 Ramba uchinyora ndima iyi - Mumwaka wake wokupedzisira wokukwikwidza, Watanabe akahwina ndarama paNHK Trophy muna 1979 uye akazohwina zita rake rechisere renyika. Akava wechitanhatu mumitambo yeOlympic ya1980. Akagumisa basa rake rokukwikwidza pa 1980 World Championships, kwaakawana nzvimbo yechina. 