VOL.212 FEBRUARY 2026
CYCLING JAPAN KEIRIN, An Original Cycling Sport from Japan

A public sport¹ where spectators predict the finishing order of bicycle racers
Photo:Japan Keirin Autorace (JKA) Foundation/ ISHII Cotaro

KEIRIN is a bicycle sport that originated in Japan and was established as the second public sport¹ after horse racing. We spoke with SATO Yuichi of the Public Relations and Promotion Department of the Japan Keirin Autorace (JKA) Foundation, the public interest incorporated foundation that organizes KEIRIN, about the characteristics of the sport, which is also an official Olympic event.

KEIRIN, a cycling sport that was born in Japan, has developed into a unique form of competition that combines speed and strategy. 

“The first KEIRIN race was held in 1948 at the Kokura Keirin Track in Kitakyushu City, in an effort to boost morale and raise funds for reconstruction after World War II. Today, competitions are held at 43 KEIRIN racetracks throughout Japan. In the main race format, 7 to 9 athletes riding brakeless bicycles compete on a banked racetrack, racing a set number of laps as they strive to cross the finish line first. KEIRIN’s subtlety and appeal lie not only in speed, but also in the intense tactical strategies among the competing riders,” explains SATO.

During races, speeds often exceed 70 km/h, exposing riders to air resistance that can result in reduced speed and physical exhaustion. In the quest for victory, riders organize into formations called “lines” and work together.

“Multiple riders take on specific roles in a race, such as senko (front-runner) or oikomi (overtaker). Their strategic calculations intertwine intricately, sometimes resulting in a dramatic race development. Reading the riders’ mindsets to predict the winner is the real thrill of KEIRIN.”

These characteristics of KEIRIN racing were the basis for the international development of the sport, which has even become an Olympic event.

“NAKANO Koichi,² who was an active KEIRIN rider at the time, achieved many consecutive victories from 1977 at the world’s premier track cycling competition organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), it significantly increased KEIRIN’s global recognition. Since 1980, KEIRIN has been a men’s event at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships, and it is now an official Olympics event, with the men’s event held since the 2000 Sydney Games, and the women’s event added at the 2012 London Games.”

The JKA Foundation promotes the appeal of KEIRIN as a sport while also taking on new challenges in response to changes in lifestyles and society.

“In recent years, many female riders have become active, and Girls’ KEIRIN is also popular. We are also scheduled to host the KEIRIN World Series in 2026, which invites internationally renowned cyclists from overseas to come and compete in KEIRIN races in Japan.”

A portion of the proceeds is used to support a wide range of initiatives that contribute to society, including the promotion of manufacturing, sports, and social welfare.  

“We believe that the role of KEIRIN in society is to contribute to regional revitalization and the resolution of social issues through these initiatives. Going forward, we aim to further establish KEIRIN as a sport that is widely enjoyed, and underpinned by the trust of both society and audiences.”

SATO notes that KEIRIN racetracks are located not only in urban areas but also near onsen hot spring resorts and tourist areas, and that races are held all over Japan from morning until late at night. Close up opportunities for overseas visitors to experience KEIRIN — which is known as the fastest human-powered sport, with riders competing at extreme speeds using only their own strength — are also expanding.

• 1. A form of sports competition organized by a national or local government or other public entity, where people buy tickets to place bets on the order of finish, in compliance with legal regulations. In Japan, four types of public sports are held: KEIRIN, horse racing, boat racing, and auto racing.
• 2. Born in 1955. A former Japanese KEIRIN cyclist who excelled internationally. In 1977, he became the first Japanese rider to win at the UCI World Championships and went on to claim ten consecutive world titles, completing his run at the 1986 event held in the United States.

By MOROHASHI Kumiko
Photo: Japan Keirin Autorace (JKA) Foundation/ISHII Cotaro; JKA/MOCHIZUKI Shutaro