 After graduating from Tsurumaki junior high school he continued on to Setagaya Gakuen senior high school.In 1998, while in third grade at Setagaya Gakuen, he led his school’s judo team to victory in the final match against Kokushikan senior high school’s team by accomplishing, for the first time in history, a four man in a row victory during the Kinshuki High School Judo Tournament.Individually, having won both the All-Japan High School Judo Championships as well as the Inter-High Tournament, he is also the youngest ever winner of the Kano Jigoro Cup.