Junichi INOUE

A virtual nobody, Junichi Inoue burst onto the international speed skating scene in 1992, winning the 500 m bronze in Albertville. He confirmed his status in 1994, placing third in the World Sprint Championships. While better known as a 500 m racer, two of Inoue's World Cup wins came in the 1000 m, both in Innsbruck 1996. Still one of Japan's top sprinters, Inoue was disappointed to miss the Nagano Games. He retired after the 2000 season.

Personal Bests: 500 – 35.13 (2000); 1000 – 1:09.79 (1999); 1500 – 1:50.44 (1999); 5000 – 8:43.76 (1989).