WFF-WBBF, ISU and Universities Around the World – Decades of International Academic Cooperation
Alongside its extensive and active international sports activities, we are launching a series of publications dedicated to the cooperation between the World WFF-WBBF Federation and the International Sport University (ISU) with universities in various countries around the world.
The origins of this cooperation date back to 1986, when qualification courses for athletes and methodological seminars for coaches and sports specialists were first organized in Klaipėda, Lithuania. Over time, these initiatives developed into an international network of educational and academic partnerships, extending beyond sports practice to include higher education and scientific collaboration.
For nearly four decades, the World WFF-WBBF Federation has consistently expanded its cooperation with universities, aiming to improve the professional qualifications of athletes, coaches, judges, and sports administrators, while promoting scientific research and international academic exchange. Since 2015, these activities have also been carried forward by the International Sport University (ISU), which has become an important platform for international educational projects and academic cooperation.
Among the Federation's most significant academic partners are one of the largest universities in the Indian State of Punjab, with approximately 200,000 students, the Jozef Raciborski University in Poland, the University of Physical Education in Bydgoszcz, the Polish State Higher School Wyższa Szkoła Gospodarki, the Ivan Franko University of Physical Education in Lviv (Ukraine), Stavropigion University, and a number of other institutions of higher education throughout Europe and Asia.
These partnerships have gone far beyond formal agreements and official visits. Over the years, numerous international conferences, seminars, lectures, qualification development programs, and joint academic projects have been organized, enabling the exchange of scientific knowledge, educational methodologies, and professional experience. Such activities have significantly contributed to the development of sports science, the improvement of coach education, and the strengthening of international professional cooperation.
The greatest value of this collaboration lies in its long-term commitment to connecting the practical world of sport with the academic community. This partnership has enabled the World WFF-WBBF Federation and the International Sport University not only to organize international sporting events but also to become active promoters of sports science, education, and professional development worldwide.
In this series of publications, we will present the major stages of this international cooperation, partnerships with universities across different countries, joint projects, significant meetings, and their outcomes. This is an important chapter in the history of the World WFF-WBBF Federation and the International Sport University, reflecting their enduring commitment to uniting sport, science, education, and international cooperation.
More information is on international site www.wff.lt
16 YEARS OF WORLD CHAMPIONS.
WFF-WBBF WORLD CUP — 2010–2025.
Since 1968 — more than five decades of international bodybuilding and fitness history. Since 2010 — a World Cup stage where new champions have been crowned year after year.
WFF-WBBF International — World Fitness Federation and World Body Building Federation — has been active on the international sports scene since 1968. Over the decades, the Federation has developed into an international sports organization uniting national federations and athletes from countries and continents around the world.
This is the history of a sport where there are no shortcuts.
It is a story of training, discipline, determination and years of preparation. A story of athletes who step onto the stage not only to demonstrate their physical condition, but also to represent their countries and write their names into international sports history.
2010 — THE BEGINNING OF A NEW WFF-WBBF ERA
In 2010, WFF-WBBF International began organizing World Cup competitions.
From that moment, the absolute winner of each year became part of a special chapter in WFF-WBBF history — the World Cup Overall Champion.
The first men's overall World Cup champion in 2010 was Aleksandr Sevcov of Estonia.
It was the first name in a new generation of champions.
In 2011, the title was won by Igor Belodedov of Russia, followed in 2012 by Abolfazi Aghakhani of Iran.
In 2013 and 2014, the overall World Cup title went to Reinaldo Jose Roberto Da Cruz, representing the UK–Portugal. Two consecutive titles became a remarkable achievement in WFF-WBBF World Cup history.
In 2015, the champion was James Sylvester Ono, representing the UK–Nigeria.
In 2016, the top position was claimed by Normunds Jurans of Latvia, while in 2017 the title went to Rasoul Vahid Faraziaghchehkand of Iran.
The 2018 champion was Aleksandr Kuznecov of Russia, followed in 2019 by Maros Kanasz of Slovakia.
In 2020, the overall title was won by Roman Polshin of Estonia.
However, from 2021 onward, a new and particularly notable chapter began in the history of WFF-WBBF World Cup champions.
POLAND AND LITHUANIA — A NEW ERA OF CHAMPIONS
In 2021, the men's overall World Cup title was won by Artur Kamieniak of Poland.
In 2022, the top position went to Vilius Pranckevicius of Lithuania.
In 2023, the title was claimed by Lukasz Kulinski of Poland.
In 2024, the overall World Cup champion was Andrius Pauliukevicius of Lithuania.
And in 2025, the newest WFF-WBBF World Cup men's overall champion was Kamil Kowalczyk of Poland.
Thus, in the most recent five-year period, athletes from Lithuania and Poland have been particularly prominent among the men's overall World Cup champions.
A new chapter in WFF-WBBF World Cup history has been written.
WOMEN — THE HISTORY OF WORLD CHAMPIONS
The women's World Cup history is equally rich, reflecting the international character of WFF-WBBF competition.
In 2010, the first women's overall WFF-WBBF World Cup champion was Liudmila Kolesnikova of Russia.
In 2011, the title went to Natalia Bykova, followed in 2012 by Jelena Kursanova.
Both athletes represented Russia.
In 2013, the overall title was won by Aleksandra Dolzenkova of Belarus, while in 2014 the champion was Svetlana Pugacheva of Russia.
In 2015, the title went to Liudmila Senciugova, and in 2016 to Liudmila Kakaulina.
In 2017, Leonor Hilario Greffel, representing Denmark–Mozambique, entered the history of the World Cup as overall champion.
In 2018, the title was won by Hollie Jade Feeney of the United Kingdom.
The years 2019 and 2020 belonged to Hanna Skytta of Finland, who became overall World Cup champion two years in a row.
In 2021, the title was won by Laura Siugale of Latvia.
In 2022 and 2023, the top position belonged to Anna Sobolewska Kucharska of Poland, who became overall World Cup champion for two consecutive years.
In 2024, the title was won by Vaida Budriene of Lithuania.
And the 2025 WFF-WBBF World Cup women's overall champion was Milena Mlynarczyk of Poland.
FROM ESTONIA TO LITHUANIA AND POLAND
Looking at the entire period from 2010 to 2025, we see much more than simply a list of champions.
It is 16 years of international sporting history.
During this period, WFF-WBBF World Cup overall champions have represented numerous countries, including Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Russia, Finland, Slovakia, Iran, Belarus, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Denmark, Nigeria and Mozambique.
Each country has contributed its athletes, sporting traditions and champions to this history.
The Baltic region and Poland have held a particularly visible position during the most recent years.
2022 — Lithuania.
2023 — Poland.
2024 — Lithuania.
2025 — Poland.
Four years, four champion names and two countries whose athletes have claimed the men's overall World Cup title.
THE TITLE OF A CHAMPION — A PART OF HISTORY
The WFF-WBBF World Cup overall champion title is more than a victory on a single competition day.
Behind every title stands a long journey.
Training.
Discipline.
Nutrition.
Preparation.
Stage experience.
The ability to compete against athletes from different countries around the world.
And above all — the determination to become better every day.
That is why every name that enters the history of the WFF-WBBF World Cup Overall Champions becomes part of the international legacy of the Federation.
From Aleksandr Sevcov in 2010 to Kamil Kowalczyk in 2025 — the men's history.
From Liudmila Kolesnikova in 2010 to Milena Mlynarczyk in 2025 — the women's history.
16 years. 32 champion names. Many countries. One World Cup history.
WFF-WBBF — A HISTORY THAT CONTINUES
Since 1968, WFF-WBBF International has worked to develop bodybuilding and fitness on an international level, unite national federations and provide athletes with opportunities to compete on the world stage.
Since 1990, the Federation has organized the annual World AM-Pro Championships, which have become an important part of its international sporting activities.
Since 2010, the WFF-WBBF World Cup has added another important tradition to this history — the annual recognition of overall World Cup champions.
Today, the names of the 2010–2025 champions already form a distinct chapter in WFF-WBBF history.
But the story does not end here.
Because every new season brings new athletes.
New challenges.
New champions.
And new names that will one day become part of this history.
WFF-WBBF WORLD CUP.
Since 2010 — the road of champions.
Since 1968 — international sporting history.
And the history continues.
“AMBER PRIX INTERNATIONAL”: 60 YEARS OF HISTORY THAT CANNOT BE ERASED FROM LITHUANIA’S SPORTING MAP.
In 2027, the “Amber Prix International” competition in Klaipėda will reach a remarkable milestone. It will mark the 60th anniversary of this historic event. Six decades is a period in which states, borders, political systems, sporting cultures and even the very understanding of competition have changed. Yet “Amber Prix” has survived. And the history of its champions allows us to see not only the development of bodybuilding, but also Lithuania’s place in the history of international sport.
It Is More Than Just a List of Winners
The name of the first “Amber Prix International” champion entered the competition’s history in 1967. The inaugural winner was Lithuanian athlete Klemensas Alšauskas.
Almost six decades later, in 2026, the title was once again won by a Lithuanian athlete — Grazvydas Naruševičius.
These two names, separated by nearly sixty years, symbolically close one great historical circle.
Between them lies an entire era of Lithuanian bodybuilding.
It is the story of athletes who trained under conditions completely different from those of today; the story of a period when Lithuania was not yet an independent state; the story of preserving sporting traditions after 1990; and, ultimately, the story of a competition that grew from a regional Baltic event into an international arena.
That is why “Amber Prix International” cannot be viewed simply as another bodybuilding competition.
It is a living sports archive.
Lithuania Was There From Day One
One of the most striking features of the competition’s entire history is the dominance of Lithuanian athletes.
The first years of “Amber Prix” were, in many ways, a chronicle of Lithuanian sport. In 1967, Klemensas Alšauskas won the title; in 1968, Leonas Pivoriūnas; and in 1969 and 1970, Antanas Mineikis.
The list of Lithuanian champions continued to grow.
During the 1970s, titles were won by athletes such as Risardas Krinickis, Stasys Cukanovas and Vytautas Zenkevičius.
In the 1980s, a new generation emerged — Vladas Kapcevičius, Saulius Misevičius, Jevgenij Gorelik, Vincas Dubickas, Algirdas Ivanauskas and Rolandas Bučinskas.
And then came the era of Viktoras Jucys.
In 1987, 1988 and 1989, he became the “Amber Prix International” champion three consecutive times.
Three consecutive victories are more than a statistical fact. They demonstrate that the competition stage was a place where an athlete could establish a reputation and become part of history.
The Soviet Era: A Competition That Survived
The history of “Amber Prix” cannot be separated from the era in which it was born.
In 1967, Lithuania was part of the Soviet Union. This means that the competition’s first decades developed within a completely different political and sporting system.
But sport has a special quality — it can preserve things that official documents sometimes fail to preserve.
Names remain.
Results remain.
Victories remain.
And today, by looking at the history of “Amber Prix International,” we can trace the development of entire generations of Lithuanian bodybuilding from a time when an independent Lithuanian state sporting system did not exist.
That gives the competition additional historical significance.
The 1990s: Lithuania Rediscovers Itself
After Lithuania restored its independence, it was not only the country’s political status that changed.
The sporting world changed as well.
Lithuanian athletes gained greater freedom to participate in international competitions, new opportunities emerged, new connections were established, and a new competitive environment developed.
But the “Amber Prix International” tradition did not disappear.
In 1990 and 1991, the winner was Olegas Žuras.
In 1994 and 1996, the title went to Algirdas Kilčiauskas.
In 1997, Rolandas Pocius became champion; in 1998, Ricardas Gurskas; and in 1999, Darius Buksnaitis.
This was a critically important period.
Lithuania was now independent, yet a competition that had begun during the Soviet era continued to exist.
This means that “Amber Prix” managed to cross the boundaries of political eras.
Klaipėda Becomes an International Stage
In the 21st century, the competition entered another fundamental phase.
“Amber Prix International” gradually ceased to be primarily a regional event.
Athletes from an increasing number of countries began travelling to Klaipėda.
In 2003, the winner was Latvia’s Aivars Visockis. In 2005, the title went to Russian athlete Ivan Sergeyev. In 2006, Latvia’s Aleksandr Liubomirov won, followed by Estonia’s Aleksandr Sevcov in 2007.
These names matter not only because they belong to champions.
They demonstrate that the competition had become a meeting point for the sporting schools of the Baltic region.
Klaipėda, geographically situated on the Baltic Sea, proved to be a particularly appropriate setting for an international sporting tradition.
The Real Turning Point — The Second Decade of the 21st Century
If, during the previous decades, the geography of “Amber Prix” had been primarily connected with Lithuania and other European countries, the 2010s changed the situation.
In 2010, Dharmender Singh of India won the title.
In 2011, another Indian athlete, Naftej Singh, became champion.
In 2012, victory went to Pir Sarandib Mehdi of Iran.
In 2013, Andrzej Brzezinski of Poland won.
In 2015, the champion was Ahmadi Arash of Iran.
In 2016, the title went to Jörg Fuchs of Germany.
In 2018, Aleksandr Sacharov of Uzbekistan won.
In 2019, the champion was Golap Rabha of India.
This was no longer simply a Baltic geographical footprint.
It was an international stage.
India, Iran, Uzbekistan, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — different sporting schools, different cultures, different training traditions.
And at different points in history, all of them met on the stage in Klaipėda.
“Amber Prix” Is Also a Story of Champions Returning
Another interesting feature of the competition is the return of former champions.
Radik Manafov won in 2000 and 2002.
Aleksandr Maslovskij won in 2001 and 2004.
Darius Buksnaitis won in 1999 and 2008.
Maroš Kanaš won in 2017 and 2020.
This means that “Amber Prix” was not simply a one-time stop in an athlete’s career.
For some champions, the stage became a place worth returning to.
From a sporting perspective, this is one of the strongest indicators of a competition’s prestige.
The Modern Era: The International Character Is Here to Stay
In 2021, the champion was Poland’s Artur Kamieniak.
In 2022, the title went to Ukrainian athlete Vasilij Bespalenko.
In 2023, Estonia’s Aleksej Lapshin won.
In 2024, the champion was India’s Rahul Joshi.
In 2025, Poland’s Szymon Lubecki took the title.
And then came 2026.
Grazvydas Naruševičius. Lithuania.
This victory came at a particularly significant moment.
Exactly 60 years earlier, Klemensas Alšauskas had become the first “Amber Prix International” champion.
Now, on the eve of the competition’s 60th anniversary, a Lithuanian athlete has once again brought the title back to Lithuania.
It is a powerful symbol.
2027 — More Than an Anniversary
Sixty years is a point at which a competition can no longer be judged only by what is happening today.
Its history begins to matter.
How many athletes have appeared on its stage?
How many times have champions changed?
How many countries have been represented?
How many athletes went on from “Amber Prix” to become recognised on the international stage?
And, most importantly — why has this competition survived while many other events from the same era have disappeared?
The answer lies in tradition.
“Amber Prix International” has survived political changes, transformations of the sporting system, the restoration of Lithuania’s independence, the emergence of new international federations and the appearance of new competitions.
It survived because it was never merely a one-year event.
It became an institution in the history of Lithuanian bodybuilding.
From Lithuanian Champions to the World
During the competition’s first decades, Lithuanian athletes were the undisputed leaders.
Then athletes from Latvia and Estonia arrived in Klaipėda.
Later came competitors from Russia, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine and Germany.
Eventually, the competition opened its doors to Asia — India, Iran and Uzbekistan.
This evolution is extremely significant.
It does not represent the loss of Lithuania’s position. It represents the growth of “Amber Prix” itself.
When a competition becomes attractive enough for athletes from different continents to compete for its title, its significance automatically changes.
It is no longer simply a Lithuanian or Baltic championship.
It is an international stage whose roots are firmly planted in Klaipėda.
A History That Must Be Preserved
Today, when sporting events are often judged by the results of a single day, “Amber Prix International” reminds us of another value of sport — continuity.
One champion arrives.
Another leaves.
Records are broken.
Generations of athletes change.
But the competition itself can survive.
And that is the greatest value of “Amber Prix International.”
From Klemensas Alšauskas to Grazvydas Naruševičius — almost six decades of history.
From Lithuanian dominance to champions from India, Iran, Uzbekistan, Poland, Ukraine, Slovakia, Germany, Latvia and Estonia.
From the Soviet era to independent Lithuania.
From a regional stage to an international competition.
“Amber Prix International” does not simply count the years — it counts generations of sporting history.
60 Years — And the Story Continues
The 2027 anniversary edition of “Amber Prix International” in Klaipėda will be more than another competition.
It will be a moment when today’s athletes meet six decades of history.
In 1967, the first stone was laid.
In 2026, a Lithuanian athlete once again brought the title back to Lithuania.
And in 2027, the 60th anniversary will arrive.
That is why the history of this competition should be regarded as more than a collection of bodybuilding results.
It is part of Lithuania’s sporting memory.
And as long as new champions continue to step onto the stage in Klaipėda, this story is not finished.
It continues.
60 YEARS OF THE HISTORIC AMBER PRIX!
In 2025, the Lithuanian bodybuilding community celebrated the 60th anniversary of the sport in Lithuania in Gargždai.
In 2026, it marked 60 years since the first international bodybuilding tournament in Eastern Europe was held in Vilnius.
In 2027, it will be 60 years since the first Amber Prix International tournament was held in Klaipėda in 1967. This international tournament has continued to this day, becoming an integral part of Lithuanian bodybuilding history and a unique sporting tradition in Eastern Europe.
Other long-established competitions also hold a special place in the history of world bodybuilding. One of the oldest is the NABBA Mr. Universe competition, first held in London in 1950. The Mr. Olympia competition, launched in the United States in 1965, also became an important milestone in the history of international bodybuilding.
In May 2027, Klaipėda will host three days of celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the Amber Prix International. Distinguished figures from Lithuanian and international sport, public life, and politics are being invited to this special commemorative event.
To mark the anniversary, the organizers also plan to publish a historical book in several languages. It will document the history of the Amber Prix International, its development, and its significance for Lithuanian and international bodybuilding.
Six decades represent not only a remarkable anniversary but also a testament to enduring sporting traditions, dedication to bodybuilding, and a legacy that unites generations of athletes, organisers, and enthusiasts of the sport.
For more information, visit the international website: WFF.lt
WORLD FITNESS FEDERATION (WFF-INTERNATIONAL)
WORLD BODYBUILDING FEDERATION (WBBF INTERNATIONAL)
SERIA INTERNATIONAL EVENTS 2026
Nida, Lithuania, October 24–26, 2026
Over 300 international athletes gathered in Nida, Lithuania, for a series of prestigious international bodybuilding and fitness events.
FINAL RESULTS
OVERALL WINNERS
37th WORLD AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Diana Vasylijeva (Ukraine)
Iori Nishizawa (Japan)
22nd WORLD PRO CHAMPIONSHIP
Marina Legenzova (Lithuania)
Piotr Sevcenko (Lithuania)
16th WORLD AMATEUR CUP
Eva Tejfalussy-Gesce (Hungary)
Piotr Soszynski (Poland)
16th WORLD PRO CUP
Iori Nishizawa (Japan)
41st AMATEUR WORLD GRAND PRIX
Jevgenija Stepanova (Lithuania)
19th PRO WORLD GRAND PRIX
Kamil Kowalczyk (Poland)
51st LITHUANIA CUP INTERNATIONAL
Ernestas Matukas (Lithuania)
Austeja Mazelyte (Lithuania)
3rd NERINGA MAYOR'S CUP
Dominika Volodina (Lithuania)
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS!
Congratulations to all the champions and participants who contributed to the success of these international events!
Full results will be published soon.
For the latest updates, visit the official international website: www.wff.lt
WORLD FITNESS FEDERATION (WFF-INTERNATIONAL)
WORLD BODYBUILDING FEDERATION (WBBF INTERNATIONAL)
SERIA INTERNATIONAL EVENTS 2026
Nida, Lithuania, October 24–26, 2026
Over 300 international athletes gathered in Nida, Lithuania, for a series of prestigious international bodybuilding and fitness events.
FINAL RESULTS
OVERALL WINNERS
37th WORLD AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Diana Vasylijeva (Ukraine)
Iori Nishizawa (Japan)
Over All Women Aerobic Fitness Champion Amelia Idzikowska (Poland)
Over All Men Aerobic Fitness Champion Nazarii Sokolovskyi (Poland)
22nd WORLD PRO CHAMPIONSHIP
Marina Legenzova (Lithuania)
Piotr Sevcenko (Lithuania)
16th WORLD AMATEUR CUP
Eva Tejfalussy-Gesce (Hungary)
Piotr Soszynski (Poland)
16th WORLD PRO CUP
Iori Nishizawa (Japan)
41st AMATEUR WORLD GRAND PRIX
Jevgenija Stepanova (Lithuania)
19th PRO WORLD GRAND PRIX
Kamil Kowalczyk (Poland)
51st LITHUANIA CUP INTERNATIONAL
Ernestas Matukas (Lithuania)
Austeja Mazelyte (Lithuania)
3rd NERINGA MAYOR'S CUP
Dominika Volodina (Lithuania)
DIVISION AND CATEGORY WINNERS
Over All Fitness Dance Champion Ada Kurkowska (Poland)
Over All Fitness Show Champion Nina Kurkowska (Poland)
Over All Fitness Acrobatic Champion Lena Pankau (Poland)
Over All Fitness Performance Champion Wiktoria Grabowska (Poland)
Over All Mini Trampoline Champion Katarzyna Malgorzata Rybak (Poland)
INTERNATIONAL JUDGES
General Judge Darius Daubaras (Lithuania)
Svetlana Pugacheva (Lithuania)
Aleksandra Kobielak (Poland)
Aleksej Filatov (Estonia)
Agata Pietrzyk (Poland)
Adele Guožerytė (Lithuania)
Kaoru Nagata (UK)
Alina Pelepko (Lithuania)
Anna Kwietniewska (Poland)
Iori Nishizawa (Japan)
Mantas Panavas (Lithuania)
Jelena Ivanova (Latvia)
Juzef Tamoševič Jakovič (Lithuania)
Meda Žemgulytė (Lithuania)
SECRETARIES
General Secretary Ugnė Raudytė Daubarienė (Lithuania)
Secretary Karolina Mlot (Poland)
Secretary Aneta Mucha (Poland)
BACKSTAGE JUDGES
Aistė Adomanskaitė
Vilius Rupeikis
David Melikov
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS!
Congratulations to all the champions and participants who contributed to the success of these international events!
Full results will be published soon.
For the latest updates, visit the official international website: www.wff.lt
WORLD FITNESS FEDERATION (WFF-International)
WORLD BODYBUILDING FEDERATION (WBBF-International)
International sporting activities since 1968 | 141 member countries | 60 international events annually!
MAJOR INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENTS OF 2027
May 7–9, 2027 | Klaipeda, Lithuania
Three major international bodybuilding and fitness competitions will take place in Klaipeda over three days:
60th AMBER PRIX INTERNATIONAL
27th AM/PRO UNIVERSE CHAMPIONSHIP
31st AM/PRO EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
KLAIPEDA WELCOMES THE INTERNATIONAL SPORTING COMMUNITY!
The World Fitness Federation (WFF-International) and the World Bodybuilding Federation (WBBF-International) invite athletes, coaches, sports officials, bodybuilding and fitness enthusiasts, and the general public to join these outstanding international sporting events.
Distinguished guests from various countries are also expected to attend, including representatives from political, sporting and public life.
Klaipeda will become an international meeting point for the bodybuilding and fitness community!
Dates: May 7–9, 2027
Location: Klaipeda, Lithuania
For further information, visit: www.wff.lt www.worldfitness.lt
See you in Klaipeda in 2027!
PRESS RELEASE
WFF History and Identity Once Again in the Spotlight: WFF-WBBF International Calls for Facts, Documents and Transparency
September 24, 2026
WFF-WBBF International is drawing public attention to recent developments in Singapore involving an organisation using the World Fitness Federation (WFF) name and activities publicly promoted by Graeme Lancefield.
A document issued by WFF Singapore announces the appointment of Ibrahim Sihat as Athlete Director and his participation in the WFF Singapore Executive Committee. The document also refers to the establishment of the WFF in 1968.
This development is significant in the context of an ongoing dispute concerning the history, identity and organisational continuity of the World Fitness Federation (WFF).
A Dispute Over WFF History
The position of WFF-WBBF International is clear: the history and legacy of WFF should be established through historical documents, official archives and verifiable organisational records.
At the same time, the organisation associated with Graeme Lancefield presents its own historical account of WFF and also connects the federation's origins with 1968.
As a result, there are currently different publicly presented accounts of WFF's history and organisational continuity.
The Latest Example: Singapore
The WFF Singapore document states that Ibrahim Sihat has been appointed Athlete Director, with responsibilities including identifying promising athletes, encouraging participation in competitions and developing a pathway from beginner level to international competition.
Graeme Lancefield has also publicly congratulated Ibrahim Sihat on the appointment and referred to the development of the WFF Singapore fitness community and the identification of local talent for international teams.
WFF-WBBF International points out that these developments once again raise an important question: who represents the historical legacy of WFF, and on what documented basis are different organisations using the WFF name?
“History Must Be Supported by Documents”
WFF-WBBF International emphasises that the history of an international sporting organisation should not be established solely through public statements, social-media publications or recently issued national documents.
“WFF has a history spanning many decades. Therefore, claims concerning the organisation's origins, continuity and international identity should be examined through historical documents, official records and verifiable evidence.”
WFF-WBBF International continues to publish historical information, competition records and archival material through its international website:
WFF-WBBF International – WFF.lt
A Question for the International Fitness Community
WFF-WBBF International believes that athletes, coaches, federations and the public have the right to know which organisations represent the WFF name, what their documented history is, and what evidence supports their claims.
The organisation therefore calls on the international fitness community to examine this matter on the basis of facts, historical documentation and verifiable evidence.
WFF history should not be rewritten through social-media statements alone.
A history dating back to 1968 is too important to be defined by declarations without supporting documentation.
About WFF-WBBF International
WFF-WBBF International is an international organisation involved in bodybuilding, fitness and related sports disciplines, with historical records and archives documenting international competitions and organisational activities.
More information:
WFF-WBBF International – www.wff.lt
Media contact: WFF-WBBF International
Subject: WFF history, organisational continuity and the use of the WFF name.
LITHUANIA'S BODYBUILDING PRIDE OF 2026 – PIOTR SEVCENKO!
Vilnius Bodybuilder Piotr Sevcenko – Absolute World Professional Champion!
Vilnius-based bodybuilder Piotr Sevcenko is an experienced athlete with a long and successful competitive career. Over the years, he has participated in numerous bodybuilding competitions at various levels. His sporting journey began more than 25 years ago, when he first competed in events organized by the worldwide WFF-WBBF federation.
The year 2026 proved to be an exceptional one for Piotr Sevcenko, bringing him outstanding victories and international recognition.
In May, at the 27th International „Universe“ Tournament held in Klaipėda, Lithuania, Piotr Sevcenko won the overall title and earned his WFF-WBBF Professional Card. This achievement opened the doors to the world of professional bodybuilding.
However, his success story did not end there.
In autumn, at the WFF-WBBF World Professional Championship held in the resort town of Nida, Piotr Sevcenko once again demonstrated his outstanding abilities. Displaying exceptional physical conditioning, impressive preparation and outstanding stage presentation, he claimed the overall title of World Professional Champion!
This is a prestigious bodybuilding achievement that athletes from many countries around the world aspire to accomplish. Only one competitor can claim the overall champion's title – the athlete who delivers the best performance.
Piotr Sevcenko’s victory is the result of years of hard work, determination, discipline and dedication to bodybuilding. His sporting journey is an inspiring example of how great ambitions can be achieved through consistent effort and belief in oneself.
Congratulations to Piotr Sevcenko on his outstanding achievements in 2026! We wish him many more victories on the international bodybuilding stage!
For more information about the competitions, results and WFF-WBBF activities, visit the federation's international website: www.wff.lt
WFF-WBBF AND THE GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT OF FIT-KIDS.
From the Historic Initiative of 1999 to an International Sports Movement in 2026
HISTORICAL BEGINNINGS: 1990–1999
The World WFF-WBBF Federation occupies a special place in the history of children's fitness sports. Its activities became one of the important organisational foundations for the development of an international system of children's fitness.
The origins of this process date back to 1990, when the Federation began organising World Aerobic Fitness Championships. These competitions provided the foundation for expanding fitness activities and involving increasingly younger athletes.
In 1999, the WFF-WBBF Federation began systematically developing a separate children's sports division known as "Fit-Kids".
This was a significant milestone in the history of sports organisation. Children's physical fitness, coordination, flexibility, artistic expression and stage performance began to be recognised as an independent sporting discipline requiring specialised preparation and its own competition system.
THE EXPANSION OF AGE CATEGORIES – AN INDICATOR OF SYSTEMATIC SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
One of the most important stages in the development of WFF-WBBF children's fitness was the continuous improvement of its age-category system.
Initially, athletes were divided into several main age groups: up to 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 years of age.
As the number of participants increased and sporting competition intensified, these categories no longer met all practical requirements. Consequently, the Federation introduced a more detailed system in which athletes were classified by individual years of age, from 6 to 16.
This development had considerable sporting significance.
First, it created opportunities for a fairer assessment of children with different levels of biological and physical development.
Second, it provided more opportunities for children to participate in international competitions and achieve results within their respective age categories.
Third, it established the foundations for a more consistent athlete-development system in which each age group has specific physical preparation and stage-performance requirements.
Thus, the expansion of age categories was not merely an administrative change. It reflected the growing professionalism of children's fitness sports.
A NEW STAGE: THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIALISED SPORTS DISCIPLINES
As children's fitness continued to develop, different athletic abilities and interests became increasingly evident among young competitors.
Some children demonstrated outstanding general physical fitness, while others excelled in acrobatic skills, artistic expression, dance technique or the ability to create stage performances.
The WFF-WBBF Federation responded to these developments.
At the initiative of Alexandra Kobielak, Head of the Federation's Children's Division, the classification of sporting disciplines was further developed and expanded.
Five main disciplines emerged:
1. "Fit-Kids" – the principal children's fitness discipline, incorporating physical conditioning, body control, flexibility, coordination and stage performance.
2. "Performance" – a discipline focusing on individual athletic execution, movement quality and performance technique.
3. "Acrobatic" – a discipline demonstrating acrobatic skills, complex movements, flexibility and coordination.
4. "Show" – a combination of sport and artistic performance, emphasising creativity, stage culture and individual expression.
5. "Dance" – an integration of dance technique, musicality, choreography and physical fitness.
This classification demonstrates that children's fitness gradually moved beyond the traditional boundaries of aerobic sports. It developed into a diverse sporting activity combining physical conditioning, coordination, artistic expression and stage performance.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – A MEASURE OF INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
One of the most important indicators of the stability of an international sports movement is the regular organisation of competitions and the historical record of their results.
The list of WFF-WBBF "Fit-Kids" World Championship Overall Champions covers the period from 1999 to 2026.
During this period, championship titles were won by representatives of Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Slovakia and Hungary.
These results reveal several significant trends.
The first trend – international geographical expansion.
The list of champions demonstrates that success has not been limited to a single country. This indicates that children's fitness competitions have developed into an international arena in which athletes from different countries compete.
The second trend – Lithuania's contribution.
The contribution of Lithuanian athletes is particularly significant. Lithuanian representatives won the Overall World Champion title in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
This demonstrates the continuity of Lithuanian sporting achievements across different historical periods.
Lithuania's importance in this history is not limited to championship victories. It also reflects the country's participation in the development of international children's fitness.
The third trend – the achievements of Polish athletes.
Polish athletes also occupy a prominent position in the history of Overall Champions. Wiktoria Parkot deserves particular recognition for winning the title in two consecutive years, 2014 and 2015.
In 2025 and 2026, Polish athletes once again claimed the Overall World Champion titles.
The fourth trend – international competitiveness.
Victories by representatives of Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Slovakia and Hungary demonstrate that the history of the World Championships is not the sporting chronicle of just one country. It is a history of competition between different national sporting traditions.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY OF 1999–2026 – A REFLECTION OF THE SPORTING MOVEMENT
Over the 28 calendar years from the first championship in 1999 to 2026, the list records 28 Overall Champions.
It is particularly important that this period encompasses several distinct stages in the development of children's fitness:
• 1999–2005 – the initial formation of the international movement;
• 2006–2015 – the expansion of international competition and athletic performance;
• 2016–2020 – further geographical and sporting development;
• 2021–2026 – the modern stage of children's fitness sports.
This periodisation makes it possible to view "Fit-Kids" not simply as a series of individual competitions, but as a long-term sporting development process.
CHILDREN'S FITNESS – MORE THAN JUST COMPETITIVE RESULTS
When analysing the development of children's "Fit-Kids", it is important to remember that young athletes' achievements should not be evaluated solely by their World Championship titles.
The significance of this sporting discipline is much broader.
It provides children with opportunities to develop physical abilities, coordination, flexibility, movement skills, discipline and self-confidence.
Participation in international competitions also encourages cultural awareness, communication with peers from different countries and the acquisition of international sporting experience.
At the same time, it is essential to emphasise that children's health, safe training loads, age-appropriate preparation and positive sporting experiences must always remain the highest priorities.
CONCLUSIONS: THE PLACE OF WFF-WBBF IN THE GLOBAL HISTORY OF FIT-KIDS
The development of the children's "Fit-Kids" division by the WFF-WBBF Federation, initiated in 1999, became an important milestone in the organisation of international children's fitness sports.
From the World Aerobic Fitness Championships launched in 1990 to today's specialised system of children's sporting disciplines, a long journey of organisational and athletic development has taken place.
Throughout this period, the age-category system was improved, the diversity of sporting disciplines expanded, international competition traditions were established, and a historical record of World Championship results was accumulated.
A particularly important role in this development belongs to Alexandra Kobielak, whose initiative contributed to the expansion and further classification of children's sporting disciplines.
Lithuania's contribution is equally significant. The victories of Lithuanian athletes across different periods demonstrate the country's prominent position in the history of WFF-WBBF "Fit-Kids" World Championships.
The main historical conclusion: Since 1999, the activities of the WFF-WBBF Federation have provided one of the important organisational foundations for the development of international children's "Fit-Kids" sports.
Today, the championship record covering 1999–2026 represents much more than a list of sporting results. It is a 28-year historical record of an international movement, reflecting the achievements of athletes from different countries and the evolution of children's fitness sports.
Information source: World WFF-WBBF Federation. Official international website: www.wff.lt (Forum sections).
WFF-WBBF REPRESENTATIVE IN IRELAND
MARIK STEFANOVIC – 2026 WORLD CHAMPION!
Ireland is represented in the international WFF-WBBF bodybuilding federation by Marik Stefanovic, who proudly claimed the World Champion title at the 2026 WFF-WBBF World Championship in Nida, Lithuania.
With a history dating back to 1968, the International WFF-WBBF Federation brings together members from 141 countries and organizes approximately 60 international sporting events worldwide every year.
Marik Stefanovic, Chairman of WFF-WBBF in Ireland, participated in the 2026 World Championship held at the Lithuanian resort of Nida, where he achieved 1st place in his age category, earning the prestigious title of 2026 World Champion.
THE ROAD TO 2027 – 60 YEARS OF THE HISTORIC AMBER PRIX INTERNATIONAL!
The International WFF-WBBF Federation is now preparing for one of its most significant international events of 2027: the 60th anniversary of the historic AMBER PRIX INTERNATIONAL, one of the world's oldest bodybuilding competitions.
The prestigious event will take place on May 7–9, 2027, in Klaipėda, Lithuania.
The Irish national team will be led by Marik Stefanovic, who will represent Ireland at this historic international bodybuilding celebration.
The 2027 Amber Prix International promises to bring together athletes, national representatives and bodybuilding enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate six decades of international bodybuilding history and tradition.
Ireland is ready for the 2027 international challenge!
More information:
International WFF-WBBF Federation www.wff.lt
28 YEARS OF FIT-KIDS – A GLOBAL REVOLUTION IN CHILDREN'S SPORT
WFF-WBBF: From the Origins of a Historic Sports Movement to a New Global Era of Children's Fitness
AN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS HISTORY CREATED BY CHILDREN
The World WFF-WBBF Federation is an international sports organisation whose activities began in 1968 and which today brings together members from 141 countries worldwide. Over the decades, the Federation has consistently developed various sports disciplines, while children's sport has remained one of its most important strategic priorities.
Launched 28 years ago, the international „Fit-Kids“ sports movement represents much more than just a sports programme for children today. It is a new philosophy, a new approach to the younger generation and a significant milestone in the development of children's sport worldwide.
WFF-WBBF was among the organisations that recognised early on that children's sport cannot simply be a scaled-down version of adult sport. Children need their own sporting environment, where physical fitness, creativity, music, choreography, acrobatics and stage performance come together as an integrated sports system.
An idea that has developed into an international sports movement over 28 years.
FIT-KIDS – A SPORTS REVOLUTION THAT HAS GONE BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF TRADITIONAL SPORT
Having started with a single main discipline, the international „Fit-Kids“ movement is now entering a new stage of development.
At the initiative of Aleksandra Kobielak, Head of the Children's Sports Department of the World WFF-WBBF Federation, the children's fitness concept has been expanded to include several distinct sporting disciplines:
• Fit-Kids Fitness;
• Performance Fitness;
• Show Fitness;
• Acrobatic Fitness;
• Dance Fitness.
Each discipline has its own specific characteristics, but they are all united by a common objective: the comprehensive development of children's physical, artistic and sporting abilities.
Today, Fit-Kids athletes do much more than demonstrate physical fitness. They create sports performances, express their individual talents, develop stage skills and learn the values of sporting discipline.
This is a new generation of sport, where children become not merely competition participants, but creative and independent sporting personalities.
The WFF-WBBF Fit-Kids movement demonstrates that children's sport can be dynamic, diverse and internationally significant.
THE WORLD IS CHANGING – CHILDREN'S SPORT MUST MOVE FORWARD
In today's world, children's physical activity is becoming an increasingly important social issue. Technological development, declining everyday physical activity and the limitations of traditional sports models all demand new solutions.
The Fit-Kids concept developed by the WFF-WBBF Federation offers an alternative approach: sport should be accessible, attractive, creative and adapted to children's needs.
Through the Federation's initiative, children's fitness has moved beyond the boundaries of traditional sport, combining physical activity, art, music, choreography and acrobatics.
This direction reflects a broader trend in international sports development: the need to create new sporting formats capable of engaging younger generations and encouraging long-term physical activity.
Fit-Kids is not a passing trend. It is an international sports concept that has been developing for 28 years.
2027 – HISTORIC INTERNATIONAL WFF-WBBF SPORTS EVENTS IN LITHUANIA
In 2027, Lithuania will become an important international centre for WFF-WBBF sporting events. Competitions held in Klaipėda and Nida will bring together international sporting traditions, global competition and performances by a new generation of athletes.
KLAIPĖDA – THE 60TH AMBER PRIX INTERNATIONAL
On 7–9 May 2027, Klaipėda will host the 31st WFF-WBBF European Amateur and Professional Championships, together with the 60th Amber Prix International tournament.
The 60th edition of the Amber Prix International is a remarkable historical event. Sixty years of tournament history symbolise longstanding sporting traditions, international cooperation and the consistent development of sport.
This is more than just a competition. It is a history created over many years by athletes, coaches, organisers and entire sporting communities.
Klaipėda will become an international meeting point for sport, where tradition meets modern sporting achievements and new directions of development.
NIDA – THE 38TH WFF-WBBF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
On 5–7 November 2027, Nida will host the 38th WFF-WBBF World Amateur and Professional Championships.
The World Championships are among the most important international events organised by the Federation, bringing together athletes and sports professionals from different countries.
Nida, one of Lithuania's most distinctive resort destinations, will become an international sporting arena showcasing the highest levels of athletic preparation, sporting culture and the achievements of the WFF-WBBF Federation's international activities.
Both major events in 2027 will also have special significance for the development of children's sport, giving young Fit-Kids athletes the opportunity to participate in an international sporting environment.
28 YEARS – AND THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING
Over 28 years of developing the international Fit-Kids movement, the WFF-WBBF Federation has established the foundations of a new concept in children's sport.
Today, Fit-Kids is no longer simply an individual sporting discipline. It is a multidirectional international movement combining physical education, sporting excellence, creativity and the discovery of young talent.
The Federation's activities reflect a clear strategic vision: children's sport should not merely be a part of the sporting system, but an independent and promising international sports discipline in its own right.
28 years of Fit-Kids history. 141 countries represented in the international activities of the WFF-WBBF Federation. New sporting disciplines. A new philosophy of children's sport.
This is the WFF-WBBF Federation's contribution to the future of world sport.
The revolution in children's sport is already underway!
More international news, information about sporting events and the activities of the WFF-WBBF Federation: www.wff.lt www.worldfitness.lt
THEY BANNED BODYBUILDING.
HE HELD THE COMPETITIONS ANYWAY.
From illegal competitions in Soviet Lithuania to a Pope’s medal in the Vatican — a story that sounds almost impossible today
1976. Soviet Lithuania.
Bodybuilding was banned.
The authorities did not want it. The system regarded it as something foreign, suspicious and unnecessary.
But someone decided that a ban would not be the final word.
Edmundas Daubaras began organizing bodybuilding competitions.
Public competitions.
At the time — illegal in the eyes of the authorities.
And this is where a story began that, decades later, would lead from Lithuania to Moscow — and ultimately to the Vatican.
NOT IN A GYM. AGAINST THE SYSTEM.
Today, bodybuilding competitions seem completely ordinary.
A stage. Spotlights. Athletes. Judges. Medals.
But in Soviet Lithuania, everything was different.
In 1976–1977, organizing public bodybuilding competitions meant challenging the system.
Athletes wanted to train.
They wanted to compete.
They wanted to demonstrate the results of their work.
And the system said: no.
The answer was simple:
“The competitions will take place anyway.”
And they did.
In Klaipėda, the authorities later permitted bodybuilding competitions to be held.
But that was not the end of the story.
It was only the beginning.
1978. A PETITION — TO MOSCOW
When organizing competitions was no longer enough, an even bolder step was taken.
In 1978, Edmundas Daubaras wrote a petition defending bodybuilding.
And he did not take it to some local authority.
Not to a sports club.
Not to a newspaper editorial office.
He took it to Moscow. To the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
It was an attempt to address the system itself.
Directly.
Without intermediaries.
To demand recognition of the right of a sport to exist — a sport to which the system had imposed restrictions.
Today, individual circumstances of that period may be interpreted in different ways. But one fact cannot be denied:
A man living under the Soviet system chose to openly defend something that the system sought to restrict.
DECADES PASSED.
Time changed the world.
The Soviet Union disappeared.
The Iron Curtain fell.
Bodybuilding became an international sport.
And a story that had once been associated with bans and state control eventually reached a completely different place.
The Vatican.
2011. THE VATICAN.
During an official reception for WFF-WBBF leaders at the Vatican, representatives of the Catholic Church were introduced to this history.
They learned about the position of bodybuilding under the communist system.
About the bans.
About the first competitions.
About the petition to Moscow.
About the activities of Edmundas Daubaras.
And then something happened that nobody at the beginning of this story could have predicted.
Cardinal Jozef Tomko described Edmundas Daubaras’s actions toward the communist regime as dissident in nature.
And there was more.
Edmundas Daubaras was awarded a medal of Pope Benedict XVI.
Later, the WFF-WBBF federation received an official letter from the Vatican blessing the federation’s activities.
From illegal competitions in Soviet Lithuania — to the Vatican.
From prohibition — to blessing.
Could there be a more striking historical irony?
60 YEARS. AND ONE EXTRAORDINARY STORY.
Today, WFF-WBBF celebrates its 60th anniversary.
Six decades of sporting history.
But among the countless dates, championships, athletes and titles, there is one story that stands out.
Because it did not begin under comfortable circumstances.
Not in a free country.
Not at a time when everything was permitted.
It began when people had to fight for the very right to organize bodybuilding competitions.
And that is precisely why this story deserves to be remembered.
BECAUSE SOMETIMES A MEDAL IS NOT FOR MUSCLES.
In sports history, medals are usually awarded for victories.
For records.
For championship titles.
But in this story, the medal presented at the Vatican carried an entirely different meaning.
It became a symbolic recognition of the work of a man who began acting at a time when even the right to organize bodybuilding competitions could not be taken for granted.
1976–1977 — illegal competitions.
1978 — petition to Moscow.
2011 — the Vatican.
Medal of Pope Benedict XVI.
Recognition by Cardinal Jozef Tomko.
Official Vatican blessing of WFF-WBBF activities.
That is the journey.
And so, as the federation marks its 60th anniversary, one can say it very simply:
WHEN THE SYSTEM SAID “NO” — SPORT SAID “YES.”
And history remembered it.
WFF-WBBF LEADS THE WAY IN SPORTS INNOVATION.
Mini-Trampolines – A New Sport for Everyone.
The World WFF-WBBF Federation, which began its activities in 1968, currently unites athletes and organizations from 141 countries around the world. Throughout its long history, the Federation has become one of the pioneers of international sports innovation, continuously developing new, attractive, and accessible forms of physical activity for people of different ages and backgrounds.
The history of WFF-WBBF is rich in significant sporting innovations. The Federation has contributed to the development of Classic Bodybuilding, the children's “Fit-Kids” program, the Fitness Model category, and many other sporting disciplines. In recent years, the program of international competitions has been expanded to include such innovative disciplines as Aerial Acrobatics Fitness, Pole Dance Fitness, Kangoo Dance Fitness, Step Aerobics Fitness, Martial Arts Fitness, Sports Model Fitness, and other new sporting directions.
One of the newest and fastest-growing sporting disciplines within WFF-WBBF is Mini-Trampoline Fitness.
Over the past three years, Mini-Trampoline Fitness has been successfully featured at top-level international WFF-WBBF competitions. This discipline is distinguished by its dynamism and the combination of coordination, endurance, physical fitness, and artistic performance. Mini-trampolines offer opportunities for people of various age groups to participate in sports, giving this discipline considerable potential for further development on the international sporting stage.
At the 2026 WFF-WBBF international competitions, among various age groups and qualification categories, the absolute world champion in the Mini-Trampoline Fitness division was Polish athlete Katarzyna Małgorzata Rybak.
Her victory once again confirmed that Mini-Trampoline Fitness is becoming an increasingly important part of international sport, opening up new opportunities for athletes and coaches alike.
The WFF-WBBF Federation continues to consistently develop new sporting disciplines, aiming to promote an active lifestyle, encourage sporting creativity, and provide as many people as possible with the opportunity to discover the joy of sport.
For more detailed information about the activities of the WFF-WBBF Federation, international competitions, and sporting innovations, please visit: www.wff.lt www.worldfitness.lt
JAPANESE WFF-WBBF FEDERATION
LITHUANIAN EMBASSY SUPPORTS INTERNATIONAL SPORT IN JAPAN
JAPANESE ATHLETE ACHIEVES HISTORIC TRIUMPH AT THE 2026 WFF-WBBF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN NIDA
The World WFF-WBBF Federation, whose history dates back to 1968, currently unites athletes and national sports organizations from 141 countries around the world. Throughout more than five decades of activity, the Federation has established itself as an important international sports organization, actively promoting new sporting disciplines, introducing innovative competition formats, and strengthening international sports cooperation.
JAPANESE ATHLETES' JOURNEY TO INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
Although Asian athletes have been participating in the international activities of the WFF-WBBF Federation for more than four decades, the appearance of Japanese representatives on the international competition stage became a particularly significant event only in 2025.
That year, Japanese athlete Toru Fukutomi made his breakthrough into the international sports elite by becoming the Overall Winner of the 26th International "Universe" Tournament. His victory opened a new chapter in the history of Japanese WFF-WBBF sport.
However, the international achievements of Japanese athletes did not end there.
In 2026, at the WFF-WBBF Amateur World Championship held in Nida, Lithuania, Japanese representative Iori Nishizawa achieved an outstanding victory, becoming the Overall World Champion!
This remarkable triumph not only strengthened the position of Japanese athletes within the international WFF-WBBF arena but also earned Iori Nishizawa the right to receive a Professional Card. He crowned his impressive performance with another major achievement, becoming the winner of the 17th "WFF-WBBF Pro World Cup".
Within an exceptionally short period, Japanese athletes demonstrated outstanding competitive skills and proved their ability to compete for the most prestigious international titles.
AN EXAMPLE OF SPORTING COOPERATION BETWEEN LITHUANIA AND JAPAN
Preparations for this international success had already begun in Japan. Before travelling to Lithuania, Iori Nishizawa organized a national WFF-WBBF competition in his home country. The event became an important milestone in the activities of the Japanese Federation and in the development of the sport in Japan.
The support of the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Japan gave this event particular significance. The Embassy was among the sponsors of the national competition, contributing to the development of international sporting cooperation.
The support provided by Lithuania's diplomatic representation in Japan for WFF-WBBF sporting events represents an important example of cooperation between Lithuania and Japan.
Sport is not merely an arena for high-level athletic competition. It is also an important instrument for strengthening international relations, friendship, and mutual understanding.
The success of Japanese athletes in Lithuania and the support provided by the Lithuanian Embassy in Japan symbolically brought the two countries together within the international sporting community.
A NEW CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF JAPANESE WFF-WBBF SPORT
The achievements of Toru Fukutomi and Iori Nishizawa mark a new stage in the development of the Japanese WFF-WBBF Federation.
In just two years, Japanese athletes have succeeded in winning the highest international titles and establishing themselves among the world's sporting elite.
The 2026 World Championship in Nida became not only the stage for Iori Nishizawa's personal triumph but also an important milestone in the international recognition of Japanese sport.
The international activities of the WFF-WBBF Federation, the achievements of Japanese athletes, and the support of the Lithuanian Embassy once again demonstrate that sport knows no geographical boundaries.
Sport brings nations together, encourages international cooperation, and creates new chapters in the history of international friendship.
For further information about the activities of the World WFF-WBBF Federation, international championships, athletes' achievements, and the organization's history, please visit: www.wff.lt
WFF-WBBF Surprises the Sporting World with Innovations: Introducing the New 'Wings' Category in Women's Fitness.
A New Sporting Discipline Opens Up Creative Opportunities in Women's Fitness.
The World WFF-WBBF Federation, whose history dates back to 1968, currently brings together athletes and national sports organizations from 141 countries worldwide. Over more than five decades of activity, the Federation has established itself on the international sports scene as an initiator of new sporting disciplines and innovative competition formats.
The desire to continually expand sporting opportunities is reflected throughout WFF-WBBF's history. The Federation has contributed to the development of Classic Bodybuilding, the children's sports programme "Fit-Kids", the Fitness Model category, and numerous other sporting disciplines.
In recent years, the Federation's international competition programme has been expanded to include several new disciplines: Aerial Acrobatics Fitness, Pole Dance Fitness, Kangoo Dance Fitness, Step Aerobics Fitness, Martial Arts Fitness, Mini-Trampoline Fitness, and Sports Model Fitness.
One of WFF-WBBF's newest initiatives is the women's "Wings" Fitness category, combining athletic preparation, stage aesthetics, choreography, and artistic self-expression.
Lithuanian Athlete Triumphs at the World Championships
For the past three years, Mini "Wings" Fitness has been successfully presented at top-level WFF-WBBF international competitions. This category gives female athletes the opportunity to demonstrate not only their physical fitness but also their creativity, stage presence, and individual artistic style.
In October 2026, at the WFF-WBBF World Championships held in Nida, Lithuania, Laura Geraščenko Viliušė became the overall winner of the "Wings" Fitness category.
The Lithuanian representative presented an original and carefully prepared performance programme to the judges and spectators. It harmoniously combined an expressive stage image, graceful movement and a musical composition featuring several classical music pieces.
Her performance stood out for its elegance, artistic expression, and creativity. This achievement marked a significant success for Laura on the international WFF-WBBF sporting stage.
The athlete was prepared for the championship by Alina Pelepko, Honoured Coach of the World WFF-WBBF Federation and an international-category judge.
This victory once again highlighted the potential of the new sporting category and demonstrated that "Wings" Fitness could become a promising international discipline in women's sport.
Sporting Innovation – A Key Priority for WFF-WBBF
The creation of new sporting disciplines and their integration into international competition programmes is one of the most important areas of WFF-WBBF's activities.
The Federation strives not only to develop traditional sports but also to create new opportunities for self-expression, encourage creativity, promote physical activity, and attract increasingly wider segments of society to international sport.
The "Wings" Fitness category perfectly reflects this philosophy. It combines athletic preparation with performing arts, music, choreography, and individual creativity.
WFF-WBBF will continue to consistently develop new sporting disciplines, striving to make the international sporting arena accessible to talent, original ideas, and innovative sporting initiatives.
The victory of Lithuanian athlete Laura Geraščenko Viliušė in Nida has become another memorable milestone in the history of WFF-WBBF sporting innovations.
For more information about WFF-WBBF activities, international championships, and new sporting disciplines, please visit:
Official websites: www.wff.lt www.worldfitness.lt
2026 in the World of Bodybuilding and Fitness: Many Federations, Many Champions, but What Will Remain in History?
Numerous federations, countless competitions and a lack of historical perspective – the main challenges facing modern bodybuilding and fitness.
The year 2026 is coming to an end. This is an appropriate time not only to count the medals won, titles awarded and championships held, but also to examine the development of our sport from a historical perspective.
What kind of year has it been? Which events have genuinely had long-term significance? What will remain in the history of sport, and what will disappear along with another competition season?
These questions are particularly relevant to Lithuania, where five major organisations involved in bodybuilding and fitness are currently active: WFF-WBBF, IFBB, NABBA, NPC and NAC.
The existence of numerous federations does not, in itself, indicate sporting progress. On the one hand, it provides athletes with more opportunities to choose where to compete. On the other, it creates fragmentation, different competition systems, an abundance of titles and an increasingly complicated international sporting environment.
Dozens of international bodybuilding and fitness organisations operate worldwide. Their number continues to change. Each organisation conducts its own world, continental and national championships, announces its winners and establishes its own sporting hierarchy.
Add privately organised competitions, Universe and Olympia events, and numerous international festivals to the championships held by established federations. The result is an impression that becoming a world champion is possible almost every weekend.
But this raises a fundamental question: do all these titles carry the same historical value?
More Champions, but Sporting History Is Not Growing at the Same Rate
Modern bodybuilding and fitness are experiencing a kind of inflation of sporting titles. The number of athletes describing themselves as world or international champions continues to grow, yet public interest in the sport is not increasing proportionately.
Why is this happening?
First, different organisations use different competition systems, rules, categories and judging criteria. Consequently, the title of world champion awarded by one federation does not necessarily mean the same thing as an equivalent title awarded by another organisation.
Second, sporting organisations too often concentrate on short-term results. Holding a championship, announcing the winners, distributing medals and publishing photographs on social media have become familiar elements of the standard operating model.
But can this really be called the long-term development of sport?
The maturity of a sporting organisation should not be measured solely by the number of events it organises. What matters is whether it develops a clear strategy for sporting development, trains new generations of athletes, expands public interest, strengthens international cooperation and pursues official recognition.
Not every champion becomes part of sporting history. Those who remain are the ones whose achievements have changed the development of the sport itself.
Lithuania in 2026: Numerous Organisations, but Limited Public Interest
Several bodybuilding and fitness competitions took place in Lithuania during the autumn of 2026. However, the number of participants, the level of public interest and spectator attendance do not indicate significant growth in the popularity of the sport.
This should be a serious warning to all organisations operating in Lithuania.
A country may have numerous federations, competition categories and national champions. However, if competitions fail to attract wider public attention, questions must be asked about the effectiveness of the chosen development model.
Sport cannot exist exclusively within the closed environment of its own participants and organisers.
It needs spectators, public support, media attention, youth involvement and clear long-term prospects.
Otherwise, sporting events become closed gatherings of individual communities, with their significance often limited to the memories of the participants themselves.
The Crisis of Bodybuilding: A Historical, Not Merely Organisational Problem
To understand the current situation, it is necessary to look back at the history of bodybuilding.
Bodybuilding had the opportunity to become a widely recognised sport. However, its international development encountered serious institutional and organisational difficulties.
From the end of the twentieth century onwards, differences between the interests of various organisations, competing models of sporting development and complicated relations with official international sporting institutions became increasingly apparent.
In the assessment of WFF-WBBF, this was the period when a prolonged crisis began regarding bodybuilding's status as an officially recognised sport.
It should be emphasised that the legal and institutional status of bodybuilding differs from country to country. This issue must therefore be considered in the context of each country's sporting system and the decisions of international institutions.
Nevertheless, the fundamental question remains relevant: does the current bodybuilding model have sufficient potential to become a widely recognised, publicly attractive sport with a sustainable long-term future?
WFF-WBBF believes that new solutions are necessary.
The WFF-WBBF Strategy: From Bodybuilding Towards a Broader Model of Fitness Sport
Unlike organisations whose activities are primarily focused on traditional bodybuilding, the World WFF-WBBF Federation places particular emphasis on the development of fitness as part of its strategic vision.
This is not simply a matter of changing names or introducing additional competition categories.
It represents a different sporting philosophy, a broader target audience and an ambition to create a sporting model that is more accessible to society.
Traditional bodybuilding primarily focuses on muscular development, body proportions and stage presentation. Fitness, by contrast, can encompass a much wider spectrum of physical preparation, harmonious body development, health-oriented activities and sporting participation.
In the view of WFF-WBBF, this direction offers greater potential to attract people of different ages and levels of physical fitness.
In 2026, approximately 300 athletes participated in each of the Lithuanian WFF-WBBF competitions held in spring and autumn.
These figures demonstrate the organisation's ability to bring together a substantial sporting community. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that traditional bodybuilding competitors account for only approximately 10–15 per cent of all WFF-WBBF participants.
This reflects the organisation's chosen direction: rather than limiting itself to a relatively narrow bodybuilding community, the federation aims to develop a variety of fitness disciplines.
Naturally, participant numbers are not the only measure of sporting success. Nevertheless, they are an important indicator of an organisation's ability to attract people and maintain their interest in sport.
Official Recognition: The Real Test of a Long-Term Strategy
One of the most important strategic objectives declared by WFF-WBBF is the pursuit of official international recognition.
This is not an easy task. International sporting recognition requires sustained work, a clear organisational structure, transparent governance, uniform rules, an anti-doping system, international cooperation and institutional credibility.
WFF-WBBF has declared its intention to develop cooperation with international sporting institutions, including the International Olympic Committee and the United Nations system.
However, such ambitions must be evaluated through concrete actions, official documentation and actual institutional results.
It is important to understand that the International Olympic Committee and the United Nations have different functions and areas of authority. Consequently, the forms of cooperation and recognition procedures associated with them are also different.
Nevertheless, the underlying principle of a long-term strategy is significant: a sporting organisation must know where it wants to be in ten, twenty or even fifty years.
How many other international bodybuilding and fitness organisations have publicly defined strategies of this kind, supported by concrete actions? This is a question that deserves to be answered through documents and actual results rather than declarations.
2027: Where History Meets the Future
In 2027, the WFF-WBBF community will celebrate a particularly important historical occasion.
On 7–9 May, an event dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Amber Prix International tournament (Gintarinis prizas, Янтарный приз) will take place in Klaipėda, Lithuania.
This tournament is one of the oldest traditional international events in the history of bodybuilding and fitness. Its history provides an opportunity to examine the development of several generations of athletes, relations between international organisations and the transformation of the sport itself.
A historical book is being prepared to mark the 60th anniversary, with publication planned in several languages.
This is important work not only for the WFF-WBBF community. Preserving sporting history is essential for understanding objectively how international bodybuilding and fitness developed, which individuals created their traditions and which decisions shaped the present situation.
Sport without history loses its identity. An organisation that does not preserve its past cannot properly plan its future.
Conclusions: Medals Fade, History Remains
The year 2026 has once again demonstrated that simply increasing the number of bodybuilding and fitness organisations, competitions and titles does not guarantee sporting progress.
Today, the most important question is not how many world champions have been announced, but what real value their organisations create for the sport.
Are they developing new generations? Are they attracting public interest? Are they building lasting traditions? Do they have a clear strategy for international recognition? Will their activities still matter several decades from now?
These are questions every athlete, coach and federation leader should be asking.
Athletes must also learn to analyse information independently. Not every medal represents a historic achievement, not every world championship title carries the same level of international recognition, and not every new federation contributes to genuine sporting progress.
It is necessary to distinguish sporting promotion from real achievements, short-term success from long-term strategy, and organisational interests from the interests of sport as a whole.
WFF-WBBF continues to declare its commitment to developing fitness, expanding international activities, preserving historical heritage and pursuing official sporting recognition.
The 60th anniversary of the Amber Prix International in Klaipėda in 2027 will provide another opportunity to assess the journey so far and look towards the future.
There may be many federations. There may be even more champions. But not everyone who wins a medal becomes part of sporting history. Those who remain are the ones who have changed the sport itself through their work.
WHAT IS N.A.B.B.A.? DRAWING CONCLUSIONS.
WE SHOULD KNOW AT LEAST SOMETHING ABOUT OUR SPORTING HISTORY.
We have already described the detailed history of the N.A.B.B.A. association on numerous occasions in our previous articles. Follow our international website www.wff.lt, where extensive information about the history of world bodybuilding and fitness is available.
Following the death of Oscar Heidenstam, N.A.B.B.A. no longer had a leader capable of providing the organization with a new strategic direction. The organization preserved its traditions and historical heritage, but ceased to pursue ambitious international expansion goals.
Nevertheless, N.A.B.B.A. remains one of the oldest and historically most significant bodybuilding organizations in the world. Since its establishment, it has served as an important alternative to other international bodybuilding structures and has left a lasting mark on the history of the sport.
In 1998, the International Olympic Committee refused to support bodybuilding's aspirations to become an Olympic sport. Furthermore, following the cessation of activities of G.A.I.S.F. (Global Association of International Sports Federations) in 2023, the status of international bodybuilding organizations became even more complicated and less clearly defined.
N.A.B.B.A. IN LITHUANIA. SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL EVENTS
Following the collapse of the socialist system, many people expected a Western miracle. Lithuanian athletes were no exception.
In December 1990, during the “Miss Olympia” event in New York, IFBB President Ben Weider told Edmundas Daubaras that he did not recognize Lithuania's independence and would not admit Lithuanian athletes into the IFBB federation separately from the Soviet Union.
Edmundas Daubaras had to find an independent path. At that time, there was virtually no information available about international bodybuilding organizations, so everything had to be researched and organized independently.
The restored Lithuanian state needed international recognition and support.
With the assistance of Lithuania's Minister of Sport, Algirdas Raslanas, in May 1991 we established the first national bodybuilding organization in Lithuania – the Lithuanian National Bodybuilding Association (LNKA).
Having united the country's best bodybuilders of that time, we participated in the N.A.B.B.A. European Championships in France in May 1991. Natalija Murnikovienė from Klaipėda and Rolandas Bučinskas from Šiauliai became the first historic bodybuilding champions of independent Lithuania.
Soon afterwards, Edmundas Daubaras brought back an official document from London in which N.A.B.B.A. recognized Lithuania's independence and expressed its support for the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee. The document was handed over to LTOK President Artūras Poviliūnas.
With the support of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, we organized N.A.B.B.A. European Championships in Klaipėda, Vilnius, and Palanga in 1996–1998. Edmundas Daubaras was appointed Vice President of the international N.A.B.B.A. association.
Gradually, through our communication with N.A.B.B.A. President Ivan Dunbar, we discovered that in England N.A.B.B.A. was legally registered as a public club. This raised numerous legal and financial questions.
Since 1995, we had been actively developing the activities of the World Fitness Federation (WFF). Support from the Lithuanian state for our events was also growing.
Ministers, prime ministers, and members of the Lithuanian Parliament became chairpersons and members of the organizing committees of our events.
Following the spectacular WFF World Championships held at the Vilnius Congress Palace in 2004 and 2005, the records set at those events remain unsurpassed to this day. The reaction of N.A.B.B.A. leaders in London became increasingly tense.
At that time, the scale of our activities and our international presence clearly exceeded those of N.A.B.B.A.
As tensions increased, in 2005 we decided to leave N.A.B.B.A. and continue on our own independent path.
Our objective was clear – we sought international recognition for bodybuilding and fitness, official government support, and broader opportunities for organizational development. These objectives were not priorities for N.A.B.B.A.
Essentially, this situation remains unchanged to this day.
The position we left within the N.A.B.B.A. organization was subsequently occupied by other representatives of Lithuania.
History is history. It must be known, respected, and lessons must be drawn from it.
2026 INTERNATIONAL SPORTS NEWS.
PLANNED OFFICIAL VISIT OF WFF-WBBF WORLD FEDERATION LEADERSHIP TO POLAND.
An official visit of the leadership of the World WFF-WBBF Federation to several cities in Poland is planned in the near future.
The visit's agenda will include a series of important international meetings, sporting events, as well as meetings with representatives of the Polish government and state authorities.
One of the key objectives of the visit is to discuss the possibility of organizing the 47-th prestigious international "WFF-WBBF World Grand Prix" tournament for professional and amateur athletes in Poland in 2027.
The planned event is expected to become a significant international sporting occasion, contributing to the development of bodybuilding, strengthening international cooperation, and expanding the WFF-WBBF Federation's activities across Europe.
Further information on the Federation's international projects, events, and activities is available on the official international website: www.wff.lt
WFF-WBBF – International Cooperation, Sports Development, and New Opportunities for Athletes Worldwide!
2026 MIĘDZYNARODOWE WIADOMOŚCI SPORTOWE.
PLANOWANA OFICJALNA WIZYTA KIEROWNICTWA ŚWIATOWEJ FEDERACJI WFF-WBBF W POLSCE.
W najbliższym czasie planowana jest oficjalna wizyta kierownictwa Światowej Federacji WFF-WBBF w kilku miastach Polski.
Program wizyty obejmuje szereg ważnych międzynarodowych spotkań, wydarzeń sportowych, a także spotkania z przedstawicielami polskich władz państwowych i instytucji rządowych.
Jednym z głównych celów wizyty jest omówienie możliwości organizacji w Polsce w 2027 roku 47. (czterdziesty siódmy) prestiżowego międzynarodowego turnieju „WFF-WBBF World Grand Prix” dla zawodników profesjonalnych i amatorskich.
Oczekuje się, że planowane wydarzenie stanie się znaczącym międzynarodowym wydarzeniem sportowym, przyczyniającym się do rozwoju kulturystyki, wzmacniania współpracy międzynarodowej oraz rozszerzania działalności federacji WFF-WBBF w Europie.
Więcej informacji na temat międzynarodowych projektów, wydarzeń i działalności federacji można znaleźć na oficjalnej stronie internetowej: www.wff.lt
WFF-WBBF – Międzynarodowa współpraca, rozwój sportu i nowe możliwości dla sportowców na całym świecie!
WORLD SPORT HISTORY.
A History of the Amber Prix: 60 Years
On May 7–9, 2027, we will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Amber Prix in Klaipėda. It is one of the three oldest international sports tournaments in the world. We will invite distinguished athletes from various countries, prominent public figures and politicians to join the celebrations.
To mark the occasion, we will publish a book in several languages about the history of the Amber Prix and the development of bodybuilding around the world. The book will be unique in bringing together the history of bodybuilding in the “West”—the capitalist world—and the “East”—the socialist world. No one has attempted this before. Drawing on the documents and firsthand experience at our disposal, we aim to tell a story that few others today could tell. The manuscript is complete, and layout work has begun.
We are still discussing the title. For now, we are considering: “The Amber Prix: From a Bomb Shelter to the Blessing of the Vatican.”
In presenting this unique historical book, we will first recognize the people and organizations that have made significant contributions to the Amber Prix and the development of sport worldwide.
First, the Vatican. During an official reception at the Vatican in 2011, we presented the history of our sport. Speaking about the Amber Prix and the banning and persecution of bodybuilding in socialist countries, Cardinal Jozef Tomko described our actions in opposition to the communist regime as “dissident.” He awarded Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, president of the World WFF-WBBF Federation, a medal of Pope Benedict XVI.
The international broadcaster CNN also played an important role. In 2017, for the Amber Prix’s 50th anniversary, CNN produced a report from Klaipėda that was seen by people around the world.
We particularly value the contribution of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania to the Amber Prix and the development of sport worldwide. In 2007, when Klaipėda marked the tournament’s 40th anniversary, the Seimas voted to provide a separate line in the Lithuanian state budget for funding the tournament. For the past three decades, the Seimas has held formal receptions for participants from various countries who came to compete in the Amber Prix.
We also value the contribution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. Since the restoration of independence, we have worked with various ministers, including prime ministers, on the development of sport. More recently, we have been grateful to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its professional assistance in addressing issues important to our sport.
For more information, visit the international website www.wff.lt.
International Recognition of Public Service.
Dr Edmundas Daubaras Inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Kingdom of Denmark.
In 2008, during the WFF–WBBF World "Universe" Championships held in Vilnius, Lithuania, Dr Edmundas Daubaras received one of the most significant international distinctions of his career when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Kingdom of Denmark.
The Hall of Fame was established in 2005 by a group of distinguished Danish public figures to recognise individuals whose work has made an exceptional contribution to the advancement of health promotion, fitness, bodybuilding and international sporting cooperation. Each year, a single laureate is selected by an independent jury from among nominees representing different countries.
The standing of the distinction is reflected in its previous recipients. In 2006, the honour was awarded to Arnold Schwarzenegger, then Governor of California and one of the world's most influential figures in the history of bodybuilding. The following year, the Hall of Fame recognised Bruce Bell of Nebraska, USA—an educator, sports photographer, documentary filmmaker and publisher whose lifelong work preserved much of the visual history of international sport and helped promote the sport across the world.
In 2008, the jury considered thirteen internationally respected nominees before unanimously selecting Dr Edmundas Daubaras. The official certificate confirming the decision was presented during the international event in Vilnius by Anders Buus, Chairman of the Hall of Fame of the Kingdom of Denmark.
The citation accompanying the award describes Dr Daubaras as a leading figure in the international fitness and bodybuilding movement whose dedication has played an important role in promoting the sport and strengthening its international standing. It further acknowledges his long-standing commitment to representing athletes' interests and his contribution to fostering cooperation within the worldwide bodybuilding community.
The original citation reads:
"Mr. Edmundas Daubaras is a constant source of wisdom to the muscle sport all over the World, and his work in promoting Fitness and Bodybuilding is without comparison.
Furthermore Mr. Edmundas Daubaras is a true gentleman and always the Athletes' spokesperson No. 1, and his work will forever remain a true gesture to anybody with interest in the fine sport of Bodybuilding and shaping bodies.
It is our hope that Mr. Edmundas Daubaras will remain a true friend of the sport for many years, and we hereby welcome him into the fine company of the HALL OF FAME.
Thirteen other prominent international persons were nominated this year, but the Jury voted for Mr. Edmundas Daubaras, and he is now in the distinguished company of, amongst others, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who received this honour in 2006.
Anders Buus
Chairman, Hall of Fame of the Kingdom of Denmark
Dr Daubaras's induction into the Hall of Fame represented not merely a personal distinction but also international acknowledgement of Lithuania's contribution to the development of organised fitness and bodybuilding. His selection from a field of thirteen distinguished international nominees reflected the high regard in which his organisational leadership, public service and long-term commitment to the sport were held by the international community.
The award confirmed Dr Edmundas Daubaras's position as one of the foremost figures in the international fitness and bodybuilding movement. His work over several decades contributed substantially to the sport's institutional development, strengthened cooperation between national federations and consistently advanced the interests of athletes at the international level.
More information is on international site www.wff.lt
