When Australian BMX rider Saya Sakakibara secured gold in Paris, she did it with her brother’s number adorning her bike and her heart. He is now on a path to forge his own redemption story following a life-threatening incident.
Saya’s return to BMX is a powerful testament to her resilience and love for her brother, Kai.
In 2020, disaster struck when Kai fell during the opening heat of a BMX World Cup event in Canberra.
As the elder sibling, he had his sights set on a medal at the Tokyo Olympics alongside Saya, but the event’s lead-up almost ended in catastrophe.
He suffered serious head injuries and was airlifted to the hospital, where surgeons undertook procedures to alleviate brain pressure. Following this, Kai was placed in a medically induced coma for two months.
Doctors had severe concerns about his chances of survival.
This injury hindered his speech and affected movement on the right side of his body, compelling him to relearn basic life skills and leading to an early retirement from the sport.
Although he survived, the family faced another blow when fate struck again.
Saya’s inspirational Paris Olympics gold medal was dedicated to her brother Kai
There were emotional scenes as the Sakakibara siblings embraced following the race
Kai and Saya Sakakibara as children with Dutch motocross legend Robert de Wilde
Saya made her mark at the Tokyo Olympics but suffered a serious concussion after colliding with another rider, leading to her being stretchered away in distressing conditions.
This incident left her shaken and unsure if she would ever compete again. However, on Saturday, she faced her fears, and with her brother watching from the stands, she clinched an emotionally charged gold medal.
Finding her brother in the crowd, she enveloped him in a heartfelt hug, tears streaming down her face at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines circuit.
Kai expressed his admiration for his sister’s courage.
‘It felt just like getting the medal myself. She executed everything perfectly, and I truly felt connected to her,’ he shared.
‘I want to express my gratitude to her for that.’
As tears welled up, Saya spoke passionately about how her brother has motivated her throughout her Olympic journey.
‘None of this would have been possible without Kai, without him encouraging me to reach my fullest potential,’ she said.
‘Without him introducing me to the sport, pushing me forward, and everything else. I owe him so much; I feel eternally grateful.’
Kai suffered a major brain trauma and had to re-learn simple tasks like talking and walking
Kai was left prone on the track in Canberra in 2020 after crashing in a lead-up race to Tokyo
In shocking scenes, Kaya was stretchered from the track just months after her brother’s crash
Kai has a long road ahead.
‘I spent two months in a coma and underwent a craniectomy to relieve the pressure on my brain,’ he recounted to Connectivity Traumatic Brain Injury Australia.
After an additional eight months in the brain injury ward at Liverpool hospital, I transitioned to a TLU (Transitional Living Unit) where I stayed for another six months.
‘I had to relearn everything; walking, talking, eating, crossing the road, making shopping lists, and shopping.
‘Literally everything. Recovery is tough and would not have been achievable without the support from doctors, nurses, therapists, and my family.’
Despite the challenges, his Olympic dreams remain alive, as he has discovered a passion for rowing during his rehabilitation – a sport he hopes will lead him to the Paralympics.
‘I aimed to return to sports at a competitive level, trying out a few activities including cycling at the velodrome again,’ he shared.
Saya and Kai, pictured as teenagers, have always been close and share a common love of BMX
Rowing has been a key part of Kai’s rehab and he wants to represent Australia at the Paralympics in his new chosen sport
‘Cycling turned out to be intimidating. I began searching for alternatives and attended a Paralympic sports try-out day,’ Kai disclosed.
‘It was there I discovered rowing, and as soon as I hopped on the rowing machine, I knew this was the sport for me.
‘I’m now rowing five times a week and have made significant progress. Rowing with others presents challenges since we must all row in unison.
‘My long-term goal is the Paralympics; I’m on that path, but it’s a journey. Regardless, I apply the same mindset from my rehabilitation: one step at a time.’
In the meantime, Saya’s gold medal will be cherished by the entire Sakakibara family.
‘We’ve endured so much. It’s incredibly special that he was present, along with my parents,’ Saya remarked.
‘BMX holds immense meaning for both Kai and me. I still wear his number, 77, every time I race, ensuring he is with me and I represent him each time I hit the track.’
