Toshinobu Kawai is a two-time overall World Champion in short-track, claiming the 1985 and 1987 title. He shared the latter withMichel Daignault of Canada. In addition, Kawai captured distance titles in the 1,000 m (1985, 1987) and 3,000 m (1986). With the Japanese relay squad, he furthermore won gold in 1985 and 1992, adding bronzes in 1983 and 1986. His Olympic career started in Calgary 1988, with short track still a demonstration sport. Four years later, Kawai and the Japanese relay team reached the final, eventually earning a bronze medal. It was the end of Kawai’s career, who now works at his alma mater, Tsukuba University.