They're still referencing that in a way, just with Brian doing that to herself. Bear in mind that Brian is a person here, and if her trainer tried to abuse her like that she'd just fire them, the story wouldn't work even if they wanted to go that route
Irl Biwa really did get tendonitis and retire, not die or anything, so it wouldn't be referencing that. It's just how Brian is always chasing after her. Like a time trial ghost lol