Background
He was born in Ōmuta, Fukuoka, and began judo at the age of a first grader.
園田 隆二
He was born in Ōmuta, Fukuoka, and began judo at the age of a first grader.
Meiji University.
After graduating from Meiji University, he entered the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. Sonoda retired from competition in 2004. By 2009, he coached All-Japan women"s judo team before announcing his resignation on January 31, 2013 following accusations of physical abuse by team members.