Pedzisa mutsara unotevera: Mumwaka wake wokupedzisira wokukwikwidzana, Watanabe akahwina ndarama paNHK Trophy ya1979 uye ipapo akahwina zita rake rechisere renyika. Akava wechitanhatu mumitambo yeOlympic ya1980. Akagumisa basa rake rokukwikwidza pa
1980 World Championships, apo akaisa 4th.