Akira Kuroiwa

Akira Kuroiwa
Personal information
Born (1961-09-06) 6 September 1961 (age 63)
Tsumagoi, Gunma, Japan
Sport
Country Japan
SportSpeed skating
Medal record
Men's speed skating
Representing  Japan
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1988 Calgary 500 metres
World Sprint Championships
Gold medal – first place 1983 Helsinki Sprint
Gold medal – first place 1987 Sainte Foy Sprint
Bronze medal – third place 1986 Karuizawa Sprint
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 1986 Sapporo 500 metres
Bronze medal – third place 1986 Sapporo 1000 metres

Akira Kuroiwa (黒岩 彰, Kuroiwa Akira, born 6 September 1961) is a former speed skater from Japan, who represented his native country at two consecutive Winter Olympics, starting in 1984 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. In 1988, he won the bronze medal in the men's 500 metres, after having captured two world titles at the Sprints Championships (1983 and 1987). At the 1984 Winter Olympics, Kuroiwa finished 10th in the men's 500 m.[1][2][3]

Kuroiwa, who was born in Tsumagoi, Gunma, was a coach for the Japanese team during the 1998 Winter Olympics.

In Japan, Kuroiwa made headlines in 2000 when he tried to shield Daisuke Matsuzaka from an illegal driving charge by taking the blame for himself.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Akira Kuroiwa". databaseOlympics.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2006.
  2. ^ "Speed skater Shimizu win's Japan's first Olympic gold". shinmai.co.jp. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2007.
  3. ^ "SkateResults". skateresults.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 30 November 2006.
  4. ^ "Coming to America". nydailynews.com. Archived from the original on 8 January 2007. Retrieved 10 January 2007.