Kumiko Koiwai

Kumiko Koiwai (小岩井 久美子, Koiwai Kumiko, born June 27, 1975) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She is the 1993 World Junior champion,[1] 1992 NHK Trophy silver medalist, 1997 Winter Universiade champion, and a three-time Japan national bronze medalist.

Kumiko Koiwai
Born (1975-06-27) June 27, 1975
Ōbu, Japan
Figure skating career
CountryJapan
Retired1997
Medal record
Representing  Japan
Figure skating: Ladies' singles
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place1993 SeoulLadies' singles
Winter Universiade
Gold medal – first place 1997 MujuLadies' singles
Bronze medal – third place 1995 JacaLadies' singles

Skating career

Koiwai finished 8th at the 1992 World Junior Championships in Hull, Quebec, Canada. At the 1993 Junior Worlds in Seoul, she placed first in both segments and was awarded the gold medal ahead of Lisa Ervin and Tanja Szewczenko.

Coached by Machiko Yamada, who had trained Midori Ito, Koiwai was routinely landing the triple Axel jump by 1994. However, she faced several chronic injuries of her right foot, which severely impeded her efforts.

In 1995, she made her only appearance at the senior World Championships, finishing 16th. In 1997, she won gold at the Winter Universiade and then retired from competition.

Later life

Koiwai graduated from Tokai Women's College near her hometown, Nagoya. She now works as a programming director for Tōkai Television in Japan.

Competitive highlights
International
Event 91–92 92–93 93–94 94–95 95–96 96–97
Worlds16th
NHK Trophy2nd5th8th
Universiade2nd1st
International: Junior
Junior Worlds8th1st
National
Japan Champ.3rd3rd3rd6th4th
Japan Jr. Champ1st2nd

References
  1. "World Junior Figure Skating Championships Results: Ladies" (PDF). International Skating Union. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 29, 2008.
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