Australian BMX rider Saya Sakakibara has been stretchered off during the semi finals at the Tokyo Olympics after a horror crash in eerily similar scenes to an accident that left her brother suffering brain damage.
Sakakibara had suffered a knock from US rider Alise Willoughby with Olympics authorities since confirming the Australian has regained consciousness.
The Aussie 21-year-old had been leading the race with both Sakakibara and Willoughby through to the finals had they finished first and second.
Twitter had since erupted after the horrifying collision with furious fans calling for Willoughby to be disqualified.
Her brother Kai, who turned 25 on Thursday, should have joined his 21-year-old sister on the Australian BMX racing team for the Tokyo Games.
But in February last year, he crashed heavily while racing at a World Cup round in Bathurst.
BMX star siblings: Saya Sakakibara (left) is representing Australia in the BMX semis at the Olympics today, while her brother Kai (right) cheers her on from the sidelines. He was in a coma for two months after a crash - ruining his own Olympic aspirations
Sakakibara suffered severe brain trauma and was in a coma for two months.
He has amazed doctors with his ongoing recovery - he can ride a bike again - but a long road still lies ahead.
He is in Tokyo to be part of the Paralympic torch relay, travelling with their Japanese-born mum and grandmother, but COVID-19 restrictions mean they cannot attend the BMX venue.
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