Olympic champion Saya Sakakibara has sent an ominous warning to the world ahead of a home World Championships, defending her elite title at the 2026 GWM BMX Racing National Championships in Shepparton on Friday night. 

Brisbane’s Jesse Asmus won the elite men’s national championship, beating out hometown hero Hayden Fletcher.

Sakakibara, a New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder, dominated the field, crossing the line first in 36.143, ahead of Sienna Pal and Isabell May.

The 26-year-old threw down the gauntlet during all stages of racing, showing everyone why she is the reigning Olympic champion on her way to back-to-back national championships. 

“There was a lot of wind, our first instinct is to tighten up, but you have to battle through that and be confident and loose through it,” Sakakibara said. 

“I’m so grateful, it is what I have always envisioned, and so grateful for. 

“When I am racing, it’s 100 per cent racing and when I am engaging with the community I am 100 per cent engaging with them.”

Asmus claimed his maiden elite national title just weeks after climbing to the top of the Oceania Championships podium. Hometown hero and 2025 national champion Hayden Fletcher finished narrowly behind, while Jack Davis claimed third place on the podium. 

“I wanted to show people that I was fast no matter where I showed up,” Asmus said. 

“I push hard, I don’t doubt myself and I believe that no matter what position I come out in, I never doubt I can’t make it back to the front.

“Something about Nationals has a different type of prestige to it. I really pushed hard and I wanted to get to this one, try to win it and prove a point.”

Story: AusCycling

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