30-04-2025
Legendary 'Mr Japan' bodybuilder champion Shigeru Sugita whose calves were the envy of Arnold Schwarzenegger dies aged 78
The champion bodybuilder Shigeru Sugita, who is considered one of the most influential sportsmen in his field, has died aged 78.
Winning the Mr Universe title in 1976, the bodybuilder's calves were said to have been a source of jealousy for internationally renowned hunk Arnold Schwarzenegger.
When he was asked what his secret was to flaunting such enviable calves, Mr Sugita said 'there's nothing to explain. I was born with these calves,' it was reported in Tokyo Sports.
His quick-witted remark left The Terminator star speechless and became an iconic story among bodybuilding circles.
Mr Sugita is said to have passed away from natural causes on April 13 and was buried the next day.
After finding initial success nationally and being crowned Mr Japan in 1972, the bodybuilder went on to establish himself globally as one of the best.
He became the first Japanese man to win the Mr Universe competition, only for his admirer, Mr Schwarzenegger, to win the same competition a year later.
When Mr Sugita was given his title, he posed for photos with his two fellow contestants and country men, Masashi Enomoto and Kozo Sudo, in Hyde Park but caused quite the ruckus for passerbys.
It is said that hoards of people were lining up along the fence to watch them strike a pose.
Another career highlight would come five years later at the 1981 IFBB Mr. International (middleweight) competition where he would go on to win the competition thanks to his bulging muscles.
Mr Sugita also trained under Bill Pearl, the five-time Mr Universe champion who was named 'World's Best-Built Man of the Century', at his famous Old School gym in Pasadena, California.
After he retired from competing, Mr Sugita opened his own gym in Jyobashi, Osaka and trained bodybuilders, sumo wrestlers, and professional wrestlers.
His gym have now been taken over by Osaka Pro-Wrestling Zeus, who said they 'want to continue to pass on the spirit of Shigeru Sugita, Japan's only bodybuilding world champion'.
Schwarzenegger was left speechless after the bodybuilder said 'there's nothing to explain. I was born with these calves'
Tributes from distraught fans all over the world have been pouring in, with one paying homing to his 'incredible physique for his day' and his skill as a 'very creatively dramatic poser'.
Another wrote 'that is sad to hear..I competed along side of Shiguru & Kozo in the 70's in the NABBA Mr Universe…great physics…R.I.P. Shiguru...'.
