60 YEARS OF LITHUANIA BODYBUILDING

[Chairman Judges Committee]

WORLD BODYBUILDING HISTORY.
BODYBUILDING IN SEVENTIES OF LAST CENTURY.
When in 1965 - 1966 first bodybuilding contests started in the Socialist World - A.A.U. (Amateur Athletic Union) was organizing bodybuilding competitions already twenty seven years; member of International Olympic Committee federation F.I.H.C. (“Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturisme”) was organizing bodybuilding contests nineteen years;  N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) was doing it already sixteen years; Commercial Company I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) did it’s sevenths “Mr. Universe” and W.B.B.G. (World Body Building Guild) of DAN LURIE (1923 – 2013) started competitions in 1966.
FULL ARTICLE and more information on International Site www.wff.lt

[Chairman Judges Committee]

WORLD BODYBUILDING HISTORY.
1966.FIRST INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING CONTEST.
The World was full of enthusiasm. A man got deep into the ocean. A man got high into cosmos. Also a man got possibilities through bodybuilding exercises to change his body.
BODYBUILDING IN SEVENTIES OF LAST CENTURY.
When in 1965 - 1966 first bodybuilding contests started in the Socialist World - A.A.U. (Amateur Athletic Union) was organizing bodybuilding competitions already twenty seven years; member of International Olympic Committee federation F.I.H.C. (“Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturisme”) was organizing bodybuilding contests nineteen years;  N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) was doing it already sixteen years; Commercial Company I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) did it’s sevenths “Mr. Universe” and W.B.B.G. (World Body Building Guild) of DAN LURIE (1923 – 2013) started competitions in 1966.
Due to a member of the I.O.C. (International Olympic Committee) International F.I.H.C. (“Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturisme”) federation bodybuilding became an officially recognized sport. The popularity of bodybuilding grew tremendously then around the World. Socialist World too.
In 1965 - 1966 first local level contests were organized in Moscow (R.S.F.S.R.) and Vilnius and Kaunas (Lithuanian SSR). Competitions were held under F.I.H.C. rules - power exercises and posing.
BEGINNING.
The first U.S.S.R. bodybuilders were famous R.S.F.S.R. and Estonian SSR weightlifters MARK SAFRAN (Марк Шафран, 1936), ROMAN MOROZ (Роман Мороз), first weightlifting World Champion representing the U.S.S.R. (in 1946) GRIGORIJ NOVAK (Григорий Новак), GEORG TENNO (Георг Тенно), GENNADIJ BALDIN (Геннадий Балдин). They gave a start of this sport in the U.S.S.R.. We are mentioning Estonian SSR as it’s representative GEORG TENNO was living and working in R.S.F.S.R. and among Russia Weightlefters who created and developed bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R..
FIRST INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING CONTEST.
Under influence of the F.I.H.C. federation with support of the National Ministries of Sport a number of bodybuilding contests were held. First was organized a competition in Moscow where IGOR PETRUCIN (Игорь Петрухин) was the Winner. Then in 1966 the first in sport history International bodybuilding contest was held in Vilnius (Lithuanian SSR). The above mentioned persons took part in the contest. The Winners were the same IGOR PETRUCIN, RYTIS MACIJAUSKAS and KLEMENSAS ALSAUSKAS. Second places came to CESLAV TAMULEVIC, GENADIJ BALDIN and ANATOLIJ PRIC. Third places came to MARK SAFRAN, RIMANTAS ZUJUS and ALGIMANTAS RAMANAUSKAS.
By the way, later CESLAV TAMULEVIC and GENADIJ BALDIN were awarded with the W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Bodybuilding Federation) “International Honiur Silver Medals”.
FULL ARTICLE and more information is on International Site www.wff.lt

[Chairman Judges Committee]

DO YOU KNOW ANY BODYBUILDER WHO IS DOCTOR OF MEDICAL SCIENSES?
GET TO KNOW HIM - ZYGIMANTAS JUODEIKIS.
Working since 2015 at Vilnius University Hospital in 2018 medicine specialist ZYGIMANTAS JUODEIKIS did necessary steps to become a Doctor of Medical Sciences - DSc. ZYGIMANTAS JUODEIKIS.
For a number of years DSc. ZYGIMANTAS JUODEIKIS was attending the oldest in Lithuania Klaipeda bodybuilding “Amber Gym” and participated at various contests. Being sixteen years old DSc. ZYGIMANTAS JUODEIKIS reached Lithuania Power Records. He bench pressed 220 kgs. and squatted with 260 kgs.. In 2003 still being Junior age DSc. ZYGIMANTAS JUODEIKIS participated at the W.F.F. - W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Bodybuilding Federation) Europe Amateur Championship in Moscow (Russian Federation) and among grown up athletes became a Category Winner.
More detailed information is on International Site www.wff.lt

[Chairman_Organizing_Committee]

SOCIALIST WORLD BODYBUILDING HISTORY.
FIRST ARTICLE. LET US START.
We are still working on the “World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia” («Энциклопедия всемирного культуризма»). Until now nobody covered total World Bodybuilding History. There are only some fragmentary stories. For example, some time ago a book about former bodybuilder and President of the National Bodybuilding Federation of Russia VLADIMIR DUBININ (Владимир Дубинин) was published. But after  his defeat in 1974 “Georg Tenno Memorial” («Мемориал Георга Тенно», 1971 - 2024) VLADIMIR DUBININ totally left our sport until 1986. In 1986 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS (Др. Эдмундас Даубарас) invited him to “Amber Prix International” (“Gintarinis prizas”, «Янтарный приз», 1968 - 2025) and this way brought him back to bodybuilding activities. Anyway until 1987 VLADIMIR DUBININ was a sportsman and trainer and never was among bodybuilding organizers and leaders. So what could be written in the book of VLADIMIR DUBININ when during thirteen years he was out of the game? Similar situation is with other bodybuilding “history writers”.
Through the last century for a long time World was divided into capitalist (Western) and Socialist (Eastern) parts. In sport too. In bodybuilding as well.
From time to time some historic information about the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) federation appeared in bodybuilding press. At the same time still there is no historic information about the “Eastern” bodybuilding. Everything that is available is nothing serious. Somebody use to name himself a “Great Champion”, some name themselves “Great Organizers”.
Most important bodybuilding events happened through the life of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. He participated everywhere - on National level, on Socialist and World bodybuilding level as well. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS graduated Vilnius State University with specialties of Philology and Law. Comparing with all U.S.S.R. bodybuilders and Organizers DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was the only one to know languages. This let him to communicate with everybody direct. It is the reason DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was personally in the center of the main International Events in Socialist Countries and in all the World  too. He was not only involved in these events - some of them he initiated himself. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was in friendly contacts with all most important VIP Persons of World bodybuilding - the I.F.B.B. President Canadian BEN WEIDER, the W.A.B.B.A. (World Amateur Body Building Association) President French SERGE NUBRET and the N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) Chairman British OSCAR HEIDENSTAM.
Fourty years passed since Socialist system was ruined. Various rumors spread about Socialist bodybuilding. We will make the question clear.
Most often we mention famous bodybuilders and their wins at the competitions. Anyway the sport is developed not by sportsmen. It were sport organizers and bodybuilding leaders that develop our sport. Often those organizers are forgotten. Bodybuilders not appear themselves - to reach the top they need a skilful trainers suggestions and advises. There should be organizers that are making Great Contests for the bodybuilders and then they became great. There should be some persons to advertise and publish the wins of bodybuilders. Without this nobody can be a Great Champion and nobody can have a Great Name.
We will write this article basing on bodybuilding Events in Socialist World and mentioning the “Western” World only in the background. Until Encyclopedia works go on we will do our best to publish a separate book about bodybuilding in the Socialist World.
NOTHING COMES OF NOTHING.
PART TWO. BEGINNING OF BODYBUILDING SPORT.
We will not speak now about the bodybuilding happenings in the very beginning of the twentieth century. At that time bodybuilding was not sport. Just a number of enthusiasts were pending time this way.
When we mean the beginning of bodybuilding as sport we should start with the USA. Until there was no Ministry of Sport in the US all sports were governed by the Amateur Athletic Union (A.A.U.). A.A.U. was established in 1888. Аmong other sports A.A.U. was governing National Weightlifting Federation. On International level weightlifting was governed by a member of I.O.C. International F.I.H. (Federation Internationale Halterophile) Federation. Called as “Father of America Weightlifting” American BOB HOFFMAN (Robert Collins Hoffman, 1898 - 1985) was one of the F.I.H. leaders then. When under initiative of BOB HOFFMAN in 1947 F.I.H. took International bodybuilding under it’s control the name was changed to F.I.H.C. (Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturisme).
BOB HOFFMAN used to produce an sell supplements, sport equipment and sport magazines. He was selling his products though the members of the F.I.H. that represented various countries. Nobody else could do the same. For example private I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) company owner Canadian BEN WEIDER had nothing to do with F.I.H. and all doors were closed for him. BOB HOFFMAN was seeking official recognition for bodybuilding.
1947. FIRST “MR. UNIVERSE” CONTEST.
The first real “Bodybuilding Empire” was created through the A.A.U. (Amateur Athletic Union)  in the USA by American BOBO HOFFMAN. In real A.A.U. united USA National Sport Federations and it was the Ministry of Sport in the USA at that time. They use to call BOBO HOFFMAN “the father of America Weightlifting”. A.A.U. since 1939 was organizing USA bodybuilding “Mr. America” contests. BOB HOFFMAN wanted to make bodybuilding an official recognized sport through A.A.U. and F.I.H.. Through A.A.U. and F.I.H. also he wanted to present bodybuilding sport to the World.  USA weightlifting though A.A.U. was a member of the International Weightlifting Federation F.I.H.
In 1947 F.I.H. organized the World Weightlifting Championship and International Congress in Philadelphia (USA). Under the efforts of BOB HOFFMAN the International Congress decided to lead and control World’s bodybuilding on official level. It was immediately decided to organize the first in Sport’s History International Bodybuilding “Mr. Universe” contest alongside with the F.I.H. World Weightlifting Championship in Philadelphia. Then the Over All “Mr. Universe” Champion was a pupil of BOB HOFFMAN a famous America weightlifter STEVE STANKO. That was a Historical Happening and STEVE STANKO became a Historical Person.
1948. SECOND “MR. UNIVERSE’ IN LONDON.
It was a tradition of F.I.H.C. not to organize World Weightlifting Championship in “Olympic” years. What to do with the second F.I.H.C. bodybuilding „Mr. Universe“ competition? Then the idea to organize the F.I.H.C. bodybuilding “Mr. Universe” during the 1948 “Olympic Games” struck BOB HOFFMAN. There were real ways because F.I.H.C. was a member of the International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.). BOB HOFFMAN addressed British OSCAR STATE who was the President of B.A.W.L.A. (British Amateur Weight Lifting Association) to assist him. At the same time B.A.W.L.A. asked the Chairmen of the British Bodybuilding “Health and Strength” Magazine to assist them too. Through F.I.H.C. departments in various countries B.A.W.L.A. invited athletes to the contest in London. At the same time BOB HOFFMAN brought USA bodybuilders to compete. There were 1800 spectators at the second F.I.H.C. “Mr. Universe” in London. All money profit of the competition went to B.A.W.L.A.. After several preliminary rounds the finalists were ANDRE DRAPP (France) and Americans JOHN GRIMEK and STEVE REEVES. JOHN GRIMEK was proclaimed the Over All Winner of the second F.I.H.C. “Mr. Universe”. STEVE REEVES spoke on microphone saying that “John Grimek is the greatest bodybuilder who ever lived“.
1950. FIRST N.A.B.B.A. “MR. UNIVERSE”.
In 1950 under the efforts of the Chairmen of “Health and Strength” Magazine N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) was created in the Great Britain. As a former N.A.B.B.A. President  IVAN DUNBAR told us – N.A.B.B.A. Association was juridically registered as a „Public Club“. In 1950 N.A.B.B.A. organized the first N.A.B.B.A. “Mr. Universe” in London. The Over All Champion was STEVE REEVES (USA). At the same time a member of the International Olympic Committee F.I.H.C. went on organizing it’s own “Mr. Universe” contest. Comparing with N.A.B.B.A. “Mr. Universe” F.I.H.C. competitions were the official ones. For the two decades no one could confront F.I.H.C. as the official Bodybuilding Sport was under F.I.H.C. control. Even the Commercial I.F.B.B. Company of the WEIDER  brothers JOE and BEN could not imagine even to think being equal to F.I.H.C..
1959.IMPORTANT TIME FOR SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING.
THIRD ARTICLE. BODYBUILDING COMES TO SOCIALST WORLD.
The thirteenth F.I.H.C.  (Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturisme) bodybuilding “Mr. Universe” contest was organized in 1959 in Warszawa (People’s Republic of Poland). Traditionally this contest was held together with the annual F.I.H.C. World Weightlifting Championship. First time in sport history Socialist audience and athletes  saw “live” bodybuilders direct. At the F.I.H.C. World Weightlifting Championship the U.S.S.R. weightlifters were the best. The personal leadership was under Japan origin American multiple Olympic Champion TOMMY KONO (Tamio "Tommy" Kono, 1930 – 2016) and Russian Olympic Champion YURY VLASOV  (Юрий Власов, 1935 – 2021). TOMMY KONO was a student of BOB HOFFMAN (Robert Collins Hoffman, 1898 - 1985) and in his life he three times became over all F.I.H.C. bodybuilding “Mr. Universe” Champion (1954, 1955, 1961). In 1987 YURY VLASOV became the first President of the officially recognized “U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation” («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.»). Again the biggest popularizer of bodybuilding through the World was BOB HOFFMAN.
The Over All Winner of the 1959 F.I.H.C. bodybuilding “Mr. Universe” in Warszawa was a National French bodybuilding Champion GUY MIERCZUK (born in 1936).
Several USA private companies tried to fight with International leadership of BOB HOFFMAN. That were the owners of private I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) commercial company brothers JOE (Joseph Weider, 1919 - 2013) and BEN (Benjamin Weider, 1923 - 2008) WEIDERS and another American DAN LURIE (1923 - 2013) with his own company W.B.B.G. (World Body Building Guild). Both companies were copying activities of BOB HOFFMAN but they had no chances to succeed as behind BOB HOFFMAN were International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.) members A.A.U. (Amateur Atlete’s Union) and F.I.H.C..
Copying BOB HOFFMAN along with the thirteenth F.I.H.C. bodybuilding “Mr. Universe” contest WEIDER brothers organized their first “Mr. Universe” in Mexico in 1959. That was a sad competition at there were only few competitors in three high categories from USA, Mexico, Canada ant England. Later in 1977 I.F.B.B. changed “Mr. Universe” name to the “World Championship”. I.F.B.B. Category Winners in Mexico were EMILIO KURY (Mexico), ED THERIAULT (Canada) and EDDIE SYLVESTRE (Mexico, 1931 - 2001). The Over All Winner was EDDIE SYLVESTRE and that was the greatest win of his sport life.
AMERICAN BOB HOFFMAN BROUGHT BODYBUILDING TO U.S.S.R..
INTERNATIONAL BODYBUILDING ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED.
In 1963 under direct influence American BOB HOFFMAN (Robert Collins Hoffman, 1898 - 1985) and British OSCAR STATE  (Oscar State, Obe
1911 - 1984) and under the initiative of the F.I.H.C. (F.I.H., Federation Internationale Halterophile, later F.I.H.C., Federation Internationale Halterophile et Culturiste, later I.W.F., International Weightlifting Federation) in the U.S.S.R. was established first International Bodybuilding Organization (Общественный комитет атлетической гимнастики С.С.С.Р.). of the Socialist World. The new federation was established at the “U.S.S.R. Weightlifting Federation” («Федерации тяжёлой атлетики С.С.С.Р.»). The U.S.S.R. Sport Ministry (Goskomsport, Госкомспорт С.С.С.Р.) appointed a known Russia weightlifter ROMAN MOROZ (Роман Мороз) as the President of this Organization. Then the U.S.S.R. was not ready to face this innovation and the new organization worked only formally. There were no bodybuilders in the U.S.S.R. then.
We would like to underline that the I.F.B.B. federation (International Federation of Body Builders) was created only in 1970 in Belgrade (Yugoslavia) by the General Secretary F.I.H.C. OSCAR STATE. WEIDER brothers JOE (Joseph Weider, 1919 - 2013) and BEN (Benjamin Weider, 1923 - 2008) had no education, no knowledge and no practice in official sport work. OSCAR STATE had. Until that time I.F.B.B. was only a commercial company of WEIDER brothers.
At the same time working since 1950 British N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) has been never connected with official sport.
FULL ARTICLE is on International Site www.wff.lt

[Chairman Judges Committee]

100 YEARS WORLD FITNESS HISTORY.
BRONE DUBAR - WORLD’S FIRST FITNESS ATHLETE.
International sport society knows very well about the U.S.A. sportsman BRONE DUBAR - DAUBARAITE (Broné “Brownie” Dubar, 1906 - 1986). Emigrated from Lithuania to USA in 1912 just before the First World War she was the World’s First Female Fitness Athlete. At that time there was no bodybuilding and fitness sport and BRONE DAUBARAITE did not participate at the competitions. As many athletes and strongmen of her time she travelled though the World Countries and demonstrated her unique acrobatic and gymnastic sport programs. Also at that time the same did famous USA male athletes LOUIS CYR (1863 - 1912) and CHARLES ATLAS (Charles Atlas, Angelo Siciliano, 1893 - 1972). Newspapers wrote that BRONE DUBAR looks like an image of “Vogue” magazine. When the second World War started BRONE DUBAR stopped her participation. Today we can say she was much ahead the time she lived. Due to her efforts several DUBAR families were involved in sports and still are.
More detailed information is on Global Site www.wff.lt

[Chairman Judges Committee]

BODYBUILDING AND FITNESS. WHAT IS IT?
SHORT HISTORY OF WORLD’S OFFICIAL BODYBUILDING SPORT.
If You want official bodybuilding sport – there was F.I.H.C. (Fédération Internationale Haltérophile et Culturiste) which ruled official bodybuilding sport in the World. Since 1947 until 1969 due to efforts of American BOB HOFFMAN (Robert Collins Hoffman, 1898 - 1985) through the F.I.H.C. federation bodybuilding was an officially recognized sport and it was very close to be Olympic. Since 1971 until 1998 F.I.H.C. was replaced by the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders). If You want real big not recognized anytime anywhere muscle battle – since 1950 You have N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association). What else a bodybuilder could dream of? Why appeared so many „mickey – mouse“ federations? Let us take as an example Lithuanian Republic. There are representatives of several „mickey – mouse“ federations. They make various festivals and they are proud of this. Where it could lead? To the festivals in other countries? Are they participant bodybuilders or they are „singers and dancers“ of the „song and dance festivals“? What is the official status of these federations? What is official status of their festivals? Really it is not sport.
F.I.H.C. was a member of the I.O.C. and it influenced the „U.S.S.R. Sport Ministry“ («Министерство спорта С.С.С.Р.») to set the „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ (Comission, «Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.») in 1963. The federation was set at the „U.S.S.R. Weightlifting Federation“ («Федерация тяжёлой атлетики С.С.С.Р.»). After 1973 bodybuilding prohibition in the U.S.S.R. and Socialist Countries bodybuilding was prosecuted for twenty years. During this time in the „Western World“ official recognized bodybuilding sport was led by the I.F.B.B. and not recognized bodybuilding activities were ruled by N.A.B.B.A.. At the same time in the Socialist World public U.S.S.R. bodybuilding lived and survived in the Estonian SSR only through „Georg Tenno Memorial“ («Мемориал Георга Тенно», 1971 - 2024) contest organized by INNAR MARDO (Иннар Мардо, 1945 – 2002) and in the Lithuanian SSR only through the „Amber Prix International“ („Gintarinio prizo“ «Янтарный приз», 1968 - 2024) organized by DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. During the prohibition years for political reasons it was not possible to set any International Bodybuilding Organization in the U.S.S.R.. Nevertheless DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS initiated official registration of „Klaipeda Bodybuilding Federation“ („Klaipėdos kultūrizmo federacija“, «Федерация культуризма г. Клайпеда»). It was registered at the governmental „Klaipeda Sport Committee“ („Kūno kultūros ir sporto komitetas“, «Комитет физкультуры и спорта г. Клайпеда»). In all U.S.S.R bodybuilding was prohibited and at the same time in Klaipeda bodybuilding was allowed. For many years „Klaipeda Bodybuilding Federation“ was the only one officially registered bodybuilding federation in the U.S.S.R.. This was the reason that all World‘s Bodybuilding leaders were in touch and correspondence with DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. That were I.F.B.B. President BEN WEIDER, N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) Chairman OSCAR HEIDENSTAM and W.A.B.B.A. (World Amateur Body Building Association) President SERGE NUBRET. Detailed articles on the topic are at the International Page www.wff.lt .
In 1970 F.I.H.C. General Secretary British OSCAR STATE created the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) sport federation in Belgrade (Yugoslavia). Until 1970 I.F.B.B. was just a private commercial company, not sport federation. In 1971 again OSCAR STATE opened doors of G.A.I.S.F. (Global Association of International Sports Federations)  to the I.F.B.B.. This way from and after the F.I.H.C. the I.F.B.B. took ruling leadership of the International official sport of bodybuilding. International sport was in shock. Soon in the USA was organized the A.A.U. International Council to stop I.F.B.B. membership in G.A.I.S.F.. I.F.B.B. President BEN WEIDER was present there. He was ready to join the A.A.U. with his new I.F.B.B.. The delegates did not listen to BEN WEIDER and voted not to let him to speak.
Fall of bodybuilding sport started in 1998 when after two years trial I.O.C. refused to recognize the I.F.B.B. federation and bodybuilding sport in general.  Bodybuilding was thrown out of the officially recognized sports. Seeing no future WEIDER brothers JOE and BEN sold the I.F.B.B. federation, „Olympia“ contest and all their magazines. In 2008 I.F.B.B. split. I.F.B.B. Vice President PAUL CHUA (Singapore) left the I.F.B.B. of RAFAEL SANTONJA. PAUL CHUA took forty Asia Countries with him. Then PAUL CHUA and the Lower and financist of I.F.B.B. ALEX BAUER published I.F.B.B. juridical and finance documents. There was a big scandal about it. PAUL CHUA and RAFAEL SANTONJA met at International Court of London (UK) where RAFAEL SANTAONJA lost the case. In 2015 I.F.B.B. split again. During N.P.C. (National Physique Committee) professional contest I.F.B.B. President RAFAEL SANTONJA was offended and left America with tears. After this he never came to America again. So after 2015 N.P.C. of JIM MANION came to International Bodybuilding Stage. Since that time because of fierce fight between RAFAEL SANTONJA and JIM MANION bodybuilding sport was finished in total. There is no sport of bodybuilding today any more. Along to this the I.F.B.B. commercial company still goes on working. Nobody is interested in sport – only money... In 2023 G.A.I.S.F. (Global Association of International Sports Federations) was closed and I.F.B.B. lost it‘s last formal officiality. For many years I.F.B.B. propaganda was based only on G.A.I.S.F.. In 2023 W.A.D.A. declared stopping work with I.F.B.B..
Those who are interested in real World bodybuilding history can read in various languages historic articles on International Page www.wff.lt .
FITNESS. WHAT IS IT?
BODYBUILDING. WHAT IS IT?
We look upon fitness and bodybuilding through sixty years of our activities in this sport. We represent fitness through World Fitness Federation (W.F.F., W.F.F. - International) and we represent bodybuilding through World Body Building Federation (W.B.B.F., W.B.B.F. - International). We will give a thorough explanation in our “World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia” («Энциклопедия всемирного культуризма»). Now we will present only a short revue.
BODYBUILDING.
During the latest years we underline that bodybuilding turned on the wrong was and got into terrible situation. Basic reason of this is politics of the owners of the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) and N.P.C. (National Physique Committee) organizations. They became crazy about money and forgot the sport. If we look through the eyes of official recognized sport only I.F.B.B. has some value. All other International bodybuilding organizations play zero role in the World’s sport. That are activities of a number of ambitious ill minded people. Businessmen never cared for sport - only money. Since 1998 bodybuilding is no more sport. In 1998 International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.) threw away the I.F.B.B. federation and refused to recognize bodybuilding as sport. That was the end of bodybuilding sport. Then I.O.C. members visited the I.F.B.B. Europe Championship in Switzerland and after ten minutes they left it. Any doping control was not needed. Everything was clear as daylight. After 1998 seeking to get governmental money a number of National I.F.B.B. Bodybuilding Federations former “Socialist” countries went on fooling their Ministries of Sport. They were hiding themselves behind the membership in G.A.I.S.F. (Global Association of International Sports Federations) and W.A.D.A. (World Anti Doping Agency). but in 2023 G.A.I.S.F. was closed and in 2023 W.A.D.A. refused to go on working with the I.F.B.B.. official recognition of the I.F.B.B. disappeared. Contemporary bodybuilding monsters and thousands of deaths of bodybuilders prove it. Bodybuilding will be never a sport again.
W.B.B.F.. WORLD BODYBUILDING FEDERATION.
We are not getting rid of bodybuilding. No. We are in bodybuilding sixty years. Lots of famous bodybuilders, organizers and trainers grew up in our federation. It is a pity, but bodybuilding as sport has no future any more. Anyway W.B.B.F. along with W.F.F. will go on organizing competitions for bodybuilders. Today bodybuilding has no more respect, no more support and recognition. But bodybuilders will not disappear. They will go on with what they love and compete. We will be together anyway.
FITNESS.
“Fitness” means a healthy activities. It is evident that fitness is not connected with bodybuilding. Bodybuilding is in opposition to health. Today bodybuilders, especially women bodybuilders, are hiding themselves behind the name of “fitness”. Having muscular doping bodies they found various names of “wellness”, “classics” “athletics” etc. fitness categories. But if any looks on them on contest stage - nothing changed. They are muscular bodybuilders. It is contemporary bodybuilding - not fitness.
Forty year ago  we were the first to popularize “fitness” on International level. Then fitness was something new and we went on making many experiments on it. Thirty years ago we started “Aerobic fitness”, then “Fit-kids”, “Power fitness” and “disabled fitness” appeared. Other International sport organizations always copied us. They do it today too. Seeing us to do REAL FITNESS politicians of various countries supported us but did nothing on Global level. We hope we will reach there our goals too.
W.F.F.. WORLD FITNESS FEDERATION.
Underlying terrible situation in bodybuilding W.F.F. - International addressed W.A.D.A. in 2007. W.A.D.A. Director RUNE ANDERSON wrote a letter saying W.F.F. is “formally a W.A.D.A. member”. Then some financial questions stopped us to fulfill the plan. We hope to do it in 2025. After 2024 successful International events in Kandava (Republic Latvia), Parnu (Republic Estonia), Klaipeda, Vilkaviskis and Nida (Republic Lithuania) we organized two International fitness congresses in Klaipeda. Basing on the activities of U.N.E.S.C.O. member International Sport University (I.O.C.) we seek official recognition at the U.N., I.O.C. and W.A.D.A.. When bodybuilding is finished on official level as sport - our fitness has a great future. Remember - fitness is not connected with doping bodybuilding never mix them both.
More detailed information is on International Sites www.wff.lt
CONTEST INFORMATION is on www.worldfitness.lt .

[Chairman_Organizing_Committee]

1991.SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING NEWS.
LITHUANIA BODYBUILDERS LEAVE U.S.S.R. FEDERATION.
Since 1971 until 1998 the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) federation was the sole International Bodybuilding Federation to represent official recognized sport. Then bodybuilding still was a sport. Since 1989 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was negotiating with his friend I.F.B.B.  President BEN WEIDER. Among other questions both negotiated about the membership of the Lithuania National Bodybuilding Federation in the I.F.B.B.. The membership should be not as a part оf the “U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation” («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.») but as an Independent member. That meant that the I.F.B.B. should recognize the Independent Republic Lithuania. In February 1991 there was referendum to separate with the U.S.S.R. held in Lithuania. 85 percent of citizen said “yes”.
During the process DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS through his fiend German (F.R.G, Federal Republic of Germany) GERHARD HUNGE paid the I.F.B.B. membership fee for Lithuania federation. Other way transaction was not possible as all international transactions were controlled by the bank of the U.S.S.R.. After this DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS sent official request to join the I.F.B.B. federation. In addition to this in order to prove the Country Independence  DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS translated the Constitution of the Republic Lithuania from Lithuanian to English language and sent it to Canada for BEN WEIDER.
This way since 1989 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS had meetings with BEN WEIDER in Moscow and Leningrad (U.S.S.R.), Paris (France), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and New York (USA). Finally after the 1990 “Miss Olympia” BEN WEIDER refused to recognize the Independent Republic Lithuania. He was on Moscow side. Lithuanians were not allowed to join the I.F.B.B.. BEN WEIDER was a businessman and he wanted to make business with the U.S.S.R.. Vice President of the U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation and President of the Bodybuilding Federation of Lithuanian SSR ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS did not support ideas and intentions of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. Even more - after proclaiming the Independent Republic Lithuania ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS joined the new Lithuania Communist Party of Mykolas Burokevichus. As it was during the fierce prohibition of bodybuilding in 1978, now DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was left alone again. Nobody of bodybuilders dared to support him and to stand against the U.S.S.R..
At the same time many of Lithuania bodybuilders supported the National Olympic Committee of the Independent Republic Lithuania and refused to participate in the official U.S.S.R. contests and to join the National teams of the U.S.S.R.. Having no International competitions many famous bodybuilders left sport. For example best U.S.S.R. bodybuilder Lithuanian VIKTORAS JUCYS.
At that time a number of best Lithuania bodybuilders were pupils of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS. They were - NATALIJA MURNIKOVIENE, EDMUNDAS REPSYS, VADIM SRYVKIN (Вадим Срывкин), RIMANTAS MAZIONIS.
Athletes needed contests and DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS found the way. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS wrote letters to the N.A.B.B.A. (World Amateur Body Building Association) Chairman OSCAR HEIDENSTAM and W.A.B.B.A. (World Amateur Body Building Association) Owner and President SERGE NUBRET. Both invited Lithuania bodybuilders to their contests: 1991 N.A.B.B.A. Europe Championship in Epinal (France) and 1991 W.A.B.B.A. World Championship in Japan.
I.F.B.B. PRESIDENT VISITS LITHUANIA.
WEIDER DID NOT SUPPORT INDEPENDENT LITHUANIA.
In March, 1991 I.F.B.B. President BEN WEIDER visited capital of the Independent Republic Lithuania Vilnius. Some months ago during meetings with DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS he refused to recognize Independent Lithuania and remained on the U.S.S.R. side. At the same time he wrote a letter to DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS asking to arrange his meetings with the Officials of the Republic Lithuania. On the way to Moscow BEN WEIDER planned to visit Lithuania. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS refused to assist him as BEN WEIDER did not change his position towards Lithuania Independence. He explained that Lithuanians will look other International Organizations to participate at the International Contests. BEN WEIDER asked not to be in a hurry but DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  said Lithuanians are waiting I.F.B.B. membership already three years.
So DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was not with BEN VEIDER during his visit to Vilnius. There was official meeting of BEN WEIDER with the Chairman Parliament Republic Lithuania VYTAUTAS LANDSBERGIS. President of the Lithuania Olympic Committee ARTURAS POVILIUNAS and his assistant KAZIMIERAS MOTIEKA were present at the meeting too. Also Vice President of the “U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation” («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.») and President of the Bodybuilding Federation of the Lithuanian SSR ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS was at the meeting as well.  BEN WEIDER visited Parliament, presented Diploma of Honour to VYTAUTAS LANDSBERGIS, had meetings with Lithuanian bodybuilders. Anyway, BEN WEIDER remained on the same position - at that time he did not recognize Independent Republic Lithuania and supported the U.S.S.R..
N.A.B.B.A. WAS FIRST TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT LITHUANIA.
MINISTRY SPORT INITIATES ORGANIZING BODYBUILDING ASSOCIATION.
In 1991 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS  visited Parliament of Republic Lithuania many times. Due to request of the President of Lithuania National Olympic Committee (L.T.O.K., Lietuvos Tautinis Olimpinis Komitetas) ARTURAS POVILIUNAS  DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS brought him official letter that International N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association)  association recognizes Independent Lithuania and Lithuania National Olympic Committee. Among all International Federations of all sports N.A.B.B.A. was first to recognize independent Republic of Lithuania. There were several months until August overthrow in Moscow. Everybody was afraid to support Lithuania. First of all among non supporters was Vice President “U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation” and also president national Bodybuilding federation of Lithuanian SSR ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS.
In order to support bodybuilding sport DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS addressed the Minister of Sport Republic Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublikos sporto ministras) ALGIMANTAS RASLANAS and the President of Lithuania National Olympic Committee ARTURAS POVILIUNAS. Both said that a new National Bodybuilding Organization of Independent Lithuania was needed. ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS with his federation of Lithuanian SSR was out of the game.
Minister of Sport Republic Lithuania ALGIRDAS RASLANAS gave order to assistant  ALGIMANTAS SALAMAKINAS to help DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to prepare documents for registration of the new federation.  In few hours documents were ready and next day new National Bodybuilding Association was registered at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublikos teisingumo ministerija).
President of Lithuania National Olympic Committee ARTURAS POVILIUNAS often mentioned that no International Federations support him. During 1991 March visit to Republic Lithuania I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) President BEN WEIDER refused to recognize Independent Lithuania and also he refused to take Lithuanians to the I.F.B.B. without permittion of the U.S.S.R.. At that time no one of Lithuania bodybuilding organizers dared to make a step against the U.S.S.R.. Everybody waited for something to happen - will Independent Lithuania stand against the U.S.S.R. or all Independence will be finished by Moscow. Again as it was in 1978 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was left alone with his own risky actions.
PRESIDENT “U.S.S.R. BODYBUILDING FEDERATION” ASKS HELP OF DSC. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS.
Many dirty things happen due to various intrigues. So happened in the “U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation” («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.») when it’s President VASILIJ CAIKOVSKIJ (Василий Чайковский) was overturned down. VASILIJ CAIKOVSKIJ was replaced by a Leningrad bodybuilder VLADIMIR DUBININ (Владимир Дубинин). The same things happened in 1988 when the first President “U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation” Olympic Champion JURIJ VLASOV (Юрий Власов) was replaced by VASILIJ CAIKOVSKIJ in 1988.
Knowing about good friendly relations of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS and President I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) BEN WEIDER in January 1991 VASILIJ CAIKOVSKIJ came to Klaipeda (Republic Lithuania) and directly asked DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to speak with BEN WEIDER. VASILJ CAIKOVSKIJ wanted DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to explain about the dirty matters in the “U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation” and to change the voting results. He accused the former Vice President “U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation” ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS as well.
DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS refused to help VASILIJ CAIKOVSKIJ as in 1990 and in 1991 BEN WEIDER refused to support the Independent Republic Lithuania and also BEN WEIDER refused to incorporate National Bodybuilding Federation of Lithuanian SSR into the I.F.B.B. without permeation of the U.S.S.R.. At that moment DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS already decided to start working with other International Bodybuilding Organizations but the I.F.B.B..
SOCIALIST WORLD PARTICIPATES AT N.A.B.B.A. EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP.
As there were difficulties with visas to W.A.B.B.A.  (World Body Building Association) World Championship in Japan, DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS decided to participate at 1991 N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body Building Association) Europe Championship in Epinal (France). National team of bodybuilders of Lithuania Republic was collected after the 1991 “Amber Prix International” («Янтарный приз», “Gintarinis prizas”, 1968 - 2024). The  team was: NATALIJA MURNIKOVIENE (Наталия Мурниковене), EDMUNDAS REPSYS, ROLANDAS BUCINSKAS, VADIM SRYVKIN (Вадим Срывкин) and EUGENIJ GORELIK (Евгений Горелик). All Lithuanian participants went to France free of charge and paid nothing. At the same time some athletes were getting constant stipendiary for preparation for contests and for the living expenses (for. Exampla NATALIA MURNIKOVIENE). Money for them was collected after selling at that time very popular DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS bodybuilding magazines. All together were issued 37 different magazines. The first one was “Arnold Schwarzenegger Recommends” (1989) and two million copies of only this magazine were sold in Socialist Countries.
During the contest in Epinal DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS got acquainted with the President N.A.B.B.A. Germany KLAUS P.J. HOFFMANN. About this we will write some time later in the third book of the “World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia” («Энциклопедия всемирного культуризма», „Pasaulinė kultūrizmo enciklopedija“ ). Later in 1995 both created W.F.F. -International (World Fitness Federation). At that time KLAUS HOFFMANN left his membership in W.A.B.B.A. and joined N.A.B.B.A. too. So in 1991 first medals of the independent Republic Lithuania were received at 1991 N.A.B.B.A. Europe Championship in Epinal. NATALIA MURNIKOVIENE and ROLANDAS BUCINSKAS became N.A.B.B.A. Europe champions.
After this Vice President of the  “U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation” («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.», “T.S.R.S. kultūrizmo federacijos”) and President of the Bodybuilding federation of the Lithuanian SSR ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS became crazy. He organized awful articles about DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS in Lithuanian press. At the same time ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS planned to join W.A.B.B.A. as the doors of the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) were closed for Lithuania at that time. Nobody had idea that 1991 “August Overthrow” («Августовский путч») will change everything.
1991 OVERTROW IN MOSCOW.
Nobody even saw in dreams that “1991 August Moscow Overthrow” (августовский путч в Москве) will loose so quick. The hew horizons were opened for all Socialist Countries. In sport too. The U.S.S.R. was fighting to remai alive and all Socialist Countries fighted for their independence.
After the “1991 August Moscow Overthrow” everybody who had been afraid to fight became “alive”. Now they were brave. Among them was Vice President “U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation” («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.») ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS (Романас Калинаускас). Only now he created “Lithuania bodybuilding federation” which later became the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) member. At the same time DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS (Др. Эдмундас Даубарас) led his “National Bodybuilding Association” (Национальная ассоциация культуризма Литовской Республики) and was going on to work with N.A.B.B.A. International (National Amateur Body Building Association). We would underline that in May, 1991 the Ministry of Sport Republic Lithuania assisted DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to create his federation. Owner and President of I.F.B.B. BEN WEIDER was acting as ROMANAS KALINAUSKAS. Only after the “1991 August Moscow Overthrow” BEN WEIDER dared to recognize Independent Republic Lithuania and to let Lithuania Bodybuilding Federation to join the I.F.B.B..
No one of the U.S.S.R. bodybuilding leaders knew anything about International Bodybuilding Organizations of the “Western World”. It took much time to get the truth about them. That lasted until when in 1996 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS and German KLAUS P.J.HOFFNMAN created the W.F.F. (W.F.F. - International, World Fitness Federation) in 1996. The W.F.F. was registered officially in 1999. Later in 2005 the W.B.B.F. (W.B.B.F. - International, World Body Building Federation) was created and registered in Lithuania. But about this we will speak in the third book of the “World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia” («Энциклопедия всемирного культуризма»).
Full article and more information is on International Site www.wff.lt