in seventh grade, at age 12, ninomiya began training in a judo class taught by a teacher at his junior high school. he earned his first degree black belt by the end of eighth grade. after turning 14, ninomiya did extra judo training at the local police station gym on weekends and holidays. it was there that he met the man who would become his teacher and mentor in karate- hideyuki ashihara. one year later, in 1969, ninomiya began training in ashihara's kyokushin dojo.