Though hailing from the same town as the two-time World Sprint Champion, Toshiyuki Kuroiwa is not related to his namesake Akira Kuroiwa. He had his breakthrough season in 1991, winning a bronze in the World Sprints, three World Cup races and two titles at the Winter Universiade. A consistent top performer in 1992, he won a silver medal in the Olympic 500 m, while repeating his third place in the World Sprint Championships. In addition, Kuroiwa finished second in both the 500 and 1000 m World Cups that season. After these top years, Kuroiwa fell out of the top sprint ranks, and was surpassed by other Japanese sprinters. An ankle injury marred his appearance in the 1994 Olympics. His career had a slight revival in 1997/1998, as the first Japanese to try out the clap skates, and qualifying for the Olympics in Nagano. Following his retirement in 2002, he became a speed skating coach.
Personal Bests: 500 – 35.42 (2002); 1000 – 1:10.16 (2001); 1500 – 1:53.34 (1998); 5000 – 7:57.89 (1987); 10000 – 16:11.32 (1986).
Japan