR HEIDENSTAM and W.A.B.B.A. (World Amateur Body Building Association) President SERGE NUBRET. The same similar way was of the General Secretary F.I.H.C. (Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturiste) International OSCAR STATE.

Not knowing foreign languages narrowed possibilities of INNAR MARDO, but DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS assisted and helped him always. ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS did not know any foreign language and he always worked to be close to the U.S.S.R. Ministry of Sport. To say more he did his best to be close to the U.S.S.R. Weightlifting Federation (Федерация тяжёлой атлетики С.С.С.Р.). That were his top items for respect and loyality. But what he could get out of this when bodybuilding was prohibited in the U.S.S.R.? Just nothing.

While studying English and German philology at the Vilnius State University DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS did several attempts to unite gyms of Vilnius City. Nobody else never tried to do this. Anyway bodybuilding was prohibited in the U.S.S.R. and bodybuilders were afraid to do anything.

It is easy to speak when the work is done and everything goes smoothly. But at the moment to fight agaist bodybuilding prohibition no one supported DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. No one. Today being already old many former U.S.S.R. bodybuilding organizers and bodybuilders try to „be Facebook friends“ of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. Fine. But where they were at the hard times of risky fighting?

During the fifty years of his bodybuilding activities there was a number of „deputies“ and assistants of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. Many wanted to take the place of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS and to go on doing the same. No one succeeded.

Many disliked the stormy activities of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. Especially when he succeeded in his work. And he did. Having no wish to get into the intrigues of such people DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS got into the Vilnius State University in 1979 again. This time DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS studied law after he received the speciality of the phylology before. And again he succeeded. The same happened with INNAR MARDO. He was pressed by the people of envy and hate to leave his work and positions after the intriques in the formal Bodybuilding Federattion of the Estonian SSR. INNAR MARDO did not succeed to come back in full power again. There were several attemps but he was never back to the former normal situation. Hate and envy of his bodybuilding collegues ruined his life in sport. This information is based on the letters of INNAR MARDO to DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS.

Klaipeda bodybuilding was always a „Separate Republic“. And still is. It was in Lithuania, in the U.S.S.R. and Internationally now. It was based on the social and juridical status, on the International level - remember the World Bodybuilding Leaders whom we have mentioned above. International President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS is involved in the work of a number of International organizations which are collaborating with U.N. (United Nations) and U.N.S.E.C.O. (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Who else was in the same position? The road was long. Much work and  studies were needed.

Due to his active International work DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS meets many World known persons.

In 2010 in Portugal during the Congress of the International Order of Templars (O.S.M.T.H., Ordo Supremus Militari Templi Herosolimitani) for the original ideas to unite World Religions DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS by Greek ARCHIMANDRIT CHARALAMPIJ was awarded with the „St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Silver-Gold Medal“.

In 2011 the Official Visit of the President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation) International DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was organized to Vatican. Listening about the Bodybuilding activities during the years of prohibition of this sport in the Socialist Countries the Vatican Congregat Perfect Cardinal J. Em. JOZEF KARDINAL TOMKO (Кардинал Иозеф Томко) was interested very much. Very big interest was shown to the bodybuilding defending petition of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS and the victory that was achieved due to this. J. Em. JOZEF KARDINAL TOMKO positively evaluated our efforts to fight for the Bodybuilding Sport recognition and at once he named DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS as the „disident of the Communist Regime“. For this work done the Vatican Congregat Perfect Cardinal J. Em. JOZEF KARDINAL TOMKO presented the Original Vatican Pontific Medal (Medaglia Ufficiale di Pontificato di Sua Santita Benedetto XVI) to the International President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Federation EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS (Headquarters State Vatican, Cita del Vaticano, March 29, 2011).

During the last decades DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS had meetings and spoke about various International questions with the President Parliament Austria Professor ALFRED GERSTL (Президент Парламента Австрии профессор Альфред Герстл), the Prime Minister of the Republic Slovakia VLADIMIR MECIAR (премьер министр Словакии Владимир Мечиар), the Prime Minister of the Republic Slovakia ROBERT FICO (премьер министр Словакии Роберт Фицо), President Parliament Republic Slovakia JAN FIGEL (президент Парламента Словакии Ян Фигель), President Parliament Republic Lithuania ARUNAS VALINSKAS (президент Парламента Литвы Арунас Валинскас), Prime Minister Republic Lithuania GEDIMINAS KIRKILAS (премьер министр Литвы Гедиминас Киркилас), Prime Minister Republic Lithuania ALGIRDAS BUTKEVICIUS (премьер министр Литвы Альгирдас Буткявичус) and other High State officials of various Asia and Europe Countries.

Crowning the fifty years of bodybuilding activities of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS Russia journalists call him “The Father of Russia Bodybuilding” («Отец российского культуризма»).

In 2015 at the International contest in front of a number of Members of the Parliament Republic Lithuania the representative of the Government Republic Lithuania ANTANAS VINKUS (Антанас Винкус) named DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS the „Lithuania Embassador for the World“ («Амбассадор Литвы в мире»). Then National Teams of America, Asia, Africa and Europe took part at this event.

It is easy to speak when the work is done and everything goes smoothly. But at the moment to fight agaist bodybuilding prohibition no one supported DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. No one. Today being already old many former U.S.S.R. bodybuilding organizers and bodybuilders try to „be Facebook friends“ of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. Fine. But where they were at the hard times of risky fighting?

During the fifty years of his bodybuilding activities there was a number of „deputies“ and assistants of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. Many wanted to take the place of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS and to go on doing the same. No one succeeded.

Many disliked the stormy activities of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. Especially when he succeeded in his work. And he did. Having no wish to get into the intrigues of such people DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS got into the Vilnius State University in 1979 again. This time DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS studied law after he received the speciality of the phylology before. And again he succeeded. The same happened with INNAR MARDO. He was pressed by the people of envy and hate to leave his work and positions after the intriques in the formal Bodybuilding Federattion of the Estonian SSR. INNAR MARDO did not succeed to come back in full power again. There were several attemps but he was never back to the former normal situation. Hate and envy of his bodybuilding collegues ruined his life in sport. This information is based on the letters of INNAR MARDO to DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS.

Klaipeda bodybuilding was always a „Separate Republic“. And still is. It was in Lithuania, in the U.S.S.R. and Internationally now. It was based on the social and juridical status, on the International level - remember the World Bodybuilding Leaders whom we have mentioned above. International President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS is involved in the work of a number of International organizations which are collaborating with U.N. (United Nations) and U.N.S.E.C.O. (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Who else was in the same position? The road was long. Much work and  studies were needed.

In 2011 the Official Visit of the President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation) International DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was organized to Vatican. Listening about the Bodybuilding activities during the years of prohibition of this sport in the Socialist Countries the Vatican Congregat Perfect Cardinal J. Em. JOZEF KARDINAL TOMKO (Кардинал Иозеф Томко) was interested very much. Very big interest was shown to the bodybuilding defending petition of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS and the victory that was achieved due to this. J. Em. JOZEF KARDINAL TOMKO positively evaluated our efforts to fight for the Bodybuilding Sport recognition and at once he named DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS as the „disident of the Communist Regime“. For this work done the Vatican Congregat Perfect Cardinal J. Em. JOZEF KARDINAL TOMKO presented the Original Vatican Pontific Medal (Medaglia Ufficiale di Pontificato di Sua Santita Benedetto XVI) to the International President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. Federation EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS (Headquarters State Vatican, Cita del Vaticano, March 29, 2011).

During the last decades DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS had meetings and spoke about various International questions with the President Parliament Austria Professor ALFRED GERSTL (Президент Парламента Австрии профессор Альфред Герстл), the Prime Minister of the Republic Slovakia VLADIMIR MECIAR (премьер министр Словакии Владимир Мечиар), the Prime Minister of the Republic Slovakia ROBERT FICO (премьер министр Словакии Роберт Фицо), President Parliament Republic Slovakia JAN FIGEL (президент Парламента Словакии Ян Фигель), President Parliament Republic Lithuania ARUNAS VALINSKAS (президент Парламента Литвы Арунас Валинскас), Prime Minister Republic Lithuania GEDIMINAS KIRKILAS (премьер министр Литвы Гедиминас Киркилас), Prime Minister Republic Lithuania ALGIRDAS BUTKEVICIUS (премьер министр Литвы Альгирдас Буткявичус) and other High State officials of various Asia and Europe Countries.

Crowning the fifty years of bodybuilding activities of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS Russia journalists call him “The Father of Russia Bodybuilding” («Отец российского культуризма»).

In 2015 at the International contest in front of a number of Members of the Parliament Republic Lithuania the representative of the Government Republic Lithuania ANTANAS VINKUS (Антанас Винкус) named DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS the „Lithuania Embassador for the World“ («Амбассадор Литвы в мире»). Then National Teams of America, Asia, Africa and Europe took part at this event.

In September, 2023 the Rector of the oldest Ukraine Lvov Stavropigeon University Professor DSc. JAROSLAV KMIT proposed International W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation) federation President, Rector of the International Sport University (I.S.U.) DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to the respectful title the “2023 U.N.E.S.C.O. Ambassador of Peace”. U.N.E.S.C.O. (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) organization presented this title to DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. At the same time DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was awarded with the U.N.E.S.C.O. Medal and the Star.

In May, 2024 being among the delegates at the Parliament Republic Lithuania official representatives of the Republic Estonia – the U.R.K. EESTI KASAKATE UHING S.A. Colonel - General ANDREI GRITSKOV, Colonel - General VASSILI TROFIMOV, ALEKSEJ FILATOV, EVGENIA TOFFERT highly evaluated activities of International W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation)  President DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. For the active social work the Estonians presented DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS the Order of the „U.R.K. Silver Cross“.

INFORMATION. More Detailed Information on Global Site www.wff.lt

60 YEARS OF LITHUANIA BODYBUILDING.

SHORT HISTORY.

On May 17, 2025 in City Gargzdai 60 years of Lithuania bodybuilding (1965-2025) were celebrated. Gargzdai organizers led by Viktoras Kura did tremendous job. That was a real bodybuilding fiesta. Respectful Guests and sport Personalities came to the Event.

Respectful Guests and Participants: Member Parliament Republic Lithuania Alvydas Mockus, President International W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Bodybuilding Federation) Federation DSc. Edmundas Daubaras, Candidate to the Parliament Republic Lithuania Klaipeda Polititian Gintaras Martinkenas, Participant of “Amber Prix International” (1968 - 2025) Gargzdai Event Organizer Viktoras Kura, 2020 U.N.E.S.C.O. Award Holder and President Lithuania Fitness Sport Federation Darius Daubaras, W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. International Silver Honour Medal Holder World Pro Bodybuilding Legend Natalia Murnikoviene, W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. International Silver Honour Medal Holder Vidmantas Malakauskas, W.F.F - W.B.B.F. International Official Alina Pelepko, President Lithuania Bodybuilding Federation Modestas Puise, Chairman Lithuania Bodybuilding Academy Remigijus Bimba, 2024 Over All W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Pro “Universe” Champion President Latvia Bodybuilding Federation Maris Sveiduks, Lithuania Bodybuilding Statist Arunas Petraitis, Lithuania Bodybuilding Legends U.S.S.R. Champion Saulius Misevicius, U.S.S.R. Champion Raimundas Petraitis, U.S.S.R. Champion Ricardas Petrauskas, Tautvilas Rinkevicius, Aleksas Stankus, Igor Karpec, Vidmantas Lukys, Romas Mile and Famous Contemporary Bodybuilders Over All W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Amateur Europe Champion Martynas Pakalnis, Arvydas Mickus, Rokas Razanauskas, Over All W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. World Champion Vaida Budriene, 2023 W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. Pro Europe Champion Raimundas Urbanavicius.

BODYBUILDING IN LITHUANIA. HISTORY.

Annual F.I.H.C. (Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturisme) Weightlifting World Championship was organized in 1959 in Warszawa (People’s Republic of Poland). Traditionally together was organized F.I.H.C. World bodybuilding championship (“Universe”). Since 1947 until 1969 member I.O.C. (International Olympic Committee) F.I.H.C. ruled official World bodybuilding sport. At that time egzisting private bodybuilding companies like American W.B.B.G. (World Body Building Guild) of DAN LURIE, I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) of brothers BEN and JOE WEIDERS, British Social Club N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) could not confront official F.I.H.C.. Under initiative of BOB HOFMAN (Robert Collins Hoffman, 1898 - 1985) trough F.I.H.C. first International Bodybuilding Federation (Comission, «Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.») was established in the U.S.S.R.. It was set at the “U.S.S.R. Weightlifting Federation” («Федерация тяжёлой атлетики С.С.С.Р.»). There were no bodybuilders in the U.S.S.R. at that time so the work did not start.

In 1965 first bodybuilding competition was organized in Kaunas (Lithuanian SSR). In 1966 first International contest of Socialist Countries was organized in Vilnius (Lithuania SSR).

HOW BODYBUILDING WAS DEVELOPED LATER.

Because of F.I.H.C. bodybuilding was an official recognized sport until 1969. In 1968 during a contest in Kaunas (Lithuania SSR) a new International U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Organization was created. That was the “U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation” (Comission,«Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.»). It led bodybuilding sport until 1973 when bodybuilding due to political reasons was prohibited in the U.S.S.R. and Socialist Countries. Among the creators of the new organization were Lithuanians VALERIJ KORESKOV and VYTAUTAS ZUMERIS - both at the Parliament Republic Lithuania received the W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Bodybuilding Federation) International Honour Silver Medals. In 1968 “Amber Prix International” (“Gintarinis prizas”, «Янтарный приз»,1968 - 2025) was started in Klaipeda (Lithuanian SSR) which still goes on.

In 1969 FI.H.C. refused to govern bodybuilding sport. Some time bodybuilding was nowhere. But it lasted not long. In 1970 during the International Congress and “Universe” contest F.I.H.C. General Secretary OSCAR STATE created the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) sport federation in Belgrade (Yugoslavia). Until that time Weider brothers JOE and BEN could not do this. The reason was the lack of their education and they did not knew anything about official sport. But OSCAR STATE knew this very well. So he did it. In 1971 OSCAR STATE led the new I.F.B.B. federation to membership in G.A.I.S.F. (Global Association of International Sports Federations). That closed doors for all other bodybuilding organizations to become recognized officially. Until 1998 the only one representative of official recognized bodybuilding sport became the I.F.B.B..

In 1972 during a meeting of Lithuanian bodybuilders in Kaunas ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS through dirty intrigues replaced JUIOZAS JUSEVICIUS. Friends of ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS Kaunas organizers ALEKSAS NOVIKOVAS and RAMUTIS KAIRAITIS supported him and that caused the dictatorship of all three through next decades. That was the reason that Vilnius bodybuilding went it’s way and Klaipeda also was not together. Klaipeda bodybuilding organizers underlined International contacts and worked with bodybuilders of the U.S.S.R. and other Socialist Countries.

In 1973 due to political reasons bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R. and Socialist Countries was prohibited and prosecuted. Many bodybuilders left the sport. Socialist bodybuilding was isolated from the “West” and went on his own way - that were the underground activities.

FIGHTS DURING BODYBUILDING PROHIBITION.

When bodybuilding was prohibited all competitions were done secretly underground and without spectators. All were afraid of prosecution. For example, 1974 “Amber Prix International” (“Gintarinis prizas”, 1968 -2025) DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS organized in the Klaipeda (Lithuanian SSR) sea port bomb shelter. Unsatisfied with the situation DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS on his own risk did public contests in Telshiai and Klaipeda in 1977. Then he decided to address the Governmental Institutions.

During several years DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS had correspondence with the “U.S.S.R. Ministry of Sport” («Министерство спорта С.С.С.Р.») and with the main U.S.S.R. sport newspaper “Sovetskij Sport” («Советский спорт») but there were no positive results for bodybuilding.

In 1977 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS visited Minister Sport Lithuanian SSR ZIGMAS MOTIEKAITIS. The Minister was against helping bodybuilders. Then DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS decided to address the Highest U.S.S.R. Political Powers. To defend bodybuilding sport DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS wrote a long petition. All U.S.S.R. bodybuilders and their leaders did not support DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS - they were totally afraid. There was no possibility to send the petition through post as political control would not let the letters to go to Moscow. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS personally brought the petition to Moscow and presented it to the “Central Committee of the U.S.S.R. Communist Party” («Центральный Комитет Коммунистической Партии С.С.С.Р.») and to the “U.S.S.R. Ministry Council ( «Совет Министров С.С.С.Р.») and to the main U.S.S.R. political newspapers “Pravda” («Правда») and Izvestija” «Известия»). Then  DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS came back to Klaipeda and started waiting for bad happenings. It is a rule - all good works are being punished.

DSC.EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS STOPPED U.S.S.R. BODYBUILDING PROHIBITION.

DSc.EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS received several calls after bringing bodybuilding defending petition to the highest U.S.S.R. political powers in Moscow. Calls were from the “Central Committee of the U.S.S.R. Communist Party” («Отдел пропаганды Комитета коммунистической партии С.С.С.Р.»). The petition questions were spoken over. After some time the connection of phone of DSc.EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was stopped. DSc.EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was invited to the department of the Communist Party of Klaipeda city. Chairman of the department JONAS GURECKAS told DSc.EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS not to bother Moscow any more. “We are giving You permeation to organized bodybuilding “Amber Prix” (“Gintarinis prizas”, «Янтарный приз», 1968 - 2025) in Klaipeda”. It was a strange decision - bodybuilding was prohibited in the U.S.S.R. and DSc.EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS can organize bodybuilding contest in Klaipeda. Anyway it was the Victory for all bodybuilders of Socialist Countries.

This way in 1978 the first bodybuilding contest was done in public. Through years of bodybuilding prohibition “Amber Prix International” and “Georg Tenno Memorial («Мемориал Георга Тенно», 1971 - 2025, Estonian SSR) were the only one traditional International competitions of Socialist Countries.

Later political Comsomol organizers started public contests in Kaunas and then it came to Vilnius.

The article will be continued.

Pictures used from vsfoto.lt.

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