His most influential person in his career has been Coach Haruya Mochida. Outside of judo, he enjoys weightlifting, which complements his training regimen. These influences have shaped his approach to the sport and contributed to his achievements.

Injuries and Challenges

He has faced several injuries throughout his career. In 2022, neck and shoulder injuries forced him to withdraw from the All-Japan Selected Championships. In 2019, he injured his left index finger during training, requiring six weeks of recovery. He also had to withdraw from the 2017 Grand Slam event in Tokyo due to injury.

In 2009, an injury prevented him from competing at the National Championships in Japan. Despite these setbacks, he has continued to persevere and achieve success in judo.

Awards and Honours

He has received numerous awards and honours throughout his career. In 2019, he was given the Tokyo Sports Journalists Club Award of the Year in Japan. He also received the Big Sports Special Award at the 54th Asahi TV Big Sports Awards in January 2019.

In 2016, he was named Male Judoka of the Year by the International Judo Federation (IJF). He also received several regional awards, including the Tokyo-to Citizen Sports Grand Award, Nara Prefecture Citizen Honorary Award, and Yamaguchi Prefecture Sports Honorary Award.

Time Abroad

In March 2023, he announced that he would spend two years training judo instructors in England. He stated, "I made this decision because I wanted to make myself suffer again. I want to become an international human resource through judo." This move highlights his dedication to both personal growth and the development of judo globally.

Thoughts on Paris Olympics

Despite winning back-to-back gold medals in the 73kg category at the Olympic Games in 2016 and 2021, he remains undecided about defending his title at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. He said, "Sometimes I think it's okay to finish judo as it is, but I think I'll continue it because there are some tournaments where I still want to compete."

He added that aiming for the next Olympics is not easy. His first goal is to stand on the tatami mat wearing the judogi properly. From there, he will assess his feelings about continuing.

Traditional Style

After winning gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, he took a one-year break from judo. During this time, he studied the osoto-gari technique as part of his thesis at Tenri University Graduate School in Japan. He discovered that his osoto-gari technique follows an old judo style.

He expressed pride in maintaining traditional Japanese judo while applying modern rules since middle school. He confirmed that his beliefs about judo were correct and meaningful.

This journey reflects a blend of tradition and modernity, showcasing his commitment to preserving judo's heritage while adapting to contemporary standards.