He began his journey in judo at the age of seven in Japan. His grandfather's judo school inspired him to take up the sport. Known by the nickname "Hiro," he has a preferred technique called Seoinage.

| Season | Event | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Men 60kg | G Gold |
| 2000 | Men 60kg | G Gold |
| 1996 | Men 60kg | G Gold |
In mid-May 2007, he ruptured ligaments in his right knee. This injury occurred just before the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro. Despite needing surgery, he chose to compete, avoiding a six-month recovery period.
He enjoys sleeping, playing pachinko machines, and driving. He always wears blue underwear as part of his pre-competition rituals. He is related to Toyokazu Nomura, a 1974 Olympic gold medallist and fellow judoka.
After retiring from competitive judo, he plans to become a judo coach. If he wins a gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, he will join Al Oerter, Carl Lewis, and Paul Elvstrom as one of only four athletes to win four Olympic gold medals in the same event.
He began his journey in judo at the age of seven in Japan. His grandfather's judo school inspired him to take up the sport. Known by the nickname "Hiro," he has a preferred technique called Seoinage.