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 achieved the All-Japan Selected judo championships for the first time in three years (fourth overall win) in April, 2003, which enabled him to participate in the 2003 World Judo Championships where he finished with a disappointing bronze medal. He successfully defended his Japanese nationals title for the second consecutive year (fifth total victory) in April, 2004, setting him up to attempt an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic gold at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.