Woolworths Aussie Heroes: The bittersweet reality of Saya Sakakibara’s Olympic dream
As Woolworths unveils its new Olympic and Paralympic hero collectibles range, one BMX star reveals her heartbreaking story.
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BMX rising star Saya Sakakibara can’t quite believe she will become an Olympian let alone a feature Aussie hero in Woolworths’ latest collectible range, alongside athletics track legend Cathy Freeman and surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore.
But from Wednesday, Australians will be able to share in the Olympic and Paralympic dream when the Woolworths Aussie Heroes sticker range launches.
There will be 68 past and present Olympians and Paralympians to collect in the Woolworths Aussie Heroes stickers range with every $20 spent. A book to place them in will be also available for $3.
For first-time Olympian BMX Supercross rider Saya Sakakibara, appearing in the range alongside the likes of athletics track hero Cathy Freeman and surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore was a “pinch-yourself moment”.
“This Olympics is so highly anticipated for grown-ups and kids. To have the world watching this spectacular event finally go ahead – and then for kids to be collecting different athletes and learning more about different sports – that will be in the Olympics is super cool,” the 21-year-old said.
“I grew up watching these extraordinary athletes, these Aussie heroes, and to be alongside them in this book and being a collectable sticker, it’s such a surreal moment.”
Sakakibara shared her Olympic dream with brother and BMX star Kai Sakakibara, 23, with the goal always being for them to represent Australia together.
But this dream tragically ended when Kai suffered life-altering injuries in a major crash while competing at the Bathurst World Cup last year.
“I started BMX with my brother Kai, he was a very big influence in the start of my BMX journey,” Sakakibara said.
“We were riding together since we were kids, then we started to get serious through our teenage years, and have travelled the world together on the World Cup circuit.
“We just had this dream that we were getting so close to and that was taken away when he had his accident. It definitely shook me.
“I had to find my own inner drive to keep going and had to change course in a way. What has made it so much easier, is the fact that he is so positive about everything. He is probably my biggest supporter.
“I can’t imagine what kind of feelings and emotions he’s going through but he is so positive and sends me messages all the time.
“That has been such a positive in especially these past few months while he’s getting his cognitive ability back that has been kind of lost for about a year. It’s been slowly coming back and he’s progressing exponentially every day.
“I’m going to Tokyo for him and me and I’m making this dream a reality for us.”
Other athletes in the Woolworths Aussie Hero range include para-swimmer Matt Cowdrey, cyclist Anna Meares, tennis star Samantha Stosur, wheelchair rugby legend Ryley Batt and many more.
There will also be additional golden surprises in select sticker packs.
Each sticker features information on the athlete – including their birthdate, accomplishments, and even their favourite fruit or vegetable.
Woolworths Chief Marketing Officer Andrew Hicks said: “Sport and fresh food have a natural connection and a way of bringing Australians together.
“As the long standing fresh food partner of the Australian Olympic and Paralympic teams, our goal with this collectible is to celebrate some of Australia’s greatest athletes and future champions, as well inspire younger generations to live active and healthy lifestyles.”
Customers will also be invited to make a donation to Paralympics Australia in Woolworths stores.
The 2020 Summer Olympic Games are set to run in Tokyo from July 23 to August 8, with the Paralympic Games from August 24 and September 5.
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Originally published as Woolworths Aussie Heroes: The bittersweet reality of Saya Sakakibara’s Olympic dream
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