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Kōrero: Bodybuilding, weightlifting and powerlifting

Eugen Sandow, 1902

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Eugen Sandow, 1902

Prussian strongman Eugen Sandow toured the world, drawing huge crowds to see his muscular form and feats of strength. He maintained that his body and strength were developed through a system of exercises that anyone could follow. This photograph was taken on his 1902–3 tour of New Zealand. Even before he visited, gyms teaching the 'Sandow system' were opening up around the country.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Alexander Turnbull Library, Herman John Schmidt Collection (PAColl-3059)

Reference: 1/1-001835-G

by Herman John Schmidt

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Peter Clayworth, Bodybuilding, weightlifting and powerlifting – Bodybuilding, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/40875/eugen-sandow-1902 (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Peter Clayworth, i tāngia i te 19 February 2013, updated 27 January 2015.