The 28-year-old triumphed in the under-73 kilogram event at Rio 2016 and was set to defend his Olympic title in front of a home crowd this year. 

He will have to wait until next year however, with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games postponed until July 23 to August 8 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite this, Ono revealed he viewed the wait as a positive. 

"I'll save my energy until the time comes," he said, as reported by Kyodo News. 

"This time allows me to change and evolve so I'm thinking of it as a plus."

Ono is not able to practice judo due to restrictive measures put in place in Japan in an attempt to contain the pandemic. 

There are now more than 8,100 cases of coronavirus in the country, with nearly 150 deaths. 

Instead, Ono is focusing on running and core circuit training.

"Judo practice is tough and painful, but it's also hard not being able to practice," he said.

Ono was selected for the Olympic team by the All Japan Judo Federation in February. 

He also has three world titles to his name, having triumphed in 2013, 2015 and 2019. 

His title last year came in front of a home crowd at Nippon Budokan in the Japanese capital.