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RE: 2027 WORLD SPORT NEWS - WFF/WBBF Secretary - 09-09-2026
World sport history.
2001 WFF World Championship in Zwickau: The International Fitness Scene in One Place.
From November 23–25, 2001, the WFF World Championship was held in the German city of Zwickau. It was one of the important international fitness events of that period, bringing together athletes from various countries. In the same year, the WFF European Championship was held in Tallinn, Estonia, while the World Championships moved to Germany.
This championship was also significant in the broader history of the WFF. The World Fitness Federation was established in 1995. At that time, it was led by two presidents: Dr. Edmundas Daubaras represented the “Eastern” countries, while Klaus P. J. Hoffmann represented the “Western” countries. After Hoffmann withdrew from WFF activities in 2003, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras remained the sole head of the international federation.
A Broad Competition Programme
The championship programme covered more than one specific fitness discipline. The official results include categories such as “Mr. Fitness Juniors,” “Mr. Junior Performance,” “Mr. Fitness,” “Mr. Extreme Fitness,” “Mr. Athletic Fitness Over 30 Years,” as well as the women’s “Miss Fitness,” “Miss Athletic Fitness,” and “Miss Performance Fitness Over 30 Years” categories. In addition to individual events, pairs competitions were also organised.
This structure shows that the championship sought to accommodate different groups of athletes. Younger participants had their own categories, separate events were intended for athletes over 30, while in some categories the emphasis was placed not only on an athlete’s individual physique and preparation but also on the overall stage performance.
As a result, the championship in Zwickau was more than a single standard individual fitness competition. It was a multi-discipline event in which athletes could compete according to different criteria and in different age or performance groups.
Junior Competitions
One part of the championship was dedicated to younger athletes. The official list for the “Mr. Fitness Juniors” category contains seven participants. First place went to Germany’s Patryk Wieczorek, second place to Lithuania’s Vladimir Petrov, and third place to Tobias Schasten of Germany. The results table also lists the points awarded by the judges and the final rankings.
The presence of junior categories at the World Championship was significant because the WFF competition system was not limited to experienced adult athletes. Younger competitors could also participate in an international championship and compete against athletes from other countries in their age group.
International competition was also evident in the women’s junior events. In the “Miss Junior Fitness” category, the first two places were taken by Lithuanian representatives Jelena Marchenko and Eglė Barisevičiūtė, while third place went to Latvia’s Anita Nitecka.
Thus, the junior section formed a separate and important part of the overall championship programme, aiming to showcase not only the current leaders of the sport but also the younger generation of athletes.
Diversity of Adult Categories
Competition among adult athletes was even broader. The men’s programme included various categories, among them “Mr. Fitness,” “Mr. Extreme Fitness,” and “Mr. Athletic Fitness Over 30 Years.”
In the “Mr. Extreme Fitness” category, first place went to Greece’s Vasilis Zachilis, while second place was taken by Lithuania’s Julijus Grishajev.
A separate category was designated for athletes over 30. In the “Mr. Athletic Fitness Over 30 Years” group, the winner was Germany’s Andreas Wilms. Second place went to Danish athlete Henning Kristensen, while third place was taken by Germany’s Udo Walther.
The women’s programme also featured several different events. For example, in the “Miss Performance Fitness Over 30 Years” category, first place went to Germany’s Corina Mayer. She was followed by fellow German athlete Silvia Schor, while third place went to France’s Marie Piere Ripert.
In another women’s event, “Miss Athletic Fitness,” the winner was Russia’s Svetlana Pugachova, while second place went to Germany’s Susan Malekpur-Shirazi.
These results show that the championship sought to distinguish between different types of athletic preparation and performance, giving participants the opportunity to compete in categories suited to their particular strengths.
Pairs Performances
Pairs competitions held a special place in the championship programme. They offered a different perspective on fitness competition, as the focus was not only on an individual athlete’s physical preparation but also on the joint performance of two people.
In the “Fitness Pairs” category, first place went to the German pair Cornelia Trost and Thomas Riedel. Second place was awarded to the Dutch pair Chantelle Tanke and Raymond Punter, while third place went to Germany’s Tanja-Leona Meyer and Philip Magenheimer. Latvian pairs were also listed further down the results.
Another event was “Fitness Performance Pairs.” First place went to the German pair Lucie and Udo Walther, second place to Russia’s Svetlana Pugachova and Artiom Ovsojan, and third place to Germany’s Corina Mayer and Andreas Trienbacher. Other participants included representatives from Latvia, Estonia and Croatia.
The pairs events added further variety to the championship and allowed athletes to compete not only individually. They were also one of the areas in which cooperation between athletes from different countries and the importance of stage performance were particularly evident.
An International Judging Panel
The international judging panel was an important part of the championship. Official documents list judges from Greece, Lithuania, the United States, Russia, Belarus, Austria, Germany, France and other countries.
Among the judges were Anargiros Tsopouridis of Greece, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras and Edita Sendrienė of Lithuania, Bob Gruskin of the United States, Andrej Basov of Russia, Fidel Sedych and Tatjana Kovalco of Belarus, Markus Schlager of Austria, Tamara Konz and Wolfgang Iben of Germany, and Oliver Ripeir of France.
Such a judging panel emphasised the international character of the championship. The evaluation was not carried out solely by representatives of the host country; the geographical composition of the judging team was considerably broader.
Overall Championship Winners
In addition to the winners of the individual categories, the culmination of the championship was the selection of the overall winners. According to the official results, the “Mr. Over-All Winner” title was awarded to Lithuania’s Mindaugas Kvasys, while Germany’s Corina Mayer became the “Miss Over-All Winner.”
The overall winner title was distinctive because it was not tied exclusively to one particular category. It represented an overall assessment of the championship and gave additional significance to the entire competition programme. Following the individual category contests, these two athletes were listed as the overall winners of the 2001 WFF World Championship.
The Geographical Diversity of the Championship
The results of the championship in Zwickau reflect a broad geographical representation of participants. The official lists include representatives from Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Greece, Austria, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Croatia, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden, the United States, Israel and other countries.
This is particularly evident in the pairs categories and in the men’s and women’s individual events, where representatives of other European countries regularly appear alongside German athletes in the results tables. Such distribution of participants allows the championship to be viewed as an international sporting platform where athletes from different countries could compare their preparation and competitive experience.
The Significance of the 2001 Championship
The 2001 WFF World Championship in Zwickau was an event in which several different areas of fitness came together. Individual men’s and women’s events, junior categories, groups for athletes over 30, an extreme fitness category and pairs competitions formed a diverse programme.
The championship results also reveal the geographical character of the international fitness scene of that period. Athletes from many European countries participated, as well as representatives from the United States and Israel. Not only the athletes but also the judging panel had an international composition.
The Zwickau World Championship can therefore be regarded as one of the WFF events of that period in which an effort was made to bring different forms of fitness competition together on a single stage. From juniors to veterans, and from individual performances to pairs events, the entire programme reflected the broad approach to fitness sport adopted by the WFF at the time.
The competition held in Zwickau from November 23–25, 2001, remains an interesting historical record that provides an insight into the international fitness competition system taking shape at the time, its categories, judging structure and the geographical diversity of its athletes.
More information is on international site www.wff.lt
RE: 2027 WORLD SPORT NEWS - WFF/WBBF Secretary - 09-10-2026
LITHUANIA AND THE INTERNATIONAL BODYBUILDING MOVEMENT
The First International Bodybuilding Congresses in Lithuania
From the Restoration of Independence to International Leadership
The restoration of the independence of the Republic of Lithuania in 1990–1991 marked not only a profound political transformation, but also the beginning of a new era in Lithuanian sport.
After decades within the Soviet sports system, Lithuanian sporting organizations faced the difficult task of rebuilding their national structures, establishing independent international contacts and securing recognition within the global sporting community.
Bodybuilding was among the sports in which this process became particularly visible.
In May 1991, with the support and mediation of the Ministry of Sports of the Republic of Lithuania and personally Minister Algirdas Raslanas, the Lithuanian National Bodybuilding Association (LNKA) was officially registered at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania. The initiative and organizational work behind its establishment were undertaken by Edmundas Daubaras.
For Lithuania, this was more than the creation of another sports organization. It represented an important step toward restoring an independent national presence in international bodybuilding.
The Struggle for International Recognition
The foundations for this development had been laid even before the formal restoration of Lithuanian independence.
In December 1990, Edmundas Daubaras travelled to New York, where he held discussions with Ben Weider, then President of the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (IFBB). The objective was clear: to secure recognition for Lithuanian bodybuilding and to enable Lithuanian athletes to enter the international arena independently of the Soviet bodybuilding structure.
At that time, however, Ben Weider declined to recognize Lithuania's independence and would not accept Lithuanian bodybuilders into IFBB outside the Soviet federation structure.
Faced with this position, LNKA turned to the National Amateur Body-Builders' Association (NABBA) and began developing international cooperation through that organization.
The decision quickly produced tangible results.
At the NABBA European Championships in France, Lithuanian athletes Natalija Murnikovienė and Rolandas Bučinskas won European titles. Even more importantly from a political and sporting perspective, NABBA formally recognized the independence of Lithuania and the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee from the Soviet Union.
The political situation changed dramatically following the failed August coup in Moscow in 1991. During these decisive months, however, the Lithuanian SSR bodybuilding federation, led by Roman Kalinauskas, Vice-President of the USSR Bodybuilding Federation, did not support Edmundas Daubaras's initiatives and continued to await developments in Moscow.
The subsequent course of events demonstrated how closely the development of Lithuanian sport was connected with the country's broader struggle to establish its independent international identity.
Klaipėda: A New International Sporting Hub
The next major stage began in Klaipėda.
The international Amber Prize bodybuilding tournaments held in Klaipėda in 1994 and 1995 proved highly successful. Their growing international reputation led to an ambitious decision: the 1996 NABBA European Championships would be held in Klaipėda.
The choice was significant. A city on Lithuania's Baltic coast, recently emerged from the Soviet system, was now preparing to welcome athletes, officials and sports leaders from across Europe.
The international momentum continued.
The 1997 European Championships were held in Vilnius, while 1998 saw the WFF World Championships staged in Palanga.
These were major international sporting events for Lithuania. They received the support and financial backing of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, while television coverage was provided by Eurosport, including reports lasting up to an hour.
The level of hospitality offered to participants was equally remarkable for the period. International guests and Lithuanian athletes were accommodated and provided with meals free of charge in hotels in Klaipėda, Palanga and Vilnius.
The message was unmistakable: Lithuania was no longer merely seeking a place in international bodybuilding. It was becoming a host, organizer and active participant in the international development of the sport.
THE BIRTH OF INTERNATIONAL CONGRESSES IN LITHUANIA
The championships were accompanied by another development of lasting importance.
Prior to the 1996 and 1997 European Championships, international bodybuilding congresses were organized in Lithuania. These gatherings brought together leaders and representatives of bodybuilding organizations from numerous countries.
The congresses were not simply administrative meetings held to coordinate competitions.
They became forums for discussing the future of bodybuilding, the development of international organizations and the emergence of new sporting disciplines.
One of the most significant subjects was the future of fitness.
At the time, organized fitness was still in its formative stages internationally. Edmundas Daubaras argued that fitness had the potential to develop along an independent path rather than remaining merely a subdivision of bodybuilding.
This vision would prove consequential.
Over the following decades, fitness increasingly established itself as a distinct international sporting discipline. The separation of the two disciplines continued to develop, ultimately reaching a new stage with the 2024 World Championships in Nida, when fitness was formally separated from bodybuilding within the organizational framework described by the WFF-WBBF movement.
THE 1996 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS – KLAIPĖDA
The 1996 congress brought together representatives of 15 countries.
The congress leadership included Edmundas Daubaras, Richardas Krinickis, a multiple winner of the Amber Prize tournament and head of the State Control Committee, and German representative Klaus Hofmann.
The participating delegations were:
• France – Serge Delselle;
• Estonia – Vladimir Jelufimov;
• Israel – Alex Stuknov;
• Ukraine – Yuri Yeriomenko, Gennady Dern;
• Russia – Vladimir Shubov, Nikolai Nikulin;
• Czech Republic – Bob Divilek;
• Belgium – Roland Block;
• Greece – Anargiros Tsopouridis;
• United Kingdom – Jim Charles, Alan Gordon;
• Latvia – Maris Šveiduks, Aivars Visockis;
• Italy – Paola and Filippo Massaroni;
• Bulgaria – Zdravko Ivanov;
• Belarus – Georgy Katulin;
• Lithuania – Yuri Stepanov, Saulius Kirmelevičius.
The gathering was significant because it brought together representatives from countries that only a few years earlier had occupied very different positions within the European political and sporting landscape.
In this sense, the congress in Klaipėda was itself a reflection of the changing map of European sport.
THE 1997 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS – VILNIUS
The following year, the international congress moved to Lithuania's capital.
In 1997, representatives met in the conference hall of the Villon Hotel in Vilnius, one of the city's prestigious venues at the time.
The international leadership structure had also developed. Klaus Hofmann served as President of the International NABBA Association, while Edmundas Daubaras served as its Vice-President.
The 1997 congress expanded its international representation to 17 countries.
The congress leadership consisted of Edmundas Daubaras and Klaus Hofmann.
The participating representatives were:
• Greece – Anargoros Tsopouridis, Dora Tsopouridis;
• United Kingdom – Alan Gordon;
• Ukraine – Vasily Bespalenko;
• Russia – Vladimir Shubov;
• Czech Republic – František Zamola, Bob Divilek;
• Belarus – Fidelis Sedykh, Georgy Katulin;
• France – Jose Martinez, Eleonora Jauks;
• Germany – Tamara Konz, Andreas Muller;
• Belgium – Roland Block;
• Italy – Filippo Massaroni;
• Switzerland – Jimmy Largis;
• Latvia – Maris Šveiduks, Aivars Visockis;
• Estonia – Aleksander Selnichinas;
• Austria – Karin Rosner;
• Israel – Victoria Miller, Elli Hanna;
• Netherlands – Karl Aartaas;
• Lithuania – Saulius Kirmelevičius.
The Vilnius congress confirmed that Lithuania had become an established meeting point for international bodybuilding leaders.
The significance of these gatherings extended beyond the competitions themselves. They created a platform where representatives from different countries could exchange ideas, establish contacts and consider the long-term development of bodybuilding and fitness.
THE CREATION OF THE WORLD FITNESS FEDERATION
The international discussions taking place in Lithuania coincided with another important development.
In **1995, Edmundas Daubaras and German bodybuilding leader Klaus Hofmann initiated the establishment of the World Fitness Federation (WFF).
The organization initially operated under a dual-presidency structure. Edmundas Daubaras represented the countries of the East, while Klaus Hofmann represented the West.
This arrangement reflected the geopolitical realities of the period. Europe was emerging from decades of political division, and international sports organizations were themselves adapting to a rapidly changing environment.
The WFF provided a framework in which representatives from different regions could cooperate within a common international sporting structure.
In 2003, after Klaus Hofmann withdrew from active involvement in the WFF, Edmundas Daubaras continued as the organization's leading figure.
A VISION THAT OUTLIVED THE ERA
Looking back, the international bodybuilding congresses held in Lithuania in 1996 and 1997 can be understood as more than historical episodes surrounding European Championships.
They were part of a broader transformation.
For Lithuania, they represented the country's return to the international sporting community after decades of Soviet control. For international bodybuilding, they provided a meeting place where organizations from different parts of Europe and beyond could establish new relationships and discuss the future of the sport.
Most importantly, they became a forum for ideas.
Among those ideas was the conviction that fitness could and should develop as an independent international sporting discipline. What initially appeared to be a forward-looking concept gradually became a reality as fitness established its own identity, competitions and organizational structures.
LITHUANIA'S PLACE IN INTERNATIONAL SPORTING HISTORY
The history of Lithuanian bodybuilding in the 1990s should therefore be viewed in a broader context.
It was not simply a story about national championships, individual athletes or the organization of competitions. It was part of Lithuania's return to the international community.
In a relatively short period, Lithuania progressed from rebuilding its national bodybuilding structures to hosting European and World Championships, organizing international congresses and participating in the creation of new international sporting organizations.
Klaipėda, Vilnius and Palanga became venues where athletes, officials and sports leaders from many countries met at a time of profound change in European history.
The international congresses of 1996 and 1997 remain an important chapter in this story.
They demonstrate how sport can become an instrument of international cooperation and how a newly independent country can, within a remarkably short period, move from seeking international recognition to actively shaping the future of a global sporting movement.
Lithuania was not merely returning to the international bodybuilding arena. It was helping to build a new chapter in it.
RE: 2027 WORLD SPORT NEWS - WFF/WBBF Secretary - 09-11-2026
60 YEARS OF LITHUANIAN BODYBUILDING:
WHO REALLY HAS THE RIGHT TO CLAIM THIS HISTORY?
Sixty years. Hundreds of competitions. Dozens of international events. Government attention. International recognition. Global television coverage.
And today there are people who want to rewrite the history of Lithuanian bodybuilding.
They can try.
But there is one problem.
History has archives.
Documents.
Dates.
Press publications.
Television recordings.
Government decisions.
International federation documents.
So let us ask a very simple question:
WHO ACTUALLY CREATED THE HISTORY OF LITHUANIAN BODYBUILDING?
Not the person who talks the loudest about themselves.
Not the organization with the most attractive website today.
Not the organization handing out the most medals and diplomas.
Not whoever currently calls themselves the “leader of Lithuanian bodybuilding.”
But those who actually worked when it was difficult.
FIRST CAME THE BAN
The history of Lithuanian bodybuilding was not convenient.
In 1973, bodybuilding was banned.
Period.
But a ban did not mean that people stopped training.
Training continued.
Competitions continued.
The activity continued.
Just not in the way the authorities wanted.
An underground period began.
And here it is extremely important to separate history from legends being created today.
Who took risks back then?
Who organized?
Who resisted?
Who tried to preserve bodybuilding?
Who looked for a way forward?
1978: THE PETITION TO MOSCOW
In 1978, Edmundas Daubaras prepared a petition defending bodybuilding.
It was presented to the highest political institutions of the USSR, including the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
Bodybuilding remained banned.
But something was nevertheless achieved.
Edmundas Daubaras was permitted to officially organize the Amber Prix tournament in Klaipėda.
The tournament became an unofficial USSR bodybuilding championship.
Think about it.
Bodybuilding was banned.
Competitions were unwanted.
The system was against you.
And yet an international bodybuilding tournament was held in Klaipėda.
Today it is very easy to call yourself a “historic leader.”
In 1978, it was much harder.
AND WHAT WAS KAUNAS DOING?
In 1979, the Komsomol Cup competitions began to be organized in Kaunas.
They were dedicated to Komsomol dates and occasions.
That too is history.
It should not be hidden.
But it should not be rewritten either.
On one side was an attempt to resist the ban and preserve bodybuilding activity.
On the other was an attempt to operate within the Soviet system.
These were two different paths.
Therefore, when assessing organizational significance before the restoration of Lithuania's independence, two major phenomena stand out:
the Amber Prix and the Komsomol Cup.
Everything else is sometimes inflated today to a scale that the historical record does not support.
1990: THE DOORS OF IFBB WERE CLOSED
After the restoration of independence, the real test began.
It was no longer enough to be a bodybuilder.
It was no longer enough to organize local competitions.
It was necessary to prove that Lithuania could operate internationally as an independent state.
In December 1990, in New York, Edmundas Daubaras negotiated with IFBB President Ben Weider regarding the recognition of Lithuanian bodybuilding.
The objective was clear:
Lithuania had to be independent.
But at that time IFBB did not recognize Lithuania's independence.
The doors were closed.
What should be done?
Sit and wait?
Or act?
The second path was chosen.
1991: LITHUANIA CREATES ITS OWN ORGANIZATION
In May 1991, with the support of the Ministry of Sports of the Republic of Lithuania and personally Minister Algirdas Raslanas, the Lithuanian National Bodybuilding Association — LNKA — was registered at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania on the initiative of Edmundas Daubaras.
This was not simply a beautiful name on a piece of paper.
It was an attempt to create an independent Lithuanian bodybuilding system.
Cooperation with NABBA was chosen.
And the result?
At the NABBA European Championships in France, Lithuanian representatives Natalija Murnikovienė and Rolandas Bučinskas became champions.
Even more importantly, NABBA officially recognized the independence of Lithuania and the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee from the USSR.
This is where we are no longer talking about beautiful stories.
We are talking about international recognition of Lithuania in sport.
AND WHERE WERE THE OTHERS?
This is where the uncomfortable part of history begins.
When Lithuania was fighting for international recognition, there were not dozens of today's organizations.
There was not today's multitude of federations.
There were not all the “historic leaders” we see today.
History always produces many people who want to stand next to victory.
Very few want to remember the time before victory.
Who was there then?
Who acted?
Who took risks?
Who built?
Who travelled abroad and negotiated?
The answers do not need to be invented.
They are in the documents.
AFTER 1991, SUDDENLY EVERYONE BECAME A “PATRIOT”
The August 1991 coup attempt in Moscow changed the political situation.
And then something very interesting happened.
More “brave” people appeared.
More people began talking about independent Lithuanian sport.
But history is not social media.
It is not enough to write:
“We were the first.”
Show the document.
It is not enough to say:
“We did a lot.”
Show the events.
It is not enough to say:
“We represented Lithuania.”
Show the international recognition.
NOW — THE NUMBERS
Sometimes numbers say more than a hundred promotional texts.
In 1996, 1997 and 1998, European Championships were held in Lithuania.
Reports about them were broadcast by Eurosport.
In 1998, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, World Championships were held in Lithuania.
In 2007, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania voted in a separate budget line to fund the 40th Amber Prix.
In 2017, CNN broadcast a report marking the 50th anniversary of the Amber Prix.
Let us repeat that:
CNN.
Global television.
This is not the notice board of a local sports club.
WHEN THE STATE ENTERS THE SPORTS HALL
Over the years, more than ten international press conferences were held at the Lithuanian news agency ELTA.
Senior Lithuanian government officials participated.
High-ranking state officials served as heads of organizing committees for international events.
Among them were ministers, members and officials of the Seimas, county leaders and mayors.
These included Algirdas Butkevičius, Kęstutis Skrebys, Rišardas Krinickis, Kęstutis Virketis, Gediminas Kirkilas and other representatives of the Lithuanian state.
Since 2004, international delegations have been received at the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania more than ten times.
People involved in international sport have received awards for their contributions.
This is not a Facebook opinion.
This is part of the history of Lithuania's state institutions.
NOT JUST BODYBUILDING
There is another fact that is convenient to forget.
Beginning in 1995, new sports directions were introduced:
sport for people with disabilities, children's Fit-Kid, fitness multi-events, fitness models and other programs.
Beginning in 1996, international congresses were held in Lithuania to discuss the future of sport.
Some of these ideas later appeared in similar forms within other international sports organizations.
Therefore, this is not only about who won a medal.
It is about who created new directions in sport.
37 PUBLICATIONS. DIFFERENT LANGUAGES. THE WHOLE WORLD.
Over the years, 37 issues of magazines and DVD publications were produced in different languages.
They were distributed in different countries around the world during international sporting events.
Why?
So that the world would know about Lithuania's activities.
So that Lithuania's name would be visible.
So that the international community would receive information about Lithuanian bodybuilding.
And this work continues today.
Since 2012, the World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia has been under preparation.
Of the three planned volumes, texts for almost two have already been completed.
A historical book for the 60th anniversary of the Amber Prix is also being prepared.
Photographs.
Documents.
Archives.
Dates.
History.
Not mythology.
2026–2027: NOW LET US SEE WHO IS REALLY WORTH WHAT
From October 24–26, 2026, the 37th World Championships are planned to take place in Nida.
In May 2027, the 60th Amber Prix tournament will be held.
Preparation for these events began back in 2025.
Sixty years.
Think about that number.
How many of today's organizations can demonstrate a sixty-year history?
How many can demonstrate activity during the Soviet ban?
How many can demonstrate international recognition of Lithuania?
How many can demonstrate government support?
How many can demonstrate CNN?
How many can demonstrate Eurosport?
How many can demonstrate receptions at the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania?
How many can demonstrate World and European Championships held in Lithuania?
How many can demonstrate international congresses?
How many can demonstrate publications in different languages?
How many?
AND HERE IS THE PROBLEM
Today, many people want to become part of history.
Fine.
But being part of history and creating history are not the same thing.
Having an organization and building an international sports system are not the same thing.
Holding local competitions and organizing a World Championship are not the same thing.
Handing out medals and achieving international recognition from state institutions are not the same thing.
Writing an article about yourself and having an archive covering several decades are not the same thing.
These things cannot simply be placed on the same level.
YOU CANNOT STEAL HISTORY
You can rename an organization.
You can change a logo.
You can create a new federation.
You can declare yourself a leader.
You can publish a hundred promotional statements.
You can even try to retell the past.
But there are things you cannot change.
A date.
A document.
An archive.
A government decision.
International recognition.
A television recording.
An event that actually took place.
A publication that was actually produced.
These are the evidence of history.
SO LET US ASK THE QUESTION ONCE AGAIN
Who acted when bodybuilding was banned?
Who organized underground activities?
Who appealed to the highest institutions of the USSR?
Who preserved the Amber Prix?
Who created a national bodybuilding organization after independence was restored?
Who fought for Lithuania's international recognition?
Who organized European and World Championships?
Who received support from the Government of the Republic of Lithuania?
Who was received at the Seimas?
Who was shown on Eurosport?
Who was featured on CNN?
Who created new sports disciplines?
Who organized international congresses?
Who published 37 international publications?
Who is preparing the World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia today?
Who is preparing the historical book for the 60th anniversary?
The answers exist.
They do not need to be invented.
60 YEARS — AND THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING
In 2027, the Amber Prix will celebrate its 60th anniversary.
But this is not the end.
It is a new stage.
More international cooperation.
The Olympic direction.
New international projects.
An even broader promotion of Lithuania's name around the world.
And yes, the plans are ambitious.
Perhaps even too ambitious for those who are accustomed to setting small goals.
But great things have never been accomplished by people who were afraid of great ambitions.
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU TO BELIEVE US
This is the most important point.
We are not asking you to believe our version of history.
We are asking you to check it.
Open the archives.
Find the documents.
Look at the dates.
Check the decisions of state institutions.
Search the television archives.
Study the documents of international organizations.
And then compare.
Not words.
Deeds.
Not advertising.
Results.
Not today's declarations.
Six decades of history.
AND THEN ANSWER
WHO ACTUALLY CREATED THE HISTORY OF LITHUANIAN BODYBUILDING?
The answer does not depend on who shouts the loudest.
The answer is already there — in history.
History cannot be claimed.
History cannot be erased.
History cannot be rewritten with a single statement.
Because when the documents speak, advertising falls silent.
60 YEARS OF THE AMBER PRIX.
60 YEARS OF LITHUANIAN BODYBUILDING HISTORY.
Let those who speak the loudest step aside.
Let the facts decide.
Let the documents decide.
LET HISTORY DECIDE.
RE: 2027 WORLD SPORT NEWS - WFF/WBBF Secretary - 09-12-2026
2008 INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT "AMBER PRIX"
Klaipėda, Lithuania, 2008
In 2008, alongside the international “Amber Prix” tournament held in Klaipėda, the organizers of the global WFF–WBBF federation were actively working on staging the traditional “Universe” competition in Vilnius, as well as the WBBF World Professional Championship. At the same time, the WFF World Professional Championship, featuring substantial prize money, was again organized in Prague at the Žofín Palace by Czech businessman Martin Kuta.
Edmundas Daubaras Inducted into the Kingdom of Denmark Hall of Fame
In 2008, during the WFF–WBBF World Federation "Universe" championship held in Vilnius to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the "Amber Prix International", representatives of Denmark officially informed, by means of a formal letter, that Edmundas Daubaras had been inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Kingdom of Denmark.
This international distinction is awarded to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the development of international sports cooperation. Daubaras' induction into the Hall of Fame recognized his many years of dedication and significant achievements in promoting international bodybuilding and fitness.
Following a meeting between the leaders of the WFF-WBBF Federation and the Minister of Sport of the Republic of Poland, Zbigniew Pacelt, Bydgoszcz businessman Jerzy Gotowski took the initiative to organize the WFF-WBBF World Amateur Championship in his city.
This important decision became a significant step in strengthening the Federation’s international recognition and promoting the development of bodybuilding and fitness sports throughout Europe. The organization of the event brought together the efforts of the city authorities, the business community, and sports organizations, while the championship itself became one of the most important WFF-WBBF sporting events of the year.
The World Amateur Championship held in Bydgoszcz gathered athletes from numerous countries and further reinforced the Federation’s position in the international sports arena.
“Amber Prix”
The 2008 "Amber Prix" competition took place in the sports hall of LCC International University.
On the occasion of the event, former President of the Austrian Parliament Professor Alfred Gerstl presented the people of Klaipeda with a unique collection of original photographs of his protégé, then Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as a documentary film depicting Schwarzenegger’s life journey and athletic career.
The photographs were displayed in an exhibition held on the premises of LCC International University, while the documentary film was screened for the large audience gathered to watch the competition.
The official opening ceremony was attended by members of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, representatives of national and municipal institutions, and other distinguished guests. The event was filmed by a production crew from the Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), which had arrived from Vilnius.
During the 2008 “Amber Prix” tournament, both living and deceased veterans were honored. After the competition, heads of foreign delegations visited the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania and the Ministry of Sport of the Republic of Lithuania, and also attended a press conference held at the ELTA news agency.
On the occasion of the event, a historical trilingual magazine (10,000 copies) and 3,000 copies of the competition DVD were published. These materials were distributed free of charge at various international events around the world.
A total of 293 athletes from 21 countries participated in the event: Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, and Ukraine.
Results
(only first three places)
FIT-KIDS DIVISION
Girls up to 8 years
1. Marcelina Porożyńska (Poland)
2. Maja Dembowska (Poland)
3. Karolina Młot (Poland)
Girls up to 10 years
1. Nikola Szydłowska (Poland)
2. Natalia Janta (Poland)
3. Ugnė Klumbyte (Klaipeda, Lithuania)
Girls up to 12 years
1. Klaudia Korpan (Poland)
2. Paulina Rocławska (Poland)
3. Aleksandra Dudáková (Slovakia)
Girls up to 14 years
1. Miriama Zigálová (Slovakia)
2. Stanislava Dolinská (Slovakia)
3. Kateryna Bezrodna (Ukraine)
Girls up to 16 years
1. Joanna Kwiatkowska (Poland)
2. Oksana Didukh (Ukraine)
3. Sylwia Kaczmarek (Poland)
Boys up to 10 years
1. Anton Florija (Vilnius, Lithuania)
Boys up to 14 years
1. Dmytro Girya (Ukraine)
AEROBIC FITNESS
Up to 18 years
1. Anita Bekus (Poland)
2. Radvile Jokubauskyte (Klaipeda, Lithuania)
3. Marta Noska (Poland)
Up to 21 years
1. Alina Olefirenko (Ukraine)
2. Agata Czerkawska (Poland)
3. Daria Shumarova (Ukraine)
Women – Category I
1. Natalia Bocian (Poland)
2. Ivana Sokolova (Slovakia)
3. Elena Tarasova (Russian Federation)
Women – Category II
1. Marija Deksne (Latvia)
2. Irina Nikitina (Klaipeda, Lithuania)
3. Vilma Asijaviciene (Marijampole, Lithuania)
Men
1. Andrius Smaguris (Vilnius, Lithuania)
2. Mikhail Glazunov (Russian Federation)
3. Piotr Grinevich (Belarus)
Women's Masters
1. Erzsébet Herczog (Hungary)
2. Elena Odentsova (Ukraine)
3. Svetlana Galkina (Russian Federation)
ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES DIVISION
Wheelchair Category
1. Petar Milenković (Serbia)
2. Arturas Krutulis (Marijampole, Lithuania)
3. Genadij Zametaskin (Kaunas, Lithuania)
General Disability Category
1. Nikolaj Mironov (Vilnius, Lithuania)
FITNESS MODEL
Category I
1. Lenka Maková (Slovakia)
2. Aušra Tasiukeviciute (Kaunas, Lithuania)
3. Weronika Krajewska (Poland)
Category II
1. Roberta Burokaite (Kaunas, Lithuania)
2. Ksenija Dunderski (Serbia)
3. Juste Matulyte (Kaunas, Lithuania)
Category III
1. Eva Martinková (Slovakia)
2. Jadwiga Krizanovska (Latvia)
3. Sylwia Kaczmarek (Poland)
Category IV
1. Rita Elksniņa (Latvia)
2. Aleksandra Sizonova (Klaipeda, Lithuania)
3. Veronika Juhaseva (Slovakia)
WOMEN'S SPORT FITNESS
Juniors up to 16 years
1. Brigita Vecerskaite (Palanga, Lithuania)
2. Vaida Grebliauskaite (Kaunas, Lithuania)
3. Aleksandra Ivanova (Bulgaria)
Juniors up to 18 years
1. Radvile Jokubauskyte (Klaipeda, Lithuania)
2. Juste Matulyte (Kaunas, Lithuania)
3. Anita Bekus (Poland)
Youth up to 21 years
1. Zita Satkauskaite (Telsiai, Lithuania)
2. Alina Olefirenko (Ukraine)
3. Lenka Maková (Slovakia)
Women – Category I
1. Oksana Rumyantseva (Russian Federation)
2. Nataša Maksimović (Serbia)
3. Nora Loranen (Finland)
Women – Category II
1. Oksana Usachova (Russian Federation)
2. Kristina Serksnaite (Kaunas, Lithuania)
3. Tatiana Dudneva (Russian Federation)
Women – Category III
1. Jamila Vanessa Toledo (Argentina)
2. Irina Pateshkina (Russian Federation)
3. Kirsi Marika Tuominen (Finland)
Women – Category IV
1. Monika De Jesus Bolaños (Mexico)
2. Odeta Vaisnoriene (Vilnius, Lithuania)
3. Natalia Lysenko (Ukraine)
Women – Category V
1. Ilona Kokos (Vilnius, Lithuania)
2. Irina Fedoruk (Belarus)
3. Andrea Koflach (Austria)
MEN'S SPORT FITNESS
Juniors up to 16 years
1. Rokas Kasperavicius (Kaunas, Lithuania)
2. Deividas Savickas (Vilnius, Lithuania)
3. Valdas Miseikis (Klaipeda, Lithuania)
Juniors up to 18 years
1. Edgaras Linortas (Kaunas, Lithuania)
2. Tadas Tumbortas (Kaunas, Lithuania)
3. Lukás Palaga (Slovakia)
Youth up to 21 years
1. Erik Tóth (Slovakia)
2. Deividas Ignatavicius (Vilnius, Lithuania)
3. Mantas Stankevicius (Kaunas, Lithuania)
Men – Category I
1. Anton Yezhov (Russian Federation)
2. Alexey Chigarov (Russian Federation)
3. Artur Sinickij (Vilnius, Lithuania)
Men – Category II
1. Vadim Gushchin (Russian Federation)
2. Jukka-Pekka Nousiainen (Finland)
3. Deniss Gladkijs (Latvia)
Men – Category III
1. Leonid Filatov (Russian Federation)
2. Roman Polsin (Estonia)
3. Dmytro Strelnikov (Ukraine)
Men – Category IV
1. Darius Buksnaitis (Sakiai, Lithuania)
2. Davyd Tukhtayev (Russian Federation)
3. Nikolaos Giannakis (Greece)
Men – Category V
1. Arvydas Miseikis (Klaipeda, Lithuania)
2. Sergej Kiriuchin (Vilnius, Lithuania)
3. Predrag Milosević (Serbia)
Men – Category VI
1. Vladimir Polyakov (Russian Federation)
2. Normunds Jurans (Latvia)
3. Eduard Larin (Russian Federation)
Men – Category VII
1. Vitalijus Kuzmycius (Vilnius, Lithuania)
2. Aleksandr Shevtsov (Estonia)
3. Alexey Tarasov (Russian Federation)
OVERALL CHAMPIONS
Women's Overall Champion: Jamila Vanessa Toledo (Argentina)
Men's Overall Champion: Darius Buksnaitis (Lithuania)