WHO IS FIRST?
You can argue a lot about who was the founder of bodybuilding in the World. The fact that it is not America and not Wader (as long time was told by his propaganda) – is an undeniable fact. Then there is a natural question: so who??
Personally, we are closest to the theory confirmed by irrefutable historical facts that this is Latvia and the world’s first athletic society of RIGAER, founded in 1890. At least, nothing earlier, we could not find in any Country (the following dates: Greece and Austria – 1893 and 1895).
Do you have something to refute these facts? Well, if these are really historical facts, and not fairy tales about stones raised by someone.
But so far there are no such facts (and most likely they will not be at all – they simply have nowhere to take: almost everything has been known for a long time), then we recognize the obvious and pay tribute to our very first bodybuilders from a small place on the World map – Latvia:
Badge of the Latvian Athletic Society RIGAER, 1890:
The first mention (which we managed to find) about the competition of bodybuilders held in Latvia:
The first bodybuilders of Latvia:
1897 Olgerd Edelman
1898 Eduards Ulpe
1908 Willy Schreiners. Many modern athletes will envy such a chic triceps:
American magazines inspired us that the “HP” pose was first thought up by the American Harold Poole in the early 70s of the last century.
But look at the photo of Arthur Zadats. Latvians, demonstrated this pose, at the beginning of the last century.
1910 Arthur Zadat
1906 Karlis Mikuls. Can anyone show at least one photo of the beginning of the last century, so brilliantly performed with the pose “double biceps in front”?
1909 Karlis Matisons
1910 Karlis Freibergs. Dubbed by the American propaganda “the first bodybuilder of the World” Eugen Sandow, looks skinny young man, next to his contemporaries-bodybuilders from Latvia. For example, such as Karlis Freibergs.
In addition, there is not a single bodybuilding pose, supposedly shown by the “first bodybuilder”.
1908 Klemeus Amevira
1911 Klemens Buls.
Our famous athlete from Ludza, Klemens Buls, not only winning numerous competitions of bodybuilders, but also was the greatest wrestler. For example, he won all fights at “champion of Champions” Ivan Poddubny.
Despite the fact that he weighed 20 kg less.
1913 Georg Baumans
1914 Plume Janis
1914 Ludwig Alens
1921 Janis Krauze, possessed great physical strength and is the author of many world records in weight lifting:
1924 athlete from Rezekne – Moishe Posman
1932 – Arvids Jurmaletis
More information about the first bodybuilders and power athletes of Latvia here