Aussie Powerhouse Masa Yamaguchi to play Satoshi Shingaki
Acclaimed Japanese-Australian actor, stunt performer, and fight coordinator Masa Yamaguchi has officially joined the cast of Fenech as Satoshi Shingaki, the formidable Japanese world champion who faced Jeff Fenech in two defining bouts of the 1980s. The role unites Yamaguchi’s dramatic range with his extensive physical and fight-training experience—bringing authenticity to a story grounded in sporting intensity and cross-cultural respect.
Biography
Born in London to Japanese parents and raised between Japan and Australia, Masa Yamaguchi trained at Sydney’s National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)—becoming its first Japanese graduate. His career spans more than 25 years across film, television, and theatre, distinguished by his ability to balance nuanced character work with the physical demands of large-scale action filmmaking.
Yamaguchi has appeared in and coordinated stunts for some of the biggest international productions of the last two decades, seamlessly bridging Hollywood blockbusters and Australian prestige dramas.
Major Hollywood & International Highlights
**Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) – ** Appeared as a Galactic Senator (uncredited) in George Lucas’s global phenomenon, which grossed over US $900 million.
**The Great Raid (2005) – ** Played Lt. Hikobe in the World War II epic starring Benjamin Bratt and Joseph Fiennes.
**The Condemned (2007) – ** Portrayed Saiga opposite Vinnie Jones and Steve Austin in the action thriller shot in Queensland.
**The Wolverine (2013) – ** Joined Hugh Jackman as part of the Yakuza fight unit in the US$414 million-grossing Marvel film directed by James Mangold.
**The Railway Man (2013) – ** Acted opposite Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman in the acclaimed adaptation of Eric Lomax’s memoir.
**Hacksaw Ridge (2016) – ** Served as stunt performer under director Mel Gibson and star Andrew Garfield; the film earned two Academy Awards and grossed US $180 million worldwide.
**Ghost in the Shell (2017) – ** Featured alongside Scarlett Johansson in Paramount’s live-action re-imagining of the cyberpunk classic.
**Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) – ** Contributed stunt work to Marvel Studios’ first Asian-led superhero blockbuster, which grossed US $432 million globally.
**Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) – ** Performed as a stunt actor with Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth in George Miller’s highly praised prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road (worldwide gross US $174 million).
**Land of Bad (2024) – ** Worked alongside Russell Crowe and the Hemsworth brothers in this Australian-American military thriller.
Embodying Satoshi Shingaki
In Fenech, Yamaguchi brings to life Satoshi Shingaki, the Okinawan champion whose duels with Jeff Fenech became a cornerstone of Australian boxing history. His combination of disciplined physicality, bilingual background, and on-screen gravitas makes him the ideal performer to capture the humility and resilience of the Japanese fighter who helped shape one of sport’s greatest rivalries.
“Masa Yamaguchi is the perfect fit to play Satoshi Shingaki because he brings the rare combination this role demands: dramatic truth, cultural authenticity, and absolute physical credibility. Shingaki isn’t just an opponent in Jeff’s story—he’s a world champion with pride, discipline, and heart. Masa understands that, and he has the ability to portray Shingaki as a complete human being, not a stereotype or a ‘foil’.”
“Masa and I first worked together over several months on the acclaimed mini series Moby Dick—that’s where we met. Even back then, it was obvious to me that Masa was a pure professional. He shows up prepared, focused, calm under pressure, and completely committed to the work. That level of discipline isn’t something you can fake; it comes from a lifetime spent honing his craft.”
“What excites me most is that Masa doesn’t just have the screen presence and performance chops—he has the technical mastery to make the boxing feel world class. His background in stunt work, fight coordination, and action performance means he understands rhythm, timing, realism, and story inside choreography. That’s exactly why I wanted him for this role.”
“I’m genuinely thrilled to be making this film with Masa. I know he has every skill necessary to deliver the fight scenes at the highest level, and—more importantly—to honour Satoshi Shingaki with the respect and authenticity he deserves.” — Matt Norman, Director
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