World Sport History.
Honorary Doctorate for Polish Patron Jerzy (Jurek) Gotowski.
In November 2026, immediately following the 37th WFF-WBBF World Championships in Nida, Lithuania, a ceremonial event will be held in Poland during which Jerzy (Jurek) Gotowski, a long-standing friend of the World WFF-WBBF Federation, renowned Polish businessman, patron and public figure, will receive one of the highest academic distinctions – the title of Honorary Doctor. The ceremony will also be attended by the leadership of the World WFF-WBBF Federation.
A Long-standing Friendship and Partnership
Jurek Gotowski’s cooperation with the World WFF-WBBF Federation began in 2006. That year, he became one of the organisers of an international WFF-WBBF tournament in Bydgoszcz. However, his involvement did not end there.
Recognising the importance of international sports cooperation, J. Gotowski became actively involved in the Federation’s activities and soon emerged as one of its most important supporters in Poland.
His most significant contribution to WFF-WBBF activities was the organisation of the WFF-WBBF World Championships in Bydgoszcz in 2008. To this day, the event is regarded as one of the most impressive championships in the history of the Federation.
It was not only a top-level sporting competition, but also a major international event that attracted considerable attention in Europe and beyond.
An Impressive World Championship in Bydgoszcz
The World Championships were held at the prestigious “Łuczniczka” Sports Hall. Bydgoszcz was decorated with Federation symbols, exceptional conditions were provided for athletes and guests, and unique crystal medals were presented to the winners.
The high standard of organisation became an example for many international WFF-WBBF championships that followed.
Particular attention was devoted to promoting the event and strengthening its international prestige. As many as eight international press conferences were held before and after the World Championships.
Official meetings were also held at Bydgoszcz City Hall with the then Mayor Konstanty Dombrowicz and Deputy Mayor Kazimierz Drozd.
On the occasion of the World Championships, Poland’s then Minister of Sport, Zbigniew Pacelt, hosted an official reception for the leadership of the World WFF-WBBF Federation at the Ministry of Sport in Warsaw. This was a significant sign of the Federation’s international recognition at the governmental level.
Contribution to Lithuanian-Polish Cooperation
In 2008, Jurek Gotowski also financed the participation of a large Polish national delegation in the 40th International “Amber Prize” Tournament in Klaipėda, Lithuania.
The delegation was led by Bydgoszcz Deputy Mayor Kazimierz Drozd. During the visit, cooperation projects between Bydgoszcz and Klaipėda were presented and discussed with Viačeslav Karmanov, then Director of the Administration of Klaipėda City Municipality.
In this way, sporting cooperation developed into broader ties between Lithuanian and Polish cities, encompassing sport, culture and public cooperation.
Recognition of His Merits
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the international activities of WFF-WBBF, in 2009 Federation President Dr. Edmundas Daubaras presented Jurek Gotowski with the International Honorary Gold Medal.
This distinction added to J. Gotowski’s extensive collection of state and public awards received for his services to the Republic of Poland.
A Loyal Friend of the Federation
For nearly two decades, Jurek Gotowski has remained a loyal friend of the World WFF-WBBF Federation. He continues to support Federation events in Poland, attends major Federation celebrations as an honorary guest and contributes through his activities to the strengthening of international sports cooperation.
True patronage is measured not only by financial support. It is demonstrated through a long-term commitment to people, ideas and shared values.
Jurek Gotowski’s longstanding activities represent precisely such an example of patronage and international friendship.
The awarding of the Honorary Doctor title in Poland in November 2026 will become another significant recognition of his longstanding work and outstanding contribution.
More information is on international site www.wff.lt
IN THE WEST – F.I.H.C., N.A.B.B.A. AND I.F.B.B..
IN THE EAST – US. THE SITUATION HAS NOT CHANGED TO THIS DAY.
Looking back through the prism of the previous century, the key foundations of world bodybuilding history become increasingly clear.
For a long time, political circumstances divided the world into two parts – the “capitalist” West and the “socialist” East. The two worlds were isolated from one another, and bodybuilding, like many other sports, developed along separate and largely independent paths.
In the West, officially recognized bodybuilding was led from 1947 to 1969 by the international weightlifting federation F.I.H.C. (Fédération Internationale Haltérophile et Culturiste), under the significant influence of American Bob Hoffman (Robert Collins Hoffman, 1898–1985). Later, from 1971 to 1998, the leading role was assumed by I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders).
The unofficial, internationally unrecognized bodybuilding movement in the West was represented by N.A.B.B.A. (National Amateur Body-Builders' Association), established in Great Britain in 1950.
THE BEGINNING
In the socialist world, attempts were made to organize bodybuilding through F.I.H.C. In 1963, a bodybuilding organization – an athletic gymnastics commission – was established within the USSR Weightlifting Federation.
This was the first international-type bodybuilding organization in the socialist world. At the time, however, bodybuilding in the USSR was still in its infancy. The Weightlifting Federation had little interest in actively developing what was essentially a new sport introduced from above, and the organization gradually faded away.
In 1968, in Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet bodybuilding enthusiasts established a new USSR bodybuilding organization (commission). It remained active until 1973, when bodybuilding was banned and persecuted in the USSR and other socialist countries.
During this period, the organization managed to hold two USSR bodybuilding championships and establish a tradition of international competitions – the “Amber Prix” in Lithuania and the “Georg Tenno Memorial” in Estonia.
THE YEARS OF THE BODYBUILDING BAN
After bodybuilding was banned in 1973, a period of confusion and uncertainty followed. The former USSR bodybuilding organization was largely forgotten. Official competitions were discontinued, but the bodybuilding movement did not disappear.
In 1974, DSc. Edmundas Daubaras illegally organized the “Amber Prix” tournament in a bomb shelter belonging to the Klaipėda Seaport. That same year, Estonian Inaras Mardo organized the “Georg Tenno Memorial” in Tallinn.
In Estonia, the tournament was held semi-legally. The authorities were persuaded that, given Estonia's long and internationally renowned tradition of strongmen, bodybuilding could be regarded as a distinctive part of the country's national sporting heritage.
These two tournaments – Lithuania's “Amber Prix” and Estonia's “Georg Tenno Memorial” – became the most important symbols of continuity in the bodybuilding tradition of the socialist world. Despite bans and persecution, they continued to be organized.
THE USSR BODYBUILDING FEDERATION OF 1987
During the period of perestroika, the greater freedoms emerging in public life made it possible for bodybuilding to organize more openly again.
In 1987, the USSR Bodybuilding Federation was established in Kubinka, RSFSR. The traditional international competitions of the socialist world – the “Georg Tenno Memorial” and the “Amber Prix” – continued to be held.
It appeared that bodybuilding had finally broken free and would soon merge with the Western sporting system. Caught up in a kind of euphoria, the bodybuilding community of the socialist world immersed itself in the Western sport it had discovered through heavily promoted bodybuilding magazines and long admired from afar.
Yet it soon became clear that reality was considerably more complicated.
AFTER THE COLLAPSE OF THE USSR
In 1991, the USSR collapsed, and the bodybuilding forces of the former socialist world also fragmented. National federations and organizations emerged in the newly independent states, while sports organizers continued to develop, drawing knowledge and experience from the West.
Over time, however, as this interpretation of bodybuilding history maintains, another side of the picture became apparent. Western bodybuilding was not as advanced in every respect as it had appeared from a distance. In the socialist world, distinctive approaches to athletic preparation and sports organization had been developed over decades, and these traditions remained alive.
These differences also became apparent in the activities of international bodybuilding organizations.
WORLD FITNESS FEDERATION
In opposition to the growing trend toward bodybuilding gigantism, in 1995 DSc. Edmundas Daubaras and German Klaus P. J. Hoffmann took the initiative to establish an international organization – the World Fitness Federation (W.F.F. – International).
In 1996, the federation's founding meeting was held in Stuttgart. Austrian Peter Papula and Greek Anargiros Tsopouridis also participated.
Klaus Hoffmann relied on representatives of N.A.B.B.A. member countries, while Edmundas Daubaras relied on countries of the former socialist world. The aim was to create an international organization that would continue the distinctive bodybuilding traditions of Eastern Europe and the former socialist world.
Over the decades, a kind of international bodybuilding system had emerged: I.F.B.B. for athletes prepared to accept stricter anti-doping controls, N.A.B.B.A. for bodybuilders committed to its traditional approach without doping control, and W.F.F. for an organization whose roots were connected with the bodybuilding tradition of the former socialist world.
THE “AMBER PRIX” AND THE “GEORG TENNO MEMORIAL”
Today, viewed from a historical perspective, one may argue that one of the most important foundations of bodybuilding in the socialist world was not a single institution, but a living tradition of international competitions.
Its most prominent symbols were the “Amber Prix” tournament in the Lithuanian SSR and the “Georg Tenno Memorial” in the Estonian SSR.
These tournaments survived political bans, organizational changes and the collapse of the USSR. Their history reflects a distinct path of bodybuilding development that, for decades, evolved separately from the Western bodybuilding system.
Therefore, the history of world bodybuilding should not be viewed solely through the activities of Western organizations such as F.I.H.C., N.A.B.B.A. and I.F.B.B. Alongside them existed an independently developed Eastern bodybuilding tradition, built on people, organizations and, above all, a competition tradition that continued for decades without interruption.
More about this history, its people, organizations and key events will be presented in forthcoming articles.
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The WFF-WBBF Professional “World Grand Prix” Held at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic
The history of the World WFF-WBBF Federation includes many remarkable international events, but one of the most memorable took place in 2012. That year, the professional “World Grand Prix” was organized at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Moscow—an exceptional occasion in the history of world bodybuilding, as a major international professional championship was hosted on the premises of a diplomatic mission.
The venue offered ideal conditions for such an event. The Slovak Cultural Center, owned by the Embassy, included a hotel and a modern concert hall, allowing athletes’ accommodation, the competition, and official ceremonies to be held in one location.
The WFF-WBBF amateur “World Grand Prix” tournaments have been organized since 1990, while the professional series began in 2010. Over the years, these competitions have become one of the Federation’s most prestigious international projects, bringing together leading athletes from different countries.
The 2012 tournament was organized by Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, President of the World WFF-WBBF Federation, Federation Vice President Andrej Basov, and Slovak patron of sport Štefan Hrčka. In recognition of his contribution to the development of the sport, the event was officially named the “Stefan Hrcka Pro World Grand Prix.”
Participation was by personal invitation only. Thirty-six professional athletes representing Iran, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Estonia, and Lithuania competed in two weight categories for a total prize fund of 30,000 US dollars. At the time, this was already the fourth WFF-WBBF professional tournament held in 2012 with the same substantial prize fund.
Winners
Up to 90 kg
1. Mikhail Malek (Russia)
2. Shahram Hassankhani (Iran)
3. David Tukhtayev (Russia)
Over 90 kg
1. Abolfazi Aghakhani (Iran)
2. Mehdi Aghababaei (Iran)
3. Aleksandr Shevtsov (Estonia)
Following the competition, an international press conference was held to present the activities of the World WFF-WBBF Federation and the official results of the professional championship. The press conference was organized by multiple “Universe” champion, official WFF-WBBF representative in the United States, Hollywood actor, producer, and director Alexander Nevsky.
Conclusions
The 2012 “Stefan Hrcka Pro World Grand Prix” became one of the most distinctive events in the history of the World WFF-WBBF Federation. Hosting the championship at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Moscow demonstrated not only an exceptional organizational standard but also the Federation’s growing international reputation and its close cooperation with diplomatic and public institutions.
The substantial prize fund, invitation-only participation, and international media coverage reflected the increasing prestige of professional bodybuilding within the WFF-WBBF movement. More than a decade later, this championship remains one of the Federation’s most unique and representative international professional events, highlighting its commitment to promoting bodybuilding on a truly global stage.
More information is on international site www.wff.lt
When the “Amber Prix” Had to Hide:
The Story of Klaipėda’s Bodybuilding Breakthrough.
Bodybuilding was banned. Official clubs did not exist. Competitions could end in trouble. Yet in Klaipėda, athletes did not stop. They trained in a bomb shelter, competed in a prison basement, gathered in school gyms, and eventually stepped into the public eye. In this way, one of Lithuania’s most determined bodybuilding movements preserved and continued the tradition of the “Amber Prix.”
Today, as the 60th anniversary of one of the world’s oldest traditional bodybuilding competitions, the “Amber Prix,” approaches, it is difficult to imagine the circumstances under which this tournament survived. Today, the “Amber Prix” is associated with the stage, athletes, judges, spectators, and international bodybuilding. But there was a time when simply wanting to train was already a kind of challenge to the system. Bodybuilding was banned in socialist countries. Officially, it was supposed to disappear. In Klaipėda, it did not disappear. It went underground.
The Beginning – Before the Ban
The beginnings of bodybuilding in Klaipėda were shaped by Antanas Jonuškutis. He established a sports club on the premises of the Polytechnic and organized the first four “Amber Prix” tournaments, held in 1967, 1968, 1969, and 1970. These were the days when bodybuilding was only beginning to find its place in Lithuania’s sporting life. The first clubs, athletes, and competitions appeared. At the same time, however, competition was growing.
In 1970, Antanas Jonuškutis withdrew from organizational activities and completely distanced himself from bodybuilding. For some time, Klaipėda no longer had a single clear center. Athletes trained wherever and however they could. But this was only the calm before the storm.
A Bomb Shelter Becomes a Bodybuilding Club
The year 1971 became a turning point in Klaipėda’s bodybuilding history.
Vytautas Daubaras, an employee of the Klaipėda State Seaport, obtained premises in a bomb shelter belonging to the port on Sportininkų Street for young athletes to train. This was how the “Gintaras” club was established. The location itself sounds almost unbelievable today. A bomb shelter—a place intended to protect people from the dangers of war—became a place where young people were building their sporting futures. The “Gintaras” club quickly became the main bodybuilding center in Klaipėda. Around one hundred enthusiasts attended the club. These were no longer isolated athletes. They were a community. And this community was soon to face a ban.
When Sport Went Underground
The ban on bodybuilding changed everything.
The operation of official clubs became impossible, and competitions became illegal. Athletes had to choose: give up the sport they loved or continue training despite the circumstances. The people of Klaipėda chose the second path. Training did not stop. It moved to places that did not need to be spoken about openly.
In 1973, Edmundas Daubaras organized an illegal bodybuilding competition in the basement of the old city prison. The prison basement became the competition venue. That day, the athletes stepped onto the stage knowing that their sport was officially banned. In the senior category, Mindaugas Liaugaudas won, while Algimantas Ratas took first place among the juniors. These results matter not only because someone won. What mattered most was that the competition took place at all.
46 Athletes Defying the Ban
That same year, in 1973, Edmundas Daubaras brought together athletes from illegally operating clubs in Vilnius and organized a strength-dueling competition in Vilnius. Forty-six athletes from Vilnius, Klaipėda, and Šiauliai took part. The ban could close clubs, but it could not so easily destroy the connections between people. Athletes found one another. They met. They trained. They competed. In this way, not only their physical condition but also Lithuania’s bodybuilding community was preserved.
The “Amber Prix” Returns to Klaipėda
In 1974, a tournament for the “Amber Prix” was held at the “Gintaras” club, in the same bomb shelter on Sportininkų Street. Athletes from four underground bodybuilding clubs in Klaipėda took part. The competition was a full-fledged event. The athletes performed strength exercises, demonstrated the compulsory poses, and presented a free routine.
In the junior groups, the winners were Antanas Kazlauskas, Algimantas Ratas, and Sigitas Kišonas. In the youth categories, the strongest were Kęstutis Virketis and Evaldas Šorius. In the senior categories, the winners were Sigitas Vilutis and Vytautas Zenkevičius. Antanas Kazlauskas, Evaldas Šorius, and Vytautas Zenkevičius were named the overall winners in their respective age groups.
But behind the lines of the official results was something much more important. Every such victory was proof that the ban had not destroyed the sport.
The School Gym
In 1975, the “Amber Prix” tournament moved to one of Klaipėda’s general education schools. Athletes from Telšiai and Vilnius came to compete. In the junior groups, the winners were Leonidas Rodionovas, Rimas Apulskis, and Antanas Dobrodzejus. In the youth categories, first places went to Antanas Bašermanas, Algimantas Ruplys, and Aimontas Dolgichas. In the senior groups, the strongest were Vytautas Zenkevičius, Olegas Serovas, and Rišardas Krinickis. Rimas Apulskis, Algimantas Ruplys, and Rišardas Krinickis were named the overall winners.
The geography was expanding. Klaipėda was no longer the only point on the map. The bodybuilding movement was connecting different cities and different generations of athletes.
A Risky Step in Telšiai
In 1976, Edmundas Daubaras took another step.
He organized the “Amber Prix” tournament together with the “Žemaitija Cup” in Telšiai. The strength event took place at one of the city’s schools, while the physique presentation was held at the Telšiai Cultural Centre. This is where the story becomes particularly interesting. Bodybuilding was still banned. Yet the athletes had to appear in public. Edmundas Daubaras took a risk. He managed to convince the administration of the Cultural Centre that the event was not a violation. What is more, the Cultural Centre advertised the event to the residents of the city. And then something happened that perhaps few could have expected. The hall filled with people. Bodybuilding, which had been pushed underground, became a public spectacle for one evening. Athletes from Vilnius, Klaipėda, and Šiauliai took part in the competition. In the junior subcategories, the winners were Rimas Apulskis, Stasys Stanius, and Rimas Česaitis. In the youth categories, the winners were Antanas Bašermanas, Aimontas Dolgichas, and Evaldas Šorius. In the senior categories, the winners were Valentinas Vandys and Rišardas Krinickis. The overall winners were Rimas Apulskis, Evaldas Šorius, and Rišardas Krinickis. The competition went smoothly. Nothing happened that people had feared might happen.
And this changed Edmundas Daubaras’s understanding of what was possible.
1977: The Doors Open
After Telšiai, Edmundas Daubaras became even more confident.
With the assistance of his father, Vytautas Daubaras, the 1977 “Amber Prix” tournament was held at the Cultural Centre of the Klaipėda State Seaport. This time, only the physique presentation was included. There were no strength exercises. But the most important thing was not the program. It was the venue. A cultural centre. A public hall. Spectators. And athletes who only a few years earlier had competed in a prison basement were now standing before a packed audience. There was no official advertising. The spectators were brought to the event “live,” through word of mouth, by Klaipėda’s athletes themselves. The hall was packed with enthusiasts. Athletes from Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda took part. The journey from the bomb shelter to the Cultural Centre had been completed.
From the Underground to History
Looking back today, the journey seems almost symbolic.
In 1971, bodybuilding in Klaipėda found shelter in a bomb shelter.
In 1973, athletes competed in the basement of an old prison.
In 1974, the “Amber Prix” once again echoed underground.
In 1975, the competition was already being held in a school.
In 1976, the bodybuilders stepped onto the stage of the Telšiai Cultural Centre.
And in 1977, the “Amber Prix” appeared at the Cultural Centre of the Klaipėda State Seaport, before a packed audience. This was not merely a change in the geography of sporting events. It was a journey from the underground into the public eye. And along this journey, the most important thing was preserved: the tradition. During the years when bodybuilding was banned, it was not easy to train in Klaipėda. It was not easy to organize competitions. It was not even easy to meet with like-minded people. But there were people who refused to give up. Vytautas Daubaras provided a place for training. Edmundas Daubaras took the organizational risks. The athletes attended training sessions, prepared for competitions, and ignored the fact that their sport existed outside the official system. That is why the history of the “Amber Prix” is not simply a sequence of winners, records, and dates. It is a story of perseverance. A story about people who refused to let the tradition disappear. A story about a sport that, although banned, remained alive. And perhaps that is why, when looking back at the history of the “Amber Prix” today, it is important to remember not only those who stood on the stage and were announced as winners, but also those who took risks simply to make sure that the stage existed at all.
The “Amber Prix” never stopped. For a while, it simply took place where it was not supposed to.
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Slovakia as an International Center of W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. Bodybuilding and Fitness:
The Role of Patron Stefan Hrčka (2009–2013).
Introduction
At the end of the first decade of the twenty-first century and the beginning of the second, the Slovak Republic emerged as one of the most important centers of the international fitness and bodybuilding movement in Europe. This development was closely linked to the activities of the World Fitness Federation (W.F.F.) and the World Body Building Federation (W.B.B.F.), as well as to the exceptional support provided by Slovak patron and public figure Stefan Hrčka. Through his initiative and organizational capabilities, Slovakia became the host of a series of high-level international sporting events that attracted the attention not only of the sports community but also of the country’s highest political institutions.
The 2009 “Universe” Contest in Brusno Kupele
A significant milestone was the international “Universe” contest held on November 6–8, 2009, in the Brusno Kupele resort located in the Tatra region of Slovakia. Athletes from thirteen countries participated in the event: Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Germany, Austria, France, Hungary, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela.
The international status of the contest was underscored by the presence of high-ranking Slovak state officials. Among them was Dušan Galis, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Government Committee for Youth and Sports, who presented a Letter of Appreciation from the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Robert Fico, to the President of the World W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. Federation, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras. This gesture reflected the official recognition of the Federation’s activities and its contribution to the organization of international sporting events.
International Recognition and the “International Honour Gold Medal”
During the 2009 event, former Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Vladimír Mečiar was awarded the International Honour Gold Medal. The award recognized his personal contribution to the development of sport and the promotion of health and fitness both nationally and internationally.
At that time, the medal represented one of the highest distinctions conferred by the World W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. Federation. Prior to Mečiar, it had been awarded only to former President of the Austrian Parliament Professor Alfred Gerstl. This practice reflected the Federation’s commitment to strengthening cooperation between sport and public institutions while recognizing individuals who contributed significantly to the promotion of healthy lifestyles.
Cooperation with Slovak State Institutions
Following the 2009 “Universe” contest, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras received an official invitation to the Government Office of the Slovak Republic in Bratislava. During the meeting with Prime Minister Robert Fico and Chancellor František Hatar, discussions focused on the future development of international sport and the prospects for organizing further W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. events in Slovakia.
During the visit, Robert Fico was presented with the International Honour Gold Medal as a symbol of the Federation’s appreciation for his support of sport and health-promotion initiatives.
This cooperation continued in 2012. While preparing for the World Championship in Brusno Kupele, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras held a second official meeting with Prime Minister Robert Fico. The meeting was attended by Stefan Hrčka and Lubomir Martinka, the official W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. representative in Slovakia. During the discussions, Prime Minister Fico agreed to serve as Patron of the World Championship, once again demonstrating the Slovak Government’s support for the event.
Slovakia as a Center of International Bodybuilding Events
Between 2009 and 2013, the Brusno Kupele resort became the permanent venue for the most important W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. events, including World Amateur and Professional Championships and international “Universe” contests. The organizational foundation of these events was built upon the close cooperation between the World W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. Federation and Stefan Hrčka.
Particularly significant were the events held in 2013, which were attended by the Speaker of the Slovak Parliament, Ján Figeľ. During his visit, he not only participated in the official ceremonies but also presented Dr. Edmundas Daubaras with the Slovak Parliament’s Certificate of Honour and a special Parliamentary Medal in recognition of his long-standing contribution to the development of international fitness and bodybuilding.
Subsequently, at the invitation of the Speaker, Dr. Daubaras paid an official visit to the Parliament of the Slovak Republic in Bratislava. The meetings focused on issues related to sports policy, public health promotion, and international cooperation.
International Recognition and Continuity
The support of Slovak state institutions for the Federation’s activities continued beyond 2013. During the 2016 W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. World Championship held in Lithuania, Slovak delegation leader Lubomir Martinka presented Dr. Edmundas Daubaras with a Certificate of Honour from the Parliament of the Slovak Republic. The document was signed by Deputy Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Andrej Hrnčiar.
This award symbolized the long-term cooperation between Slovakia and the World W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. Federation and served as recognition of outstanding contributions to the development of the international fitness and bodybuilding movement.
Development of International Relations
The expansion of international relations also played an important role in the Federation’s activities. In 2011, an official visit to the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Bratislava was organized. The meeting with the Cuban Ambassador was attended by Dr. Edmundas Daubaras and Stefan Hrčka. Discussions focused on opportunities for Cuban athletes to participate in W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. events and on future prospects for sports cooperation.
Conclusions
The period from 2009 to 2013 occupies a special place in the history of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. Federation. During these years, Slovakia became one of the most significant international centers of fitness and bodybuilding in Europe. This status was achieved not only through the regular organization of world-class sporting events but also through the active involvement of Slovak state institutions.
An analysis of this period demonstrates that a decisive role was played by patron Stefan Hrčka, whose initiatives, organizational efforts, and financial support created the conditions necessary for the successful implementation of long-term international projects. His contribution stands as a notable example of how private patronage and civic initiative can enable a relatively small European nation to become a focal point of a global sporting movement.
More information is on international site www.wff.lt
World Bodybuilding History.
WFF-WBBF PROFESSIONAL DIVISION FOR ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES.
From the 1998 Palanga Congress to the International Professional Stage
The WFF-WBBF International Congress held in Palanga in 1998 became an important milestone in the history of sport for people with disabilities. Following the decisions adopted at the Congress, the World WFF-WBBF Federation (World Fitness Federation, World Body Building Federation) began systematically developing activities involving athletes with disabilities. According to the federation's historical sources, continuous work with athletes with disabilities began in 1999.
This was an important step from individual athlete appearances toward a consistent international competition system for athletes with disabilities, in which athletes could compete for World and European Championship titles and participate in international tournaments.
The First Generation of Champions
The first international WFF-WBBF champions among athletes with disabilities were Garib Jounis (Netherlands), Torsten Petersen (Denmark), Aleksandr Koroliov (Estonia), and Sergej Beglik (Lithuania).
A special place in this history belongs to Lithuanian athlete Sergej Beglik (Lithuania). The federation's historical sources emphasize that he won all the official international competitions that were possible at the time — the World and European Championships, as well as the international “Universe” tournament. Then his trainer was the best Lithuania bodybuilder of all times Natalija Murnikoviene.
The official WFF-WBBF historical list of champions shows that Torsten Petersen (Denmark) became World Champion in 1999, 2000 and 2002, Aleksandr Koroliov (Estonia) in 2001, Sergej Beglik (Lithuania) in 2003, and Garib Younis (Netherlands) in 2004.
This first generation of athletes laid the foundations for the international WFF-WBBF tradition in sport for people with disabilities.
An International Sports Movement
In subsequent years, numerous high-level international athletes from different countries emerged in the WFF-WBBF division for athletes with disabilities.
Among them were:
Mickael Louvel (France), Peter Smit (South Africa), Tolga Murat Balikci (Turkey), Dian Michailov (Bulgaria), Petar Milenkovič (Serbia), Anastasia Belkovskaja (Russia), Gustavo Rodrigues (Brazil), Karol Milewski (Poland), Mariusz Krzystof Kupczak (Poland), Grzegorz Dabrowski (Poland), Aleksandr Golub (Ukraine), Nias Izmailov (Ukraine), Oleg Abornev (Ukraine), Oleg Pileckij (Ukraine), Aleksandr Rossomakin (Ukraine), Ravinder Singh (India), Anand Arnold (India), and Aleksejs Petkevics (Latvia).
Lithuania was represented by Viktoras Topolis (Lithuania), Nikolajus Mironovas (Lithuania), Arturas Krutulis (Lithuania), Genadijus Zametaškinas (Lithuania), Karolis Stončius (Lithuania), and Artūras Bolyčevas (Lithuania).
This list of athletes demonstrates the true international character of the division: it represents countries from Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.
The World Champions’ Chain
The historical list of World Champions published by WFF-WBBF shows a consistent succession of champions from different countries. Following the first generation, the World Champions were:
• Oleg Abornev (Ukraine) — 2014;
• Karol Milewski (Poland) — 2015;
• Anand Arnold (India) — 2016;
• Mariusz Krzystof Kupczak (Poland) — 2017 and 2019;
• Tolga Murat Balikci (Turkey) — 2018;
• Aleksejs Petkevics (Latvia) — 2020, 2021 and 2022;
• Grzegorz Piotr Dabrowski (Poland) — 2023.
This succession of champions clearly demonstrates how the geographical distribution of leading athletes in disability sport changed over more than two decades — from athletes representing Lithuania, Denmark, Estonia and the Netherlands to champions from Ukraine, Poland, India, Turkey and Latvia.
The Professional Division — A New Historical Stage
Another essential step for WFF-WBBF was the creation of a professional division for athletes with disabilities.
The Executive Council of the federation decided to establish the WFF-WBBF Professional Division for Athletes with Disabilities.
It consists of two main categories:
• general category for professional athletes with disabilities;
• category for professional athletes with disabilities competing in wheelchairs.
Athletes who meet the WFF-WBBF professional requirements may receive a WFF-WBBF Professional Card (“Pro Card”) and participate in professional competitions.
This represented a qualitatively new stage. An athlete with a disability became not only a participant in international amateur competitions, but also an athlete within the professional sports system.
In 2018, Tolga Murat Balikci (Turkey) became the first-ever WFF-WBBF World Professional Champion among athletes with disabilities. In the same year, he also won the World Amateur Championship among all participating athletes.
Professional Champions
Among the most prominent WFF-WBBF professional athletes in disability sport were:
• Anand Arnold (India);
• Aleksejs Petkevics (Latvia);
• Tolga Murat Balikci (Turkey);
• Mickael Louvel (France);
• Kamil Kowalczyk (Poland).
The international character of the professional division continued in later years.
14 Countries — One Sporting History
The historical list of WFF-WBBF athletes in disability sport represents 14 countries:
the Netherlands, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, South Africa, Turkey, Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine, Brazil, Poland, France, India, and Latvia.
This is not merely a statistical fact. The geography of 14 countries demonstrates that the WFF-WBBF disability sport division has grown into an international sports system, bringing together representatives of different continents and sporting schools.
A special place in this history belongs to Lithuania. It was not only the home country of one of the first champions — Sergej Beglik (Lithuania) — but also one of the countries from which several high-level international athletes emerged. Furthermore, the international congress held in Palanga in 1998 is identified in the federation's history as an important starting point for further work with athletes with disabilities.
Conclusion
The history of WFF-WBBF disability sport is not merely a history of World Champions, medals and titles.
It is a journey of more than two decades — from the decisions of the 1998 Palanga Congress to an international professional sports system in which athletes from 14 countries competed for World Championship titles and professional status.
During this period, several generations of athletes emerged. Among them were Torsten Petersen (Denmark), Garib Jounis (Netherlands), Aleksandr Koroliov (Estonia), Sergej Beglik (Lithuania), Oleg Abornev (Ukraine), Karol Milewski (Poland), Anand Arnold (India), Tolga Murat Balikci (Turkey), Mariusz Krzystof Kupczak (Poland), Aleksejs Petkevics (Latvia), Grzegorz Piotr Dabrowski (Poland) and many other athletes who became part of WFF-WBBF disability sport history.
The most important message of this history is that disability is not an obstacle to achieving the highest level of sporting excellence. An athlete with a disability can be a World Champion, a professional, a representative of their country, and an equal member of the international sporting community.
Therefore, the history of the WFF-WBBF disability sport division can be viewed as a long-term project of sporting excellence, internationalism, professionalism and inclusion.
Its origins are linked to Lithuania, while its achievements belong to the entire international sporting community.
The History of Champions — More Than a List of Titles
WFF-WBBF historical data records a consistent succession of World Champions among athletes with disabilities. It includes athletes from different generations: from Torsten Petersen, Garib Jounis and Sergej Beglik to Tolga Murat Balikci, Karol Milewski, Mariusz Krzystof Kupczak, Anand Arnold, Aleksejs Petkevics and Grzegorz Dabrowski.
Several athletes stand out particularly. In 2018, Tolga Murat Balikci became the first-ever WFF-WBBF World Professional Champion among athletes with disabilities. Aleksejs Petkevics subsequently emerged as one of the most prominent athletes with disabilities in the world, while Mariusz Krzystof Kupczak won the World Championship title more than once.
The Professional Division — A New Historical Stage
Another important step was the creation of the WFF-WBBF Professional Division for athletes with disabilities. By decision of the federation's Executive Council, a professional system was established, providing top-level athletes with the opportunity to move from amateur to professional sport.
The professional division includes two main categories:
• general category for professional athletes with disabilities;
• category for professional athletes with disabilities competing in wheelchairs.
Athletes who meet the WFF-WBBF professional criteria may receive a WFF-WBBF Professional Card (“Pro Card”) and participate in professional competitions.
This was a fundamental change: an athlete with a disability became not only a competition participant, but also a part of the professional sports system.
Professional Champions
Among the most prominent WFF-WBBF professional athletes in disability sport are:
• Anand Arnold (India);
• Aleksejs Petkevics (Latvia);
• Tolga Murat Balikci (Turkey);
• Mickael Louvel (France);
• Kamil Kowalczyk (Poland).
The professional division remains part of the WFF-WBBF competition system today. In more recent competition data published by the federation, the “Disabled Bodybuilding” category is listed among the professional categories.
The Main Conclusion of WFF-WBBF Disability Sport History
The history of WFF-WBBF disability sport is more than the history of individual champions and medals.
From the decisions adopted in Palanga in 1998 to the creation of the professional division, a journey was made from individual international appearances to an organized and international sports system.
During this period, several generations of champions emerged, while athletes from Lithuania, Europe, Asia, Africa and South America demonstrated that disability is not an obstacle to achieving the highest sporting results, becoming a World Champion, or attaining professional status.
The most important message of this history is that an athlete with a disability is not an exception here. They are an athlete striving for the highest level of sporting excellence, with the right to international recognition, professional status, and a place on the world sporting stage.
Therefore, the history of the WFF-WBBF disability sport division can be regarded as a long-term project of inclusion, sporting professionalism and international competition, whose origins are associated with Lithuania and, in particular, with the 1998 international congress in Palanga
DORIAN YATES SPEAKS OUT: IS THE OLYMPIA MOVING AWAY FROM REAL BODYBUILDING?
Six-time Mr. Olympia champion Dorian Yates has not hidden his disappointment with the direction professional bodybuilding is taking today. The Briton's criticism goes beyond the athletes' physiques – it raises a much bigger question about what judges should actually be rewarding on the Olympia stage.
Dorian Yates needs little introduction. From 1992 to 1997, the Brit won the Mr. Olympia title six consecutive times, permanently securing his place in bodybuilding history.
His formula for victory was brutally simple and extraordinarily difficult to replicate: enormous muscle mass, incredible density, razor-sharp conditioning and extreme muscular detail.
Today, however, Yates watches professional bodybuilding from a different perspective – as a former champion and one of the sport's most influential observers.
And not everything he sees appears to impress him.
“Is this really what bodybuilding is supposed to look like?”
The 2026 Olympia once again demonstrated just how heated the debate over the direction of professional bodybuilding has become.
What should matter most today – maximum muscle mass, proportions, aesthetics, conditioning or the overall presentation on stage?
Some fans believe that the modern Open division is moving further and further away from the classic concept of bodybuilding. Athletes are becoming enormous, reaching levels of muscularity that previous generations could hardly have imagined.
But at the same time, one question keeps coming back:
Does a bigger physique automatically make someone a better bodybuilder?
This is where Dorian Yates' voice becomes particularly relevant.
The former champion has repeatedly criticized the modern pursuit of extreme physiques and has also spoken about the use of synthetic fillers such as Synthol and PMMA. In his view, practices like these can distort the very essence of bodybuilding – developing muscle and creating balanced proportions.
The 2026 Olympia sparks another wave of debate
The 2026 Mr. Olympia contest in Las Vegas was no exception.
Nick Walker won the title, Samson Dauda finished second, and Derek Lunsford took third.
The results quickly became a major topic of discussion among fans, coaches and former competitors.
But there is one important point to understand: the Olympia is not a competition where the winner can be determined by a single objective number.
Judges evaluate the complete package – muscular development, proportions, symmetry, conditioning and posing.
That is precisely why the same question returns every year:
Which of these criteria should carry the greatest weight?
One viewer sees incredible size. Another focuses on aesthetics. A third looks primarily at conditioning. A fourth asks whether a particular physique still matches their definition of an ideal bodybuilder.
That is why the Olympia has never been simply about one line on the final scorecard.
From the Yates era to the present day
The professional bodybuilding standards during Yates' era were already extreme. In fact, Yates himself was one of the athletes who helped push the sport into a new era of muscularity.
But Yates was defined by more than size.
His back became one of the most iconic physiques in bodybuilding history. Density, detail, separation and extreme conditioning were his trademarks.
He wasn't simply “big” – he looked incredibly dense, dry and hard.
Today, the situation has changed.
Athletes have become even larger. Advances in training methodology, nutrition, recovery and professional preparation have allowed competitors to reach levels of physical development that previous generations could barely imagine.
But along with that progress comes another question:
Where is the limit?
When “more” no longer means “better”
This is perhaps the central question behind Yates' criticism.
Bodybuilding has always been a sport built around the pursuit of more.
More muscle. More detail. Better proportions. Better conditioning.
But the pursuit of extremity can also become a trap.
When mass becomes the primary objective, waistlines, proportions, aesthetics and overall presentation can suffer.
And when athletes begin using synthetic fillers to alter the visual appearance of particular body parts, the debate becomes even more complicated.
That is why the criticism surrounding modern bodybuilding is about far more than one Olympia result.
It is a debate about the future of bodybuilding itself.
Should judges protect aesthetics?
This question is not going away.
If the sport continues to reward maximum muscularity above all else, athletes will have even more incentive to pursue extreme size.
If greater emphasis is placed on proportions, symmetry and aesthetics, the direction of the sport could change.
However, the official Olympia judging criteria have never simply been about “whoever is biggest wins.” Judges evaluate the athlete's physique as a complete package.
And that is precisely why every judging decision becomes a subject of debate:
Did the judging panel truly evaluate that “complete package” in the way the sport and its fans believe it should be evaluated?
Yates has become an uncomfortable voice
Dorian Yates is no longer fighting for the Sandow trophy. He is no longer stepping onstage or trying to win the approval of judges.
That gives his comments a different kind of weight.
He speaks as someone who has already stood where today's best bodybuilders are trying to go. He knows what it means to prepare for the Olympia, understands the level of conditioning required to compete at the highest level, and belongs to the generation that transformed professional bodybuilding.
That is why his criticism raises an uncomfortable question:
Is modern bodybuilding still trying to create the perfect physique – or has it become a competition to see who can become the biggest human being on the stage?
The answer will not depend solely on the judges.
It will be shaped by the athletes themselves, their coaches, promoters and millions of fans around the world.
One thing is certain: Dorian Yates' era ended nearly three decades ago, but his vision of what an elite bodybuilder should look like continues to fuel debate.
And judging by the reaction to the 2026 Olympia, that debate is far from over.
SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING — THE UNKNOWN PART OF WORLD SPORT HISTORY.
Against the Background of Western Bodybuilding — Another History That Remained Behind the Iron Curtain for Decades
What is known today about the bodybuilding that developed on the other side of the Iron Curtain?
When we speak about the history of world bodybuilding, we most often think of the United States, Great Britain, California, the famous “Mr. Universe” and “Mr. Olympia” competitions, world-renowned athletes, and the major Western bodybuilding organizations.
But this is only one side of the story.
On the other side of the Iron Curtain, bodybuilding also existed. There were athletes, coaches, judges, gyms, clubs, competitions, organizers, and people who, despite the political system and various restrictions, created their own bodybuilding traditions.
Today, this part of history remains virtually unknown to many followers of world bodybuilding.
And that is precisely why it must be remembered.
HISTORY WAS WRITTEN NOT ONLY BY THE WEST
Since 2012, the World WFF-WBBF Federation has been preparing a major historical project in three languages — the World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia.
This is not simply another book about champions, medals, and sporting records.
It is an attempt to look at bodybuilding as a global historical phenomenon.
As this material has been researched, one fact has become increasingly clear: until now, the history of world bodybuilding has often been presented primarily from a Western perspective. Much attention has been devoted to sports organizations and competitions in Western countries. This is an important part of bodybuilding history, but it is far from the whole story.
During the 20th century, the world was divided into two major political and economic systems — East and West.
There were not only political borders between them.
There was also an information barrier.
The sporting world was divided as well.
As a result, for many years the West knew very little about what was happening in Eastern Europe and other socialist countries.
But sporting history did not stop there.
It was simply being created on the other side of the border.
A BODYBUILDING THAT “DID NOT EXIST”?
In a certain sense, the history of socialist bodybuilding is a paradox.
Bodybuilding existed even though it was not always recognized within the official sports system.
Athletes trained even though their sport was viewed with suspicion in some countries.
Competitions were held even though many of them never became part of the official international sporting record.
There were people who created bodybuilding clubs and traditions, even though their activities often depended on the attitude of the particular political and sporting system.
Therefore, socialist bodybuilding cannot be judged today solely by how much information about it survived in the Western press.
The absence of information is not proof that historical events did not take place.
This is one of the main reasons why the history of socialist bodybuilding deserves to be studied separately.
FOUR PERIODS IN THE HISTORY OF SOCIALIST BODYBUILDING
Based on the historical material collected so far, four major periods in the development of socialist bodybuilding can be identified.
I. THE ROMANTIC PERIOD OF BODYBUILDING — 1963–1973
This was a period of beginnings and enthusiasm.
Bodybuilding was only beginning to establish itself within the sporting world. There was no unified system, no common set of rules, and no international flow of information comparable to what exists today.
Individual enthusiasts played an enormous role.
They searched for information, read foreign magazines, studied photographs, followed Western athletes, developed training methods on their own, and tried to apply whatever knowledge they were able to obtain.
A new culture gradually developed in gyms.
The body became not only a symbol of physical strength, but also an object of discipline, aesthetics, and personal improvement.
Many traditions that would survive for decades were born during this period.
This was the romantic period of bodybuilding — a time when the sport was often built not for financial gain, but through enthusiasm and dedication.
II. THE PERIOD OF BANS AND PERSECUTION — 1973–1987
This period was completely different.
In some socialist countries, bodybuilding faced official distrust, various restrictions, bans, and administrative pressure.
Attitudes toward bodybuilding were contradictory.
In some countries it was regarded as something foreign, unnecessary, or ideologically unacceptable. Particularly controversial was the influence of Western culture, which increasingly reached Eastern European athletes through the press, photographs, sports literature, and training methods.
Yet something paradoxical happened.
The more restrictions appeared, the more bodybuilding moved into the sphere of enthusiasts, sports clubs, and private gyms.
It did not disappear.
It continued to exist.
Sometimes officially.
Sometimes semi-officially.
Sometimes almost underground.
This period is especially important because it tested the determination of many bodybuilding enthusiasts.
Some were forced to withdraw.
Others continued their work.
Still others became mentors to a new generation of bodybuilders.
Therefore, this period can be described not only as a period of bans, but also as a period of bodybuilding's survival.
III. THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD — THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOCIALIST SYSTEM
At the end of the 1980s, the political map of Europe began to change rapidly.
Sport changed as well.
New opportunities for travel emerged.
Information channels opened.
Athletes gained the opportunity to see directly what was happening in the West.
They could participate in international competitions, establish direct contacts with foreign organizations, and exchange experience.
The bodybuilding world, which for decades had been divided into two separate systems, began to come together.
But another process began at the same time.
The old history began to disappear.
Some of the people who had built bodybuilding during the socialist period withdrew from active involvement.
Some archives remained in private hands.
Some documents were lost.
Many old competitions and their participants were not included in later international historical publications.
Thus, political borders collapsed, but the historical gap did not disappear overnight.
IV. THE PRESENT PERIOD
Today, bodybuilding is global.
An athlete from Lithuania can compete in the United States.
A coach from Europe can communicate directly with colleagues in Asia.
Information about training, nutrition, and sporting methods is available throughout much of the world.
But globalization has another side.
Globalization can sometimes erase historical differences.
The new generation sees the present, but does not always know what came before it.
That is why it is especially important today to preserve not only current sporting achievements, but also the history of the people, organizations, and competitions that shaped the sport.
THE “AMBER PRIX” — A LIVING TESTIMONY OF HISTORY
In the history of Lithuanian bodybuilding, the “Amber Prix” holds a special place.
In 2027, Klaipėda will mark the 60th anniversary of this traditional bodybuilding event.
This is not simply a symbolic anniversary.
It represents six decades of sporting history.
Six decades during which political systems, state borders, the organization of sport, access to information, and bodybuilding itself all changed.
But the tradition survived.
That is why the history of the “Amber Prix” is important not only to Lithuanian sport.
It is part of the broader European and world history of bodybuilding.
There are few traditional bodybuilding competitions in the world whose history reaches back so many decades.
Only the NABBA “Mr. Universe,” organized in England since 1950, and the “Mr. Olympia” competition, organized in the United States since 1965, have older traditions.
Therefore, the 2027 anniversary is an opportunity not only to remember the past, but also to take a new look at the history of bodybuilding.
WHY DO WE NEED TO RETURN TO THE PAST TODAY?
Because history very quickly becomes legend.
And legend does not always coincide with fact.
One person remembers events one way.
Another remembers them differently.
One publication gives one date.
Another gives a different one.
One athlete remains in collective memory.
Another, although perhaps equally important, is forgotten.
That is why history must not only be told.
It must be documented.
Old competition records must be found.
Photographs must be preserved.
Competition posters must be collected.
Those who personally witnessed these events must be interviewed.
Dates and facts must be verified.
And, above all, history must be viewed from a broader perspective.
NOT EAST AGAINST WEST, BUT ONE COMMON HISTORY OF BODYBUILDING
When we speak about the history of socialist bodybuilding, the goal is not to set East against West.
Quite the opposite.
The goal is to show that both parts of this history existed simultaneously and influenced one another.
Western bodybuilding influenced the East.
Eastern athletes and coaches also developed their own methods, traditions, and sporting culture.
The conditions were different.
The opportunities were different.
The political environment was different.
But the human desire to become stronger, to improve oneself, and to achieve better physical development was the same.
Therefore, there is little value today in asking which side of bodybuilding history is more important.
What matters is understanding that without one of these parts, the history of world bodybuilding remains incomplete.
HISTORIES THAT MUST NOT BE LOST
The preparation of the World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia and the historical project dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the “Amber Prize” provide an opportunity to fill one of the significant gaps in the history of world bodybuilding.
It is an opportunity to bring together, in a single historical narrative, what was divided for decades.
The history of Western and Eastern bodybuilding.
The world's major competitions and smaller events that were nevertheless historically significant.
International organizations and local sports clubs.
Famous champions and the people who never became world champions but whose work laid the foundations for future generations.
Because sporting history is created not only by winners.
It is created by people.
And if we do not preserve their stories today, tomorrow there may be no one left to tell them.
THE HISTORY OF BODYBUILDING HAS NOT YET BEEN FULLY WRITTEN
The history of bodybuilding is not a finished book.
It is still being written.
Every newly discovered document, every old photograph, every competition record, and every eyewitness account can add something to the overall picture of world bodybuilding.
Therefore, studying the history of socialist bodybuilding is not simply a look into the past.
It is a responsibility to the future.
So that future generations will know that bodybuilding did not emerge in one country, one city, or one organization.
It developed in many places.
Under different conditions.
Within different political systems.
In different languages.
But it was created by people who shared the same desire — to become stronger, to improve themselves, and to build a sport.
Therefore, socialist bodybuilding is not a forgotten footnote in the history of world sport.
It is a part of world bodybuilding history that finally deserves to be told.
The Contribution of WFF–WBBF to the Development of Global Fit-Kid:
27 Years of International Sporting Tradition.
The history of Fit-Kid Championships from 1999 to 2025 represents 27 years of the development of international children’s and youth sport. An analysis of the results from this period shows not only the changing geography of championship victories, but above all the continuity of the international competition system developed within the framework of the W.F.F. – World Fitness Federation and W.B.B.F. – World Bodybuilding Federation.
Fit-Kid is a children’s fitness discipline that combines elements of gymnastics, aerobics, acrobatics, physical preparation and stage presentation. Its significance, however, extends beyond sporting competition itself. For children and young people, participation in competitions involves systematic training, physical development, discipline, cooperation with coaches and the opportunity to represent their country on the international stage.
WFF–WBBF as an International Platform
One of the most important elements in the history of Fit-Kid is the operation of the WFF–WBBF international competition system. Regular international championships make it possible to establish a long-term sporting tradition involving athletes, coaches, clubs, national teams and sports organizers from different countries.
Within this system, the international federation plays an organizational and integrating role. International competitions create a common environment for sporting competition, enable comparisons of athletic performance and provide continuity for the development of successive generations of participants.
From this perspective, Fit-Kid is not a separate, one-time project. It is part of a broader international fitness system in which, over decades, a structure of competitions, age categories, judging procedures and cooperation between clubs and national teams has been developed.
27 Years and Eight Countries
The results of the absolute Fit-Kid Championships for 1999–2025 show that titles were won by representatives of eight European countries: Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Serbia, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Hungary.
The geography of the championship victories changed over the years. During different periods, particular countries were more frequently represented among the champions, while new national representatives subsequently joined the competition. This demonstrates that the championship system was not limited to one country or one region, but developed across a broader European sporting environment.
Over the 27-year period, 27 championship titles were awarded. Some athletes won the title more than once, demonstrating the possibility of maintaining a high level of preparation and continuing competitive development. At the same time, new names regularly appeared, reflecting generational change and continuity within the system.
Continuity Between Generations
One of the most important characteristics of the Fit-Kid history is continuity. With each successive period, new participants, coaches and teams appear, while the international competition structure continues to operate.
This model is particularly important in children’s sport. A child who begins training can gradually progress through different stages of sporting development, participate in national and international competitions, gain experience and eventually become part of the next generation that continues the sporting tradition.
In this way, the history of Fit-Kid is not simply a list of champions. It represents a long-term sporting tradition developed across generations.
The International Character of the System
The results also demonstrate the distinctly international character of Fit-Kid. Championship victories have been distributed among several countries, while the geographical composition of the participants has changed over the years.
This is important for the development of children’s fitness because international competition provides additional motivation for training and development. Participants have the opportunity to meet athletes from other countries, experience different approaches to preparation and gain valuable experience in an international competitive environment.
Coaches and clubs also play an important role in this process. The development of an athlete is not based solely on individual talent, but also on long-term coaching, organizational support and the involvement of families.
The Social Significance of Fit-Kid
The 27-year history of the championships also has a broader social dimension. Children’s sport helps develop habits associated with physical activity, consistency and responsibility.
Participation in international competitions allows young athletes to gain experience, manage the pressure associated with performing and function within a sporting environment where rules, preparation and mutual respect are important.
For this reason, the development of Fit-Kid can be assessed not only through the number of championship titles, but also through the sustainability of the wider sporting environment that has developed around the discipline.
2025 – A Continuation of the Tradition
The year 2025 represents another stage in this history. According to the results provided, the absolute champion was Elzbieta Matoga of Poland.
However, the significance of this result should be viewed within the context of the entire 27-year period. One championship title is part of a much broader history involving many generations of athletes, coaches, clubs and national teams.
Conclusion
Twenty-seven years of Fit-Kid Championships demonstrate, above all, the continuity of an international sporting tradition. Between 1999 and 2025, 27 championship titles were awarded to athletes representing eight countries, with both returning champions and new generations of participants becoming part of the history of the competition.
From the perspective of WFF–WBBF, one of the most important achievements of this process is the creation and maintenance of an international platform for the development of children’s fitness. The competition system brings together athletes, coaches, clubs, national teams and organizers within a shared international sporting tradition.
The history of Fit-Kid is therefore not only a history of individual victories. It is above all 27 years of international children’s fitness development within the WFF–WBBF system, reflecting continuity, international cooperation and the emergence of successive generations of young athletes.
2009 WFF-WBBF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.
In 2009, Lithuania Was Among the Leaders in Tallinn: 263 Athletes, 28 Countries and 11 Lithuanian Podium Finishes
November 21, 2009, became an important day for the global fitness and bodybuilding community. A total of 263 athletes from 28 countries gathered in Estonia’s capital, Tallinn. Among them were representatives of Lithuania, who returned home with as many as 11 podium finishes, including five category victories.
The sports hall in Tallinn was filled that day with both tension and a wide variety of sporting cultures. The championship programme was exceptionally broad — ranging from children’s “Fit-Kid” and aerobic fitness to model fitness, strength fitness and various bodybuilding categories.
Yet when looking at the official results today, more than fifteen years later, a more interesting picture emerges: Lithuania was considerably more visible on the international fitness and bodybuilding scene at the time than one might expect simply by looking at the country’s size.
263 Athletes, 28 Countries and One Results Table
The 2009 championship was a true international sporting map. The results recorded athletes from almost fifty countries.
However, a relatively clear group dominated the podiums. The analysed results show a total of 108 podium finishes, with Poland leading the way with 24. Russia was close behind with 22.
They were followed by South Africa with 13 podium finishes, Lithuania with 11, Ukraine with 9, while Slovakia and Estonia recorded 8 each.
The figures may appear dry at first glance. Yet it is precisely the relationship between them that reveals an important point: the country with the most podium finishes did not necessarily have the most champions.
Five Champions for Lithuania
From this perspective, Lithuania’s result is particularly interesting.
Of Lithuania’s 11 podium finishes, 5 were first places, 4 were second places and 2 were third places.
That means that almost every second Lithuanian podium finish was a victory.
Poland, meanwhile, had the highest total number of podium finishes — 24 — and won 6 categories. Russia, with 22 podium finishes, recorded 8 first-place finishes.
Thus, the strength of the Lithuanian delegation lay not in quantity, but in the concentration of top-level results.
Lithuanian Names Appeared Across Different Categories
It is also interesting that Lithuania’s victories were not concentrated in a single discipline.
Aušra Tasiukevičiūtė and Eglė Girtavičiūtė took first place in the “Model Fitness” category.
In strength fitness, Nikita Butylkinas won the junior category, while Vytautas Juknevičius took first place in the senior division.
Another top result in the older athletes’ category was achieved by Vidmantas Malakauskas.
This is an important detail: Lithuanian representatives competed successfully across different sporting disciplines rather than in just one specific bodybuilding category.
Poland Led in Podium Finishes, Russia in First-Place Results
If the championship results table were turned into a kind of sporting map, two countries would clearly stand out at the top — Poland and Russia.
Poland recorded the highest number of podium finishes — 24. Its athletes were particularly visible across various age groups and disciplines.
Russian representatives reached the podium 22 times, but on 8 occasions they took first place.
This was especially evident in the WBBF bodybuilding categories. Russian athletes’ names appear repeatedly throughout the results protocol in various bodybuilding divisions, ranging from classic categories to more extreme disciplines.
At the same time, the Polish athletes’ performance was broader, covering different age groups and disciplines.
The Youngest Championship Participants — Another Important Signal
The Tallinn competition was not simply a celebration of adult bodybuilding.
The programme devoted considerable attention to children and young athletes. In the “Fit-Kid” categories, athletes aged 8, 10, 12 and 14 competed.
Poland was particularly prominent in these events. Its representatives won several of the youngest categories, while in some age groups Polish athletes occupied both first and second place.
In the junior categories, Lithuania, Slovakia, Ukraine and Estonia also joined the leading group.
This allows us to look at the 2009 championship as more than just a competition from a single season. The results also reveal how, at the time, federation sports systems were being developed across different age groups — from children to veterans.
One Athlete — Several Stages
The results protocol also includes athletes who successfully competed in more than one category.
For example, Slovak representative Miriama Zigalova won two different categories. Eva Martinkova also appeared on the winners’ list in more than one event.
This is an important consideration when evaluating the statistics: 108 podium finishes do not mean 108 different athletes. Some athletes may have been awarded in multiple categories.
Therefore, the results table tells us not only about the strength of national delegations, but also about the versatility of individual athletes.
WFF and WBBF — Two Different Faces of the Championship
Another interesting trend emerges when the WFF and WBBF programmes are analysed separately.
In the WFF section, Poland was the most prominent nation, with its representatives collecting 18 podium finishes. Lithuania had 7, while Slovakia recorded 6.
In the WBBF section, the situation changed. Russia stood out most clearly, with its athletes taking 21 of the analysed podium places.
Thus, the Tallinn championship essentially had two different faces in terms of results: Poland and Lithuania were particularly prominent in fitness, model and related disciplines, while Russian representatives were much more dominant in bodybuilding.
Where Does Lithuania Fit Into This Story?
More than 15 years later, the 2009 results can be viewed as one of the notable moments in the history of Lithuanian fitness and bodybuilding.
Lithuania did not arrive in Tallinn with the largest delegation. Yet its name appears eleven times in the results table — and five of those appearances are at the very top.
It was a performance in which Lithuanian athletes were not merely competing for places in the finals. They were winning.
11 Lithuanian podium finishes. 5 first places. 28 countries. 263 athletes.
Today, these figures allow us to look at the 2009 Tallinn championship as more than an old competition results sheet. It is a snapshot of a period when Central and Eastern European countries were actively shaping the international fitness and bodybuilding competition landscape, and Lithuania was clearly visible on that map.
In Tallinn in 2009, there were fewer Lithuanian athletes than representatives of some of the larger nations, but their results in the official record were more than enough to keep Lithuania among the championship’s leading countries.
