World rally champions and led the plaudits for after the Japanese driver clinched an emotional maiden WRC win at Safari Rally Kenya.
Katsuta and co-driver ’s breakthrough triumph in what shall be considered one among hardest rallies in latest WRC historical past is more likely to be the overwhelming contender because the feelgood story of the 2026 season.
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Kastuta took victory on his 94th WRC begin, changing into the primary Japanese driver to win a WRC spherical since Kenjiro Shinozuka claimed Rallye Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) in 1992.
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As one of the likeable and hard-working characters within the WRC, it got here as no shock that the win generated equally as many cheers from his rivals as those who got here from Katsuta himself.
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Within the instant aftermath of the win, Katsuta was fast to reward his Toyota workforce and 2019 world champion Tanak. Katsuta revealed on the eve of the season opener in Monte Carlo that shut pal Tanak has been appearing as a mentor this 12 months.
“I do not know what to say,” stated an emotional Katsuta. “We had so many tough moments. Aaron labored very onerous with me and the workforce all the time believed in me, even after I failed. Due to the entire workforce. Due to them and Aaron, my household are all the time a giant supporter.
“Lastly, right here. So many moments, so many issues taking place. Thanks to Ott. He is been there each single second, sending me messages. He was waking up sooner than me. I did it, because of you.”
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Tanak, who’s taking a sabbatical from full-time rallying this 12 months, was fast to put up on social media as soon as Katsuta secured the victory.
Ott Tanak, Hyundai World Rally Crew
Ott Tanak, Hyundai World Rally Crew
“I’m actually happy with you my pal! I understand how a lot this implies to you and the way a lot work is behind it. First one within the books and now eyes ahead. Properly completed Taka-san,” learn a put up from Tanak’s social media.
Congratulations additionally got here from Katsuta’s shut pal, former Toyota team-mate and two-time WRC champion Rovanpera.
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“I’m actually blissful to see Taka get his win. It was tremendous thrilling to look at the final day and I used to be positively far more nervous myself than in all probability after I was driving or preventing for wins, that tells you the way excited I used to be and the way necessary it was for me additionally,” stated Rovanpera, who swapped WRC for a profession in single-seater racing this 12 months in Japan’s Tremendous Components.
“Personally, I’ve been with Taka many, a few years for the nice moments and the unhealthy moments, for each of us. Now we have been supporting one another a lot and going by means of these ups and downs, it’s all the time actually emotional to see him get it [the win]. It’s actually deserved particularly this 12 months and on this 12 months’s situations the place you’ve a battle to even get by means of.
“It’s absolutely deserved. It was very well completed and I can’t wait to see Taka to go and have a good time this win, I’m actually happy with him.”
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Kalle Rovanpera, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Kalle Rovanpera, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Katsuta’s present Toyota WRC team-mates couldn’t disguise their appreciation of the victory both, having witnessed the years of dedication and the 32-year-old’s dedication to answer setbacks throughout his profession.
“All people likes Taka and all people will get on with him,” stated present championship chief . “On the finish of the day, he has labored very, very onerous and may be very deserving of the win so I’m very blissful for him and Aaron.”
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Monte Carlo winner added: “Unbelievable. In the event you ask within the service park who they need to win it’s positively Taka. It’s unbelievable, all of the onerous work he has put in and the fervour he has. As a Solberg I really like the fervour. He actually deserves this and to see this pleasure. The primary win is all the time very particular.”
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