Shoya Tomizawa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shoya Tomizawa
Tomizawa on the podium at the 2010 Qatar Grand Prix.
Nationality	Japanese
Born	(1990-12-10)10 December 1990 Asahi, Chiba, Japan
Died	5 September 2010(2010-09-05) (aged 19) Riccione, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Bike number	48 (retired in honour)
Website	shoya48.com
Motorcycle racing career statistics Moto2 World Championship Active years 2010 Manufacturers Suter Championships 0 2010 championship position 13th (82 pts) Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points 10 1 2 2 0 82 250cc World Championship Active years 2008–2009 Manufacturers Honda Championships 0 2009 championship position 17th (32 pts) Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points 16 0 0 0 0 34 125cc World Championship Active years 2006–2007 Manufacturers Honda Championships 0 2007 championship position NC (0 pts) Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points 2 0 0 0 0 0

Shoya Tomizawa (富沢 祥也, Tomizawa Shōya) (born December 10, 1990 – died September 5, 2010) was a talented Japanese motorcycle racer. He started his career in Japan and then moved to international MotoGP events. In 2010, he competed in the new Moto2 class. Shoya won the very first Moto2 race in Qatar, showing his great skill. Sadly, he passed away after an accident during a race in San Marino.

Shoya Tomizawa's Racing Journey

Shoya Tomizawa was born in Asahi, Chiba, Japan. He began racing tiny pocket bikes when he was just three years old in 1994. By 2001, he was racing minibikes.

While studying English at Sousa High School, he started racing in the 125cc class of the All Japan Road Race Championship. He finished second in the 2006 season and was named "Rookie of the Year."

In 2007, Shoya raced in both 125cc and 250cc classes. He placed third in the 125cc and eighth in the 250cc races. In 2008, he focused on the 250cc class and finished second overall. This prepared him for racing on the world stage.

Moving to International Races

After graduating high school in 2009, Shoya joined the CIPMOTO-GP250 Team. This was his first full year of international racing. He finished 17th overall, with his best results being two tenth-place finishes. He achieved these at Motegi and Valencia, riding a Honda RS250R motorcycle.

In 2010, the 250cc class was replaced by the new Moto2 class. Shoya moved to this new class, riding a Suter bike. He made history by winning the very first Moto2 race in Qatar.

He continued his strong performance by getting his first Grand Prix pole position (starting from the very front) and finishing second in the next race in Spain. Later in the season, he earned another pole position in Brno. Shoya was doing much better than in previous years and was ranked seventh in the championship after ten races. Many people, including commentator Toby Moody, saw him as a "future star" in motorcycle racing.

A Tragic Day

Jorge Lorenzo wore a replica of Tomizawa's helmet at the 2010 Aragon Grand Prix as a mark of respect.

On September 5, 2010, Shoya Tomizawa was racing in the eleventh round of the Moto2 World Championship. This race was the San Marino Grand Prix at the Misano World Circuit.

During the 12th lap, Shoya was in fourth place. He fell at a fast corner called the Curvone after losing grip with his rear tire. He was then hit by the motorbikes of two other racers, Scott Redding and Alex de Angelis.

Shoya was quickly taken to the circuit's medical center and then to a hospital in Riccione. Sadly, he passed away from his injuries at 2:20 PM local time. He was only 19 years old. The news of his death was announced after the main MotoGP race. As a sign of respect, the flags on the podium were lowered, and the usual champagne celebration was skipped.

Shoya Tomizawa was the first racer to die on track at a Grand Prix event since his countryman Daijiro Kato in 2003. Shoya had honored Kato by placing Kato's racing number, 74, on his left shoulder.

Images for kids

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  Tomizawa at the 2009 British Grand Prix, held at Donington Park.

See also

In Spanish: Shōya Tomizawa para niños