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Takamoto Katsuta secures his first World Rally Championship win at Safari Rally Kenya, marking a historic moment for Japanese motorsport. Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston triumph over Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux by 27.4 seconds. The victory brings an emotional response from the 32-year-old, who tears up during the post-race interview, overwhelmed by the significance of his achievement.
Katsuta becomes the first Japanese driver to win a WRC round since 1992, after a dedicated journey from circuit racing to rallying. Since joining Toyota's WRC development program in 2015, he has faced setbacks, including a recent benching for Rally Chile in 2024.
Reflecting on his victory, Katsuta expresses gratitude to his supporters and acknowledges the pressure he faced to succeed. “It is a special feeling,” he says, highlighting the emotional weight of his long-awaited triumph.
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