Rikako Ikee Goes Sub-1:00 In First 100 Fly Return Race

2021 TOKYO OPEN

  • Saturday, February 20th & Sunday, February 21st
  • Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Centre
  • LCM (50m)
  • Results (in Japanese)

Leukemia survivor Rikako Ikee may be downplaying any aspirations of competing at a home-based Olympic Games this summer, but the 20-year-old is registering times that put her on the right trajectory.

While competing on day 1 of the 2021 Tokyo Open, Ikee raced her first butterfly event since returning to competition post-treatment. She had raced the 50m free and 100m free a handful of times toward the end of last year, but today marked the first time the national record holder took on the event in which she finaled at the 2016 Olympic Games.

After logging a solid morning swim of 1:00.06 to make the A final, Ikee landed on the podium this evening with a quicker 59.44. Opening in 27.75 and closing in 31.69, the Renaissance swimmer wrangled up bronze behind winner Makino Hiroko (58.63) and runner-up Kizu Kichihana (59.35).

In addition to hitting a sub-minute milestone, Ikee’s outing here dips under the qualification standard needed to contest the event at the 2021 Japan Swim set for April, the sole Olympic-qualifying opportunity for the nation of Japan.

The Japanese Swimming Federation (JASF)-dictated qualifying standard for the Olympic Games rests at a stiff 57.10.

Once again, Ikee addressed any Tokyo Games’ hopes, saying post-race, “I can’t say that I’m aiming for it now. When we start to get results that are world-class, we will think about it at that time.

Ikee owns the Japanese national record in the 100m fly with her lifetime best of 56.08.

In This Story

6
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

6 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Hswimmer
3 years ago

So inspiring to all.

Mr Piano
3 years ago

She’s amazing!

Coach Mike 1952
3 years ago

Is this great news or what? Totally cool. Very inspiring young lady – as said before, a real samurai warrior. Wishing her the continued strength to complete her comeback stronger than ever.

Last edited 3 years ago by Coach Mike 1952
Vijay Rego
3 years ago

Such an inspiring story of survival and spirit. Here’s wishing her all the best!

Troyy
3 years ago

I wonder what the reasoning is behind having qualifying standards tighter than the FINA A standards when it’s a home Olympics?

ihate myself
3 years ago

I never really draw inspiration from anybody because everybody has different setbacks and opportunities but this is really inspiring.

About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

Read More »