Joerg Teuchert
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It’s one thing to ride a superbike to glory at the highest level, it’s another to survive unscathed after being thrown at breakneck speeds. A novice Japanese superbike rider counts his blessings after surviving a crash during the 2021 Italian Grand Prix held at the World Circuit in Misano, Italy.
Your 20-year-old Kawakami, who races for the Brazilian Yamaha MS Racing team, suffered a heavy blow during the Italian stage of the Superbike World Championship in Misano. Not only did he survive the crash, but he narrowly avoided being run over after the horrific accident.
In a video shared by the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK), gruesome footage shows Kawakami hit the edge of the race track and lost control of his motorcycle. His machine took several oscillations before throwing him in the middle of the track. He was in the lead peloton at that point and after the teetering crash his bike was safe as it skidded off the track, but the Japanese rider was thrown just in the way of several bikes. Kawakami was fortunate not to be hit or run over by other motorcycles. Within moments, as the other bikes raced safely past him, he managed to get up and walk back to his bike.
Kawakami, who made his WorldSSP300 debut in 2019 with the BCD Yamaha MS Racing team, had the best result of the season placing 12th at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, France. The Brazilian team rider has raced four times so far this season but has yet to win a racing title. However, he started from pole position, but this resulted in a tenth place. His overall race record stands at 26 races, with no wins.
Surprisingly, Kawakami is joined by his brother Meikon in the racing circuit, who is a year younger than 19. The youngest Kawakami has competed in 17 races so far in the sport and even managed once on the podium.
The sibling duo moved to Brazil in 2013 to start racing with Alex Barros’ team.
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