20-year-old Rikako Ikee has been an inspiration to so many people around the world, as the 2016 Olympic finalist and first-ever female Asian Games MVP has overcome leukemia and qualified to compete at her nation’s 2021 Olympic Trials.
We’ve heard the sprint ace describe her intense treatments during 2019 as worse than she ever could have imagined, but somehow her mental fortitude and positive outlook have helped her come out on the other side.
Following Ikee along her journey was filmmaker Hirakazu Koreeda, who just released his short film for the SK-II skincare campaign starring the talented swimmer. Entitled, The Center Lane: A Change Destiny Flim, the 5-minute vignette sends chills through viewers and is akin to the highly-impactful docu-mmercial Under Armour developed with American Olympic icon Michael Phelps, which you can re-watch here.
We see Ikee take her very first awkward dive in, her triumphant first pullup and tentative first freestyle strokes after leaving the hospital.
Hear from Ikee herself in this emotional depiction of the slim star moving from ‘always ending up in the center lane at competitions’ to ‘not being able to beat anyone.’
She also chillingly conveys that, ‘Supposedly,if there’s no relapse within 5 years, I’m cured. But it’s out of my control, so I’m just praying that I don’t relapse.’ She also identifies herself now as ‘the second Rikako Ikee; one that is the leukemia survivor.’
“The fact that I’m alive is an immense experience.”
Watch for yourself and be sure to turn on the translations within the YouTube settings.
For those who are interested, there’s a longer 10 min director’s cut as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0qJUvtsQ4c&t=145s
GO IKEEE!!!!
The post I’m looking forward most to seeing in 2021 is “Rikako Ikee Qualifies For Tokyo Olympics”. There won’t be a dry eye on SwimSwam when it happens. Please let it happen. 🙏🏼
Just did
Hero story, watching Rikako perform in Tokyo will be one of the highlights of these Games
The part where she tried diving while being skin and bones broke my heart. It’s amazing to see her back to nearly full strength. It really is a testament to her hard work, perserverance, and love of the sport. I hope to see her in Tokyo, and I will be rooting for her just as much as our American swimmers.
That also jarred me.
A downvote? Really?
What an inspiration! Wish her the best!
A downvote? Really???
Fantastic video and what an inspiration.
Best of luck with the leukemia and with your comeback. If not 2021, then 2024! Keep fighting and keep inspiring.
A downvote? Really??