Shigeru Sugita, Kozo Sudo and Emoto Masashi

The sensational Japanese trio that took the London NABBA Mr. Universe by storm in 1976 captured on film as they oil each other, pump up and pose. Three champions solo and group posing in the classy atmosphere of London’s Hyde Park Square, filmed on the very day of the 1976 Mr. Universe. This unique occasion and superb posing display will never be duplicated. The shoot actually stopped traffic with people lined up along the fences of the private square, watching this photography take place. It was incredible.

SHIGERU SUGITA, a Mr. Japan, won the overall 1976 Mr. Universe title. The superstar of the session. Pictured on the left above.

Remembering NABBA Legend Shigeru Sugita – RIP

Japanese bodybuilding star of the 1970’s, Shigeru Sugita, passed away on the 13th of April, 2025 aged 78. His death was from natural causes.

I had the privilege of witnessing and recording his victory at the 1976 NABBA Universe in London where he won the Overall NABBA Amateur Mr Universe title that year. He is the only Japanese bodybuilder to claim a NABBA Universe title.

On the next day I arranged a photo and film posing session with Sugita and his fellow Japanese competitors, along with his fellow countrymen and competitors Kozo Sudo and Masashi Enomoto. As usual I used the private garden area of London’s Hyde Park Square. The shoot attracted a crowd of on-lookers around the perimeter fence of the square, watching the shoot with these three Asian champions.

Shigeru Sugita later competed with great success in the IFBB. His last major pro show was the 1985’s IFBB Night of Champions where he did not make the top 10.  He will always be remembered for his elegant posing, wonderful shape, great condition and those wonderful diamond-shaped calves. (read the full article).

You can see the PHOTO GALLERIES from that post-Universe shoot here.

KOZO SUDO, 1975 Mr. Japan, won the medium height class, and placed second to Sugita for the overall title. Pictured on the right above.

ENOMOTO MASASHI – an extraordinary young, ripped bodybuilder with a superb posing routine. See red trunks below. (Japanese segment approx 24 mins).

Ashober and Columbu

KLAUS ASCHOBER – 1975 Mr. Germany works out in the gym. Then outdoor oiling, pumping and posing. In this film, Klaus is featured in an intense gym workout as he works various muscle groups, and flexes to a full pump after each set. His favourite arm exercise was hammer curls on the incline bench. Klaus is in top contest condition, hard and shredded. This German segment took place thanks to the help of Wilfried Dubbels.  The posing segment was shot on the edge of a forest near the outskirts of Munich on September 15th, 1975. Klaus is pictured top left rear cover above. (approx 21 mins).

Aschober photo gallery

FRANCO COLUMBU – exhibition strength feats and posing routine. Rare footage of Franco doing bench press, deadlift and strength stunts. Franco (pictured rear cover) won the Mr. Olympia title in 1976 and 1981 and in 2009 received the Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award. (approx 12 mins).

 Columbu Photo Gallery

All segments were shot on film, transferred to video, then digitally remastered to DVD with music added. This is our first ever feature showcasing Asian bodybuilding champions.
Photos by Wayne Gallasch, copyright Wayne & GMV Productions.