Shohei Ono’s journey to becoming a dominant force in international judo was forged during six grueling years at Kodogakusha, a boarding-school style private dojo where the young athlete struggled just to survive the daily workload, according to recent interviews published across Japanese sports media. Moving from Yamaguchi to Tokyo as a small-framed middle schooler, Ono recalled spending his first three years in the program unable to see any path toward future success.
During his middle school years at Kodogakusha, Ono faced an uphill battle against older and more established peers. Surrounded by elite contemporaries including his own brother and future standout Masashi Ebinuma, Ono sat near the bottom of the roster. Editorial coverage from THE ANSWER and related reports highlighted how the young athlete spent entire days simply surviving the sheer volume of training and massive caloric intake required to strengthen his internal organs. Despite a complete lack of early competitive success, that rigorous regimen built the physical and mental toughness required for his later career.
The Turning Point Under Toshiya Mochida in High School
The pivotal shift in Ono’s career arrived when he transitioned from middle school to high school, a juncture that allowed him to train directly alongside older student-athletes under the watchful eye of Toshiya Mochida. Reporting indicates that moving into Mochida’s immediate sphere of influence increased the competitive tension and pushed Ono to establish his signature judo style. Under Mochida, who served as coach at Setagaya Gakuen High School, Ono earned a regular spot on the squad for the Kinshuki High School Judo Tournament as a freshman and captured the Inter-High School Men’s 73kg division title as a sophomore.
Mastering the O-soto-gari Through Repetition and a Blank Slate
While Ono initially leaned on the Uchimata technique popularized by his brother Tetsuya, Mochida pushed him to master the O-soto-gari. Ono executed up to 1,000 repetitions of the technique daily in practice to ingrain the movement into his muscle memory, though he initially struggled to translate those practice repetitions into real match scenarios. Reflecting on why Mochida selected him for that specific technical path, Ono later asked his former coach directly. According to verified interviews, Mochida responded that Ono was simply a blank canvas—a pure athlete who trusted his instruction without hesitation.
Surrounded by Olympic Legends in a High-Stakes Training Environment
Even as his skills developed rapidly, Ono maintained his humility due to the steady stream of elite alumni visiting the Kodogakusha dojo. Among them was Makoto Takimoto, who frequently coached the younger athletes. Ono recalled a moment shortly after arriving at the boarding school as a middle schooler when he locked eyes with Takimoto during practice and was selected for the opening randori session. That daily proximity to world-class talent, combined with chores like washing Takimoto’s judo uniform, reinforced an environment that accelerated his rise in the sport.
