Overview
- Toshiaki Fushimi, 50, crashed while racing at the Matsusaka Keirin meet when he appeared to veer to the outside to avoid a pile-up and struck the outer safety barrier on Saturday, July 18.
- The Japan Keirin Association confirmed he died at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, July 19, after suffering fractures to his cervical vertebrae and skull.
- Fushimi was a leading figure in Japanese keirin with 619 career wins, two Keirin Grand Prix titles and an Olympic team‑sprint silver from Athens 2004.
- Video of the final laps circulated on social media showing his evasive move, and fellow riders and former competitors issued public tributes after his death.
- The JKA has pledged a review of race safety measures and emergency response procedures, and officials said an internal investigation and further steps to reconfirm safety protocols will follow.