Japanese Olympic silver medalist Toshiaki Fushimi has died at the age of 50 after a crash during a keirin race in Matsusaka, Mie Prefecture. The accident occurred on Saturday during the Matsusaka Keirin tournament. According to the Japan Keirin Autorace Foundation (JKA), Fushimi was moving from the back of the pack when riders ahead collided, forcing him to swerve. He crashed into a safety barrier, suffering fractures to his cervical vertebrae and skull. He was taken to hospital but died at 10:15 am on Sunday.
Career and achievements
Fushimi, from Fukushima Prefecture, began his professional keirin career in 1995. Over his career, he competed in 2,423 races, winning 619 of them. He won the prestigious KEIRIN Grand Prix twice, in 2001 and 2007, and secured five G1 titles. Fushimi represented Japan at the 2004 Athens Olympics, winning a silver medal in the men's team sprint alongside Tomohiro Nagatsuka and Masaki Inoue.
Final words and tributes
Before the race, Fushimi expressed determination to reach the S-class final of the Matsusaka Keirin. In a YouTube video posted by Matsusaka Keirin on Friday, after winning several races that day, he said: 'The final race will be a tough one. But I just want to give it my all so that I have no regrets.'
JKA chairman Hiroshi Kido stated: 'It is truly heartbreaking that he lost his life in an accident during a race. We will reconfirm our safety measures and thoroughly ensure fair and safe races.'
Fellow keirin racer Yudai Nitta, who considered Fushimi a friend and mentor since school, said: 'He was the one who taught me what it means to be able to participate in the Olympics. He also taught me how to behave when competing as a keirin racer. Fushimi was someone who always sought results. Those of us who are left behind want to respond by producing results. I think that would make him happy.'
Shoko Inoue, who raced with Fushimi on Japan's national keirin team, said: 'He was very serious and had a solid way of thinking, so there were times when I was concerned about him. All that we who are left can do is work hard, and we have no choice but to show him that we can do that.'
Keirin sport and comeback
Keirin, Japanese for 'racing track', involves riders following a motorized pacer that gradually speeds up over three laps. With about 700 meters remaining, the pacer leaves the track, and the cyclists sprint to the finish line. Fushimi staged a comeback in May at the Hiratsuka G1 Japan Championship after not racing for four years.
