Toshiaki Fushimi, the Olympic silver medallist who became one of Japan’s most celebrated keirin racers, has died aged 50 following a crash during a race in Mie Prefecture.
Fushimi suffered severe injuries during the S-class final at Matsusaka Keirin on Saturday. Riding in seventh position on the final lap, he attempted to avoid two fallen riders ahead of him in the final corner before striking the outer safety fence.
He was thrown violently to the inside of the track and received emergency treatment before being rushed to a hospital in Matsusaka. He died there on Sunday 19 July 2026. The cause of death was given as a spinal cord injury. The Japan Keirin Autorace Foundation (JKA), the sport’s governing body, confirmed his death.
Born in Shirakawa, Fukushima Prefecture, Fushimi turned professional in April 1995. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he amassed 619 wins from 2,423 races and captured the sport’s most prestigious title, the KEIRIN Grand Prix, twice, in 2001 and 2007. He also won five G1 titles. On the international stage, Fushimi teamed with Tomohiro Nagatsuka and Masaki Inoue to win silver in the men’s team sprint at the 2004 Athens Olympics before competing again at the 2008 Beijing Games.
JKA chairman Hiroshi Kido said Fushimi’s death during competition was deeply regrettable and pledged a renewed safety review across the sport. Fushimi had been scheduled to compete at the G1 All-Star Keirin, beginning on 11 August.
A similar tragedy three months earlier
Fushimi’s death echoes another fatal track incident reported by Gran Fondo Daily News just over three months ago. On Saturday 4 April 2026, masters racer Colin Wilson, known throughout Trinidad and Tobago’s cycling community as “Creepy”, died after crashing during a six-lap masters race at the Easter International Cycling Grand Prix in San Fernando.
Like Fushimi, Wilson struck trackside fencing while trying to avoid a fallen rider ahead of him and suffered fatal neck injuries despite prompt medical attention. Wilson, 44, was a multi-discipline champion who won titles on the road, in time trials and on the track.
The two incidents, though separated by continents, disciplines and levels of competition, share striking similarities. Both riders lost their lives while attempting to avoid fallen competitors before colliding with track barriers, highlighting an ongoing discussion about trackside safety in cycling.
Photo Credit: JKA
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