Nishiyama finished third along with Greece’s Ilias Iliadis in the men’s 90 kilograms competition at the event thanks to a repechage victory over Kirill Denisov of Russia.

Since his podium finish at the Games, the 30-year has struggled with several injuries.

Following a shock second-round exit at the 2013 World Judo Championships, held in Olympic host city Rio de Janeiro, Nishiyama underwent major knee surgery in 2014.

His comeback did not quite go to plan as he was again beaten in the second round in his first event since the surgery, November's Kodokan Cup, and further disappointment followed as he failed to earn a spot on the Japanese judo team for Rio 2016. 

“I feel proud to have been able to compete against my world rivals on such a high level as the Olympics,” he said in a statement released by Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal.

Due to not being selected to represent his nation at Rio 2016, Nishiyama had hinted at the prospect that he might choose to retire without formally bringing his career to an end.

He revealed he would take a step away from professional judo,  while still carrying on with his training regime, despite missing out on the Olympics.

Nishiyama was also originally not chosen on the Japan squad for London 2012 after he lost in the quarter-finals of the selection competition but justified his eventual selection by sealing bronze.

His medal at London 2012 was one of seven achieved by Japanese Judokas at the event.

Kaori Matsumoto was the country's sole gold medallist as she triumphed in the women’s under 57kg weight category by beating Corina Căprioriu of Romania.

Japan also won a further two bronze as well as three silver.