Helensburgh BMX star Kai Sakakibara has been placed in a medically-induced coma after sustaining serious injuries in Saturday's heavy crash in Bathurst.
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In an update provided on Wednesday morning, Sakakibara's family said he remains in a critical but stable condition in Canberra Hospital.
The 23-year-old suffered a severe head injury in the crash, with a full prognosis still to be determined.
Sakakibara underwent surgery on Sunday morning to relieve pressure on his brain and he has now been placed in a medically induced coma.
He remains in the Intensive Care Unit and is receiving 24-hour monitoring.
"Kai has suffered a severe head injury which will need time to settle before we have a more accurate understanding of his prognosis," the statement said.
"An operation on Sunday morning relieved some pressure on his brain and he has been placed in a medically induced coma to help his body relax.
"Kai's condition is described as critical but stable, he is in good hands and under 24-hour monitoring. We are expecting he will remain in a medical coma for the next two weeks or so."
The update came four days after Sakakibara suffered a heavy crash at the UCI BMX World Cup event in Bathurst. The Tokyo Olympics hopeful was treated at the scene before being sedated and airlifted to Canberra Hospital.
The event was called off later on Saturday due to high winds and heavy rain.
Kai and younger sister Saya, like all BMX racers, are well-aware of the dangers of the sport.
Just last month, Saya told the Mercury of the fear she experiences when she lines up to race.
A series of heavy crashes suffered throughout 2019 left her struggling for confidence and she conceded it took a long time to embrace the fear.
"There wasn't one instant I overcame it," Saya said in January. "I just learnt to accept the fear, because the fear is always there. It's impossible to ignore the fact that I'm scared, I just accepted the fear and then shifted my mindset on to what I can control.
"I can't control the fear, but I can control the way I breathe, the way I do my warm-up, the way I ride. It definitely takes practice, it's so much easier to say than it is to do."
The incident led to an outpouring of support for Sakakibara and the family thanked the BMX community for the kind words.
"Firstly we would like to thank everyone for the kind messages, prayers and thoughts regarding Kai. It's amazing to know he has touched so many people.
"This is a very difficult time for all of us, but we felt it is important to share what we know at this moment. We need you all to be with us and with Kai throughout the next weeks and months."
Saya and parents Martin and Yuki are currently in Canberra and will remain with Kai as his condition progresses.
"We (Martin, Yuki and Saya) are in Canberra with Kai right now and the best thing for us is to keep busy and continue doing everyday things so please feel free to contact us as you normally would.
"We understand the road ahead will be a long and difficult one, we are staying positive and taking things day by day. There isn't much we can do at this point but Kai needs your support and your positive energy sent his way. Please keep thinking of Kai #KaiFight77 and stay with us on his journey for the months ahead.
"For now, we are waiting to see how things progress and our focus is on his long-term rehabilitation. Kai's BMX career will be put on hold for now."
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