Olympic Medalist Fushimi Dies in Tragic Keirin Crash

Tragedy has befallen the keirin racing community with the death of former Olympic medalist Toshiaki Fushimi. The esteemed Japanese track rider passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2026, following a severe accident during the Matsusaka Keirin race on Saturday, July 19, 2026.

Fushimi, 50, crashed hard into a safety barrier while trying to evade a sudden pileup of cyclists ahead of him. The impact resulted in fractures to his cervical vertebrae and skull, leading to his death.

Fushimi was a decorated athlete, having won a silver medal in the team sprint at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. He had recently returned to competition in May 2026 after a four-year hiatus.

His professional keirin career began in 1995, marked by 619 race wins, including five G1 titles and two Keirin Grand Prix victories in 2001 and 2007. Fellow riders have paid tribute, remembering him as one of Japan's finest keirin racers.

In light of the incident, Hiroshi Kido, chairman of the Japan Keirin Association, expressed deep sorrow and committed to rigorous review and reinforcement of safety protocols to ensure fair and secure races going forward.