In 1935 at age 18 he became the youngest ever godan (5th degree black belt) when he defeated eight consecutive opponents at Kodokan (headquarters for the main governing body of Judo).
1935. sa 18 godina postaje najmlađi 5. dan kada je dobio 8 protivnika uzastopno u Kodokanu (glavno sjedište vodećeg tijela Juda).