Olympic champion Saya Sakakibara has shown sharp form ahead of a home World Championships, defending her elite women's title at the 2026 GWM BMX Racing National Championships on Friday night.
Meanwhile, Brisbane’s Jesse Asmus won his maiden elite men’s national title, beating out hometown hero and defending champion Hayden Fletcher in Shepparton, Victoria.
Sakakibara dominated the women's field, winning all three motos ahead of Sienna Pal and Isabell May, who rounded out the podium.
Sakakibara was imperious throughout Friday's racing.
The 26-year-old from Southlake Illawarra BMX Club saved her fastest lap for last, posting a time of 36.143 to reclaim her crown.
"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.”
Earlier in the week, Sakakibara took part in an elite rider autograph session, meeting with many of the near-2,000 riders who had entered this year's bumper National Championships.
“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,” Sakakibara said.
Just weeks after becoming the Oceania champion, Asmus had to fight back in tonight's final.
After losing out on the hole shot to Jack Davis, a superior third straight allowed Asmus to take the lead through the final bend, which he held to the finish line.
Fletcher and Davis completed the elite men's podium.
Asmus (left) lunges to the line to take victory in the elite men's final.
“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 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.”
Earlier in the day, several riders secured their place to compete in the Challenge and Masters categories at the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships by recording strong results in their age groups.
Results - 2026 GWM BMX Racing National Championships
Elite Women
🥇 Saya Sakakibara (Southlake Illawarra BMX Club)
🥈 Sienna Pal (Terrigal BMX Club)
🥉 Isabell May (Casey BMX Club)
Elite Men
🥇 Jesse Asmus (Nerang BMX Club)
🥈 Hayden Fletcher (Shepparton BMX Club)
🥉 Jack Davis (Tamworth City BMX Club)
- Masters Men: Corey Frieswyk (Suncoast Hinterland BMX Club)
- Masters Women: Samantha Molloy (Park Orchards BMX Club)
- U23 Men: Joshua Jolly (Ballarat-Sebastopol Cycling Club)
- U23 Women: Isabella Schramm (Ashmore BMX Club)
- Junior Men: Cameron Gatt (Geelong BMX Club)
- Junior Women: Isla Basa (Macarthur BMX Club)
- 13 Boys: Ace Birchall (Wanneroo BMX Raceway Club)
- 14 Boys: Jayden Bradbrook (Cross Keys BMX Club)
- 15 Boys: Miller Nelson (Frankston BMX Club)
- 16 Boys: Harvey Brooks (Knox BMX Club)
- 17−24 Men: Kane Gibbons (Pine Rivers BMX Club)
- 13 Girls: Milla Rentsch (Warrnambool BMX Club)
- 14 Girls: Dusty Schroder (Toowoomba BMX Club)
- 15 Girls: Maya Ellis (Frankston BMX Club)
- 16 Girls: Tahlia Broomhall (Wynyard BMX Park)
- 17−24 Women: Danica Memery (Casey BMX Club)
Photos: Oksanan Media