He won the All-Japan Selected judo championships for the first time in three years (fourth total win) in April, 2003 to advance to the 2003 World Judo Championships where he made a disappointing bronze medal finish. He won the Japanese nationals for the second consecutive year (fifth total win) in April, 2004, which enabled him to seek an unprecedented third consecutive olympic gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
He secured the All-Japan Selected judo championships for the first time in three years (fourth total triumph) in April, 2003 to qualify for the 2003 World Judo Championships where he made a disappointing bronze medal finish. He won the Japanese nationals for the second consecutive year (fifth total victory) in April, 2004, which allowed him to aim for an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.