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Akira Kuroiwa (born September 6, 1961 in Tsumagoi, Gunma) is a former ice 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 placed 10th in the men's 500 .^[1][2][3]

Kuroiwa was a coach for the Japanese team during the 1998 Winter Olympics.

In Japan, Kuroiwa made headlines in 1999 when he tried to shield Daisuke Matsuzaka from an illegal driving charge by taking the blame for himself.^[4]

References

1. ^ DatabaseOlympics
2. ^ Speed skater Shimizu win's Japan's first Olympic gold
3. ^ SkateResults
4. ^ Coming to America