ninomiya returned to new york and prepared for the next year's all-japan tournament. at the tournament, his quarter-final match went to three overtimes before he was awarded the decision. his semi-final match went two overtimes before he was again awarded the decision. extremely fatigued, ninomiya had only 10-minutes to rest and prepare for the final match against toshikazu satō which satō won. ninomiya returned to new york to resume teaching and training.