Seira Kojima, a 15-year-old karting driver, is preparing to return to competition in Malaysia next month after recovering from serious injuries sustained earlier this year. The Japanese-Filipino teenager suffered a severe crash during the All Japan Kart Championship in April that left her with multiple fractures, including a broken collarbone and a fractured right scapula, requiring metal plates and screws.

Despite spending time in intensive care, Kojima resumed racing just three months after the accident. She attributes her swift comeback to a strong focus on rehabilitation and an unwavering determination to continue driving. Kojima’s parents initially encouraged her to quit racing and pursue other interests such as badminton, basketball, and horse riding, but ultimately supported her decision to remain in the sport.

Kojima began karting at age 10, inspired by watching Formula One races with her father. At 13, she and her family relocated to Malaysia to facilitate regular participation in regional competitions. Transitioning to the senior karting category this year, she now studies online at Soka International School Malaysia due to her demanding race schedule.

Over the past year, Kojima has accelerated her progress through a rigorous training and competition regimen, participating in approximately 30 races globally. She finished fifth in the Senior FIA Karting Arrive and Drive Asia-Pacific Championship held in Macau last month and was the highest-placed Asian driver in the Junior FIA Karting Arrive and Drive World Cup last year, where she ranked fourth overall.

Kojima’s success has earned recognition from the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, which invited her to compete in Macau. She hopes to break barriers in motor racing, a sport with very few female drivers reaching the highest levels. Since Maria Teresa de Filippis competed in Formula One in 1958, only a handful of women have attempted to qualify for an F1 race, with none securing a lasting presence on the grid.

While Kojima admires female drivers like 20-year-old Juju Noda, who races in the Japanese Super Formula Championship, she cites male drivers Nigel Mansell and Max Verstappen among her racing idols. She described Mansell’s overtaking maneuvers as “very cool” and draws inspiration from Verstappen’s four world championships.

Following her crash, Kojima experienced a loss of confidence and lingering anxiety during races, including an incident in Belgium that triggered flashbacks. She acknowledged these challenges but said she has since regained her competitive edge through careful race planning and post-session analysis.

Kojima regularly competes across Europe, where racing conditions can be more demanding due to larger fields and fewer restrictions. Next month’s event at the IEL International Karting Circuit in Malaysia will mark her return to familiar terrain. Looking ahead, she emphasized that while winning is important, she views motorsport as an opportunity to develop problem-solving skills and personal growth.

“Winning is important, but I’m 15 and I have a lot to learn about racing and life,” Kojima said. “I treat motorsport the same as life; I’m using my brain to learn to solve problems and improve.”