Remembering Shigeru Sugita – NABBA Legend: R.I.P.
by Wayne Gallasch
Japanese bodybuilding star of the 1970’s, Shigeru Sugita, who is considered one of the most influential sportsmen in his field has died. He passed away on the 13th of April, 2025 aged 78 from natural causes.
Shigeru Sugita first came to notice when he won the 1972 Mr Japan title. In 1975 he competed in the NABBA Universe in Short Class 3. He placed second behind Ian Lawrence of Scotland. That was an extremely good opening Universe result seeing that Ian Lawrence won the Overall NABBA Amateur Mr Universe title that year.
I was there filming the event every year in the 1970’s, and in 1975 I had a strong feeling that if Sugita returned in 1976 he would probably win the overall title. So it proved to be.
I had the privilege of witnessing and recording Sugita’s victory at the 1976 NABBA Universe in London where he won the Overall NABBA Amateur Mr Universe title that year.
After Sugita won the Mr Universe title in 1976, his incredible calves were a point of discussion and comment by Arnold. He was said to be incredibly impressed by the shape and size of Sugita’s calves. When asked about this, Sugita said that he was born that way. You could say that he was genetically gifted.
After Sugita’s Universe victory, I immediately booked him and his 2 fellow Japanese competitors Sudo and Masashi for a film and photo shoot next day at my home base location of Hyde Park Square. I knew there was a language difficulty and so I also booked a Japanese language speaker to be present at the shoot. The rest is history, as described above. At that shoot, it was the only time I have ever had a large group of inquisitive spectators, lined up around the fence of this private garden square. No doubt intrigued and mesmerised by the action unfolding in front of them!
This made him the first Japanese competitor to win the Overall Mr Universe competition, and to become a national hero for his achievement. In 1975 Sugita’s friend Kozo Sudo took out the Class 2 NABBA Universe title. In the July 1977 issue of Iron Man magazine, my photo of these 2 winners appeared on the front cover.
In 1976 Kozo Sudo again won his Class, Medium Class 2 beating the great Bertil Fox. The third Japanese champion that year, Emoto Masashi, just missed the top 6 in his class.
One of Sugita’s coaches was the Legendary Bill Pearl, who also coached Chris Dickerson when he won the Mr Olympia title in 1982.
Shigeru Sugita later competed with great success in the IFBB. It was 5 years later at the 1981 IFBB Mr. International that Sugita tasted victory again.
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.
