Eighth death anniversary of Japanese MotoGP star, Daijiro Kato
April 20, 2011 marks the eighth death anniversary of Japanese MotoGP star, Daijiro Kato.
Kato had a full run in the 2000 MotoGP World Championship, but he was already in path to be Japan’s most successful Grand Prix rider ever in history of the country. By the end of the 2001 season, he had gained his claim for the 250cc category world
title including 17 GP wins which resulted in a contact with the Japanese GP legend, Tetsuya Harada.
However, Kato died after getting injured in the third lap of the season opener round in the 2003 season at the Suzuka circuit, Japan. The accident occurred when Kato lost his control on the Honda RCV, next to the 130R corner at about 200 km/hr and
catapulted him into a track side barrier on his left.
The astonishing accident left Kato motionless in a coma, with some serious injuries on head, neck and chest. To retain his heartbeat, the medical staff had to restart his heart during his way to the circuit’s medical facility.
After immediate medical assistance, he was shifted to a local hospital, but Kato was not showing recovery. In fact, the spinal damage near his neck region did not allow him to recover properly from his injured stage.
Just after two weeks of his accident, it was announced that Kato could not sustain his injuries and lost his battle for life. That was the moment when MotoGP lost a growing star. He was a prominent talent among his rivals and was considered the favourite
for title that season by Valentino Rossi.
At the second round of the 2003 season in South Africa, his teammate at Gresini, Sete Gibernau took a victory. He dedicated his victory to the Japanese nation and by pointing towards the sky, mourning the loss of his teammate.
“Daijiro was riding with me,” Sete Gibernau stated after his victory at South African Grand Prix.
Daijiro Kato started his motorcycle-racing carrier at the age of five, in a Pocket Bike competition. Until 1985, he won the Japanese Championship and shifted to bigger mini bikes, claiming four National Championship titles.
The Japanese young rider moved to the real bike on his 16th birthday, racing on 125cc and 250cc machines until 1994. It was when he participated in the All Japan series and won his first big race at Aida.
Tags: