Sports
Saya Sakakibara Wins Historic Gold in BMX at Paris 2024
Saya Sakakibara has made a stunning comeback, winning the gold medal in BMX racing at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Just three years after a harsh crash in Tokyo, the 24-year-old put her pedal to the metal at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines track.
After an emotional victory, she shared her disbelief with Channel Nine, saying, “I honestly can’t believe it right now. It all feels like a blur.” She mentioned her efforts to stay focused during the waiting time before the race, thinking to herself, ‘I’m going to make these four hours the most proud I’ve ever been of myself.’
With her family, including her brother Kai who suffered a serious injury in a past race, watching her, Saya knew this moment was special. She choked up while speaking about her family’s support, admitting, “I couldn’t see them in the crowd. I knew that, either way, I was going to end in tears.”
Adding to the dramatic week she had, Saya revealed that she was battling COVID before the race, saying, “I thought, ‘I can’t believe this.’ But I just wanted to make sure it is a gold Olympic moment.”
She didn’t hold back in the final, leading from the start and completing her lap in an impressive 34.231 seconds, securing her position ahead of her competitors. “I didn’t want to hesitate at all,” she reflected, highlighting her determination.
Meanwhile, another Australian competitor, Izaac Kennedy, had a tough time in the men’s final, falling during the race but managing to get back on his bike. In contrast, the men’s medals were dominated by French riders, with Joris Daudet taking gold and Sylvain Andre in second.
After her victory, Saya was met by her partner, Romain Mahieu, who also earned a bronze medal. He expressed immense pride in her achievement, stating, “I think I’m more proud of her than what I did,” recognizing the struggles she had overcome.
It was a night filled with emotion and triumph, not only for Saya but for Australian BMX racing as a whole, marking a significant moment in her sporting career.
