The John Koziura story by Wayne Gallasch
I knew John from the time when he first started in bodybuilding competitions as a teenager. That was in Adelaide South Australia, in the 1960’s. He was the son of Polish immigrants who settled in Adelaide after WW 11. He was blessed with the good bodybuilding genes so typical of many Polish people. He grew muscle very fast and very easily. One of the reasons that I never wrote an article on John for the magazines was that I felt that I still had lots of time. I also felt that John had not reached his peak by winning a national title. From 1973 onwards I sponsored John with supplements through our Protein company called Nutra-Life. I also managed to get John on the cover of 2 overseas magazines. You can see those covers in the new PHOTO GALLERIES on John.
In 1982 his life was cut short when John Mark Koziura died on 28 September, aged 36 years, in a tragic and horrific traffic accident. John was doing security work when the security van he was in caught fire after an accident and john was trapped in the rear. It was a tragic end to his life and his promising career that had already produced 10 victories over 12 years at the South Australian State Bodybuilding Championships. See his state record below. This record of 10 state titles will probably never be beaten. John loved competing. On the national scene he placed 3rd several times behind champions such as Frank Colombera and Paul Graham. In 1972 John placed 3rd in the Mr Australia and 3rd in the 1972 IFBB Southern Hemisphere Mr. Universe. John also competed in the 1980 IFBB Amateur Mr Universe in Manila, Philippines. He was unplaced.
A short history.
In 1963 the “Mr. South Australia” title was formally instituted by Ron Modra who, at that time, had set up a privately run gym in the S.A. Youth Clubs Incorporated (later to become the St. Clair Youth Centre). Ron represented Australia in Olympic Lifting. Two weeks prior to the show, Norm Harrison took over responsibility for the contest, and management of the gym in the S.A.Y.C. Centre. By the following year the first committee had been formed, consisting of: Mike De George (President), Norm Harrison (Secretary), Peter McNally (Treasurer) and John Davis, (Superintendent of judges).
Over the years, venues have changed from hotels and YMCA’s to the convention centre to town halls, while judges have changed from invited guests to a qualified judging panel.
Since 1963, some incredible bodybuilders, both male and female have won these state titles, with many going on to represent Australia overseas. In 2001 Terri Roberts from Adelaide went from being state champion to winning Figure Class 2 at the NABBA Universe in UK.
1971 John Koziura
1972 Norm Harrison
1973 John Koziura
1974 John Koziura
1975 Wayne Thompson
1976 John Koziura
1977 John Koziura
1978 John Koziura
1979 John Koziura
1980 John Koziura
1981 John Koziura
1982 John Koziura
John is buried at the Cheltenham Cemetery in Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, several miles from where he grew up.