Aussie BMX rider Saya Sakakibara has bounced back from the horror crash that crushed her medal hopes in Tokyo, claiming her maiden elite national title at the AusCycling BMX National Championships on Monday.
Sakakibara came out of the blocks firing at the nationals, held between Saturday and Monday in Nerang, Queensland.
The 22-year-old claimed victory in the women’s Superclass event on Saturday, which she said gave her a “confidence boost” heading into Monday’s elite women’s racing event.
She took out top honours in that event as well, confirming that she has well and truly bounced back from the crash that forced her to be carried from the Olympic track in a stretcher and left her feeling “disconnected” from the bike.
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Sakakibara said it was “definitely a relief” to be back in winning form.
“It’s been so good to get back onto home soil doing this national championships,” she said.
“I haven’t been able to go for the elite national championship before, so it’s been so good to come back to Australia, especially in a place like the Gold Coast.
“The track looked so impeccable and it was just so awesome to see everyone again.”
Sakakibara admitted it had been difficult to put the Olympic crash behind her and prepare for the national championships.
“But as soon as I got onto this track it was a case of familiarity I think, and I was able to feel like myself again,” she said.
“It’s definitely a confidence booster coming into next year knowing I’m on the right track and all I have to do is continue on and get back into the racing.”
Now, the young Aussie is setting her sights on racing overseas again.
“My No.1 goal would be definitely the world championships in North France,” she said.
“I’ve always wanted to go for that rainbow jersey, so that’s definitely a big goal.”
Elsewhere, Izaac Kennedy claimed back-to-back national men’s titles.
“I’m so stoked to finally get that done with and for sure felt the pressure to make sure I got the win done,” he said.
“I had a pretty good lap in the final and I’m stoked to get back-to-back national titles.”