BMX
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Helensburgh BMX specialist Kai Sakakibara will rub shoulders with some of the best in the business at the national championships in Victoria on Saturday and Sunday.
Touted by BMX Australia as "a rider to watch', the 16-year-old will line up in the traditionally tough junior men's division.
Sakakibara, a member of Southlake Illawarra BMX Club, is second on the National Series leaderboard and enjoying his most successful season.
He is keen to make the most of the double points on offer at this weekend's event, which features two-time world champion Caroline Buchanan and Olympic silver medallist Sam Willoughby.
"The goal is always to win, [but] there are a lot of good competitors out there who are riding well," Sakakibara said. "I'm happy with my preparation so far and looking forward to the weekend.
"I'm going to the UCI BMX Supercross round in Papendal after the nationals, and it will be my first ever Supercross round. Hopefully that will coincide with selection in the World Championships team after this weekend."
Buchanan headlines the women's division and Willoughby the men. Buchanan won gold at the UCI World Four Cross Championships in 2013, and Willoughby was runner-up at the London Olympics.