is a Japanese former professional

motorcycle racer The motorcycle sport of racing (also called moto racing and motorbike racing) includes motorcycle road racing and off-road racing, both either on circuits or open courses, and track racing. Other categories include hill climbs, drag racing and ...

. He competed in

Grand Prix motorcycle racing Grand Prix motorcycle racing is the highest class of motorcycle road racing events held on Road racing, road circuits sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). Independent motorcycle racing events have been held sin ...

from

1991 It was the final year of the Cold War, which had begun in 1947. During the year, the Soviet Union Dissolution of the Soviet Union, collapsed, leaving Post-soviet states, fifteen sovereign republics and the Commonwealth of Independent State ...

1999 1999 was designated as the International Year of Older Persons. Events January * January 1 – The euro currency is established and the European Central Bank assumes its full powers. * January 3 – The Mars Polar Lander is launc ...

. Sakata is notable being a two-time F.I.M. 125cc world champion.

Motorcycle racing career

Sakata began his Grand Prix career in

and by the

1993 The United Nations General Assembly, General Assembly of the United Nations designated 1993 as: * International Year for the World's Indigenous People The year 1993 in the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands had only 364 days, since its ...

season, finished second to

Dirk Raudies Dirk Raudies (born June 17, 1964) is a German former professional motorcycle racer and current television sports presenter. He competed in Grand Prix motorcycle racing from 1989 to 1997. Born in Biberach an der Riß, Germany, Raudies specialise ...

in the 125cc class on a

Honda commonly known as just Honda, is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational Conglomerate (company), conglomerate automotive manufacturer headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Founded in October 1946 by Soichiro Honda, Honda has bee ...

. In

1994 The year 1994 was designated as the " International Year of the Family" and the "International Year of Sport and the Olympic Ideal" by the United Nations. In the Line Islands and Phoenix Islands of Kiribati, 1994 had only 364 days, omitti ...

, he became the first Japanese rider to race for a European factory when he signed with the

Aprilia Aprilia is an Italian motorcycle and Scooter (motorcycle), scooter manufacturer in Noale, Italy, founded by Alberto Beggio. History Early days Aprilia, named after the Pre-war automobile, pre-war Lancia Aprilia, was founded after the Seco ...

factory. He repaid them by winning the 125cc championship that year. He repeated as champion in

1998 1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''. Events January * January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for Lunar water, frozen water, in soil i ...

after a tight points battle with Tomomi Manako and

Marco Melandri Marco Melandri (born 7 August 1982) is an Italian people, Italian retired motorcycle road racing, road racer who is a five-time MotoGP, premier class race winner. He is the 2002 Grand Prix motorcycle racing, 250 cc World Champion and runner- ...

. He retired after the

season. After retirement, Sakata has become a motorcycle coach and trainer, for the next generation of racers. He is the principal of the MFJ Road Race Academy. In 2018, Sakata participated in the

All Japan Road Race Championship The is the premiere motorcycle road racing championship in Japan. It is run by the Motorcycle Federation of Japan (MFJ) (日本モーターサイクルスポーツ協会) – the Japanese affiliate of the FIM. History The MFJ was formed in 1 ...

Tsukuba Circuit is a motorsport race track located in Shimotsuma, Ibaraki, Shimotsuma, a neighboring city of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, about north of central Tokyo. It is long, with 32 Pit stop, pit garages and a long back straig ...

in the J-GP3 class. It was his first return to the All Japan Championship in 13 years. His participation in the race was at the behest of his students.

Motorcycle Grand Prix results

( key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sakata, Kazuto Japanese motorcycle racers 125cc World Championship riders 1966 births Living people Motorcycle racers from Tokyo 125cc World Riders' Champions