Tokyo Olympics hopeful Kai Sakakibara facing a fortnight in coma after horror crash
Olympic BMX cycling hopeful Kai Sakakibara is expected to remain in a medically-induced coma for at least another fortnight after sustaining serious head injuries in a race accident.
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Australian BMX rising star Kai Sakakibara remains in a medically induced coma in Canberra Hospital after surgery to relieve pressure on his brain following a serious racing crash in Bathurst on Saturday.
The 23-year-old Tokyo Olympic hopeful is in a critical but stable condition and expected to remain in the coma for two weeks before doctors are able to deliver a more accurate prognosis.
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Sakakibara’s family including parents Martin and Yuki and his sister Saya – another BMX rider aiming for Tokyo this year – are by his bedside in Canberra and have thanked the cycling community for its support.
The multiple national and state champion both in Australia and Japan where he spent a large portion of his childhood crashed and fell face-first on the opening day of the BMX Super Cross World Cup at Bathurst on Saturday.
He was treated by doctors on site before being sedated and flown by helicopter to Canberra Hospital with a severe head injury.
“This is a very difficult time for all of us, but we felt it is important to share what we know at this moment,” Sakakibara’s family said in a statement on Wednesday morning.
“We need you all to be with us and with Kai throughout the next weeks and months.
“Kai has suffered a serious head injury which will need time to settle before we have a more accurate understanding of his prognosis. An operation on Sunday morning relieved some pressure on his brain and he has been placed in a medically induced coma to help his body relax.
“We understand the road ahead will be a long and difficult one, we are staying positive and taking things day by day. There isn’t much we can do at this point but Kai needs your support and positive energy sent his way. Please keep thinking of Kay #KaiFight77 and stay with us on his journey for the months ahead.
“For now we are waiting to see how things progress and our focus is on his long-term rehabilitation. Kai’s BMX career will be put on hold for now.”
Sakakibara was born on the Gold Coast and started racing his BMX when he was four before continuing his sport in Japan when the family moved to Tokyo in 2000. They returned to Australia in 2007 where he has been racing for the Southlake Illawarra BMX Club and chasing his dream all over the world.
Originally published as Tokyo Olympics hopeful Kai Sakakibara facing a fortnight in coma after horror crash