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Aussies rally around Kai Sakakibara

 

Aussies rally around Kai Sakakibara

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AOC
Kai Sakakibara

On Saturday Aussie BMX rider and Tokyo 2020 hopeful, Kai Sakakibara crashed while competing at the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in Bathurst.

News that Kai had suffered a severe head injury brought on an outpouring of support, from the BMX community, to fellow athletes and junior riders who have been inspired by Kai on and off the bike.

On Wednesday, Kai's family released a statement on his condition and thanked the public for their support.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

#KaiFight77 A message regarding Kai Sakakibara from his family; Martin, Yuki and Saya: Firstly we would like to thank everyone for the kind messages, prayers and thoughts regarding Kai. It’s amazing to know he has touched so many people. This is a very difficult time for all of us, but we felt it is important to share what we know at this moment. We need you all to be with us and with Kai throughout the next weeks and months. As many of you are aware, Kai was involved in a serious racing accident on Saturday at the UCI BMX World Cup event in Bathurst. Medics and a doctor were on site and were able to manage the situation and provide support to assist with his breathing. They sedated Kai and he was airlifted by helicopter to Canberra Hospital where he was placed in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit). Kai has suffered a severe 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. Kai’s condition is described as critical but stable, he is in good hands and under 24-hour monitoring. We are expecting he will remain in a medical coma for the next two weeks or so. We (Martin, Yuki and Saya) are in Canberra with Kai right now and the best thing for us is to keep busy and continue doing everyday things so please feel free to contact us as you normally would. 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 your positive energy sent his way. Please keep thinking of Kai #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. #KaiFight77 Martin, Yuki and Saya

A post shared by Australian Cycling Team (@australiancyclingteam) on


Kai's sister Saya also took to Instagram to share her gratitude for the "messages, posts, prayers and love" received.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

日本文は英文の下にあります。 Firstly, thank you for all of the support, messages and the love these past few days. As you may know, Kai had a crash 5 days ago at the recent World Cup in Bathurst. He was airlifted to Canberra hospital using assistance for his breathing. I was unaware of the severity of the situation as I was trying to focus on my racing at the time. But as soon as I got the call, I was straight to his side with my parents. Kai is currently in ICU with a severe head injury. He is stable and to help with his swelling on the brain, he is under heavy sedation and will remain that way for the next couple of weeks. My family and I are finding it tough but we are coping by staying positive as we take on this journey day by day. The tremendous amount of support we received from the BMX community and our family and friends is so motivating to be strong for Kai, we feel so grateful to know we have your support every step of the way💕 So THANK YOU again for the messages, posts, prayers and love. We really appreciate it. For now, we are waiting and allowing Kai to rest as he works his magic to recover. He’s a fighter. We’ll update you when we know more. Already miss your stupid face Kai. Hope to see you ruining my nice photos again soon. #KaiFight77 #Yougotthis • すでに知っている方も多いと思いますが、カイは5日前にバサーストで行われたワールドカップでクラッシュし、ヘリコプターでキャンベラ病院に運ばれました。 私はレースに集中していたため、深刻さに気づいていませんでしたが、次の日電話を受けてから、かいの側にいることにしました。 今は頭の腫れをなるべくおさめるため、医療技術を用いた昏睡状態です。今後2週間ほどその状態でモニターするようになっています。 とても辛い時ですが、ポジティブに行動しています。今まで、BMX コミュニティー、フォロワー、それからお友達からのたくさんのサポートをいただいてとても感謝しています。これからも応援お願いします。 #KaiFight77

A post shared by Saya Sakakibara (@sayasakakibara) on


Clubs, supporters and fellow athletes alike shared their support for Kai across social media, with many of the contributions coming from young BMX riders and fans, who recounted touching stories about the impact Kai has had on them throughout his career to date.

One theme that was present throughout, is just how much Kai's warm and generous nature is appreciated by all who have come into contact with him.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

#kaifight77 You got this Kai 👊🏻

A post shared by Batemans Bay BMX Club (@batemans_bay_bmx_club) on

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We met Kai in Gladstone, such a great guy and role model. Stay strong. #kaifight77

A post shared by Chayse and Seth (@ireland_brothers_racing) on

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

#KaiFight77 My all time favourite Kai-time ❤️💙@sakakibarakai

A post shared by Belinda Craig (@belcee) on

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Keep fighting @sakakibarakai 💙🙏🏻💪🏻 #KaiFight77

A post shared by Kayden Underhill (@kayden203) on

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

@sakakibarakai 頑張ってください‼️🙏🙏 #kaifight77

A post shared by 坂本 優和/Yuwa Sakamoto (@yuwa_sakamoto) on

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Keep fighting Kai 💪🏻🍀🍀🍀#BMXFamily #kaifight77 #staystrong Kai Sakakibara

A post shared by Mario T’Seyen (@mariotseyen) on

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

❤️ #kaifight77 You got this @sakakibarakai 💪

A post shared by Tyrah Beckinsale (@tybeks) on

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sending healing vibes to this legend! #kaifight77

A post shared by Elderfield Boys 🇦🇺 (@3_boys_2_wheels) on

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Best wishes KAI #kaifight77 🙏

A post shared by Braxton279 - 6 Years Old (@braxton_279) on


Kai's family stated in their update that the road ahead would be long and encouraged supporters to send all their positive energy Kai's way using hashtag #KaiFight77.

"We understand the road ahead will be a long and difficult one, we are staying positive and taking things day by day," the family said.

"There isn’t much we can do at this point but Kai needs your support and your positive energy sent his way.

"Please keep thinking of Kai #KaiFight77 and stay with us on his journey for the months ahead."

The hearts and minds of the Australian Olympic community are with Kai and his family during this difficult time.

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