Ikee Rikako zeroes in on LA28 post-leukemia prognosis: “Not trying to beat myself from the past anymore”

Ikee Rikako: “My focus is on overcoming who I am today”

Ikee can be 28 when LA rolls round. After beating leukemia and defying all odds to miraculously qualify for Tokyo 2020, she had excessive hopes for herself for Paris 2024 with a correct run-up to the Games.

Things didn’t prove the way in which Ikee had anticipated. In the one particular person race of the meet, the 100m butterfly, her signature race, she didn’t make it previous the semi-finals with the twelfth quickest time general.

Despite the outcomes, Ikee was proud she had certified for a 3rd successive Olympics as a result of at one level, she was dealing with the darkest chapter of her life.

Yet on the similar time, Ikee was humbled by a tough dose of actuality, the truth that she might now not be the swimmer she as soon as was previous to her sickness, the model that swept to 6 titles on the 2018 Asian Games and was named MVP.

“I’m not trying to beat myself from the past anymore,” she mentioned. “The actuality is, it’s all however unimaginable for me to do – so my focus is on overcoming who I’m right now.”

“So I can’t sit right here and say I’m that assured however I do at all times wish to be a greater model of who I’m. I’d be tremendous joyful if I can document a brand new PB (at LA).

“I used to be extremely nervous in Paris. You know the way some folks say they really feel like throwing up as a result of they’re so nervous? That’s how I felt. It was suffocating, overwhelming.

“I didn’t know what it was but pressure was all over me.”

After Paris, Ikee tried taking it straightforward. But Ikee being Ikee, she quickly discovered taking it straightforward was not her factor. Ever the competitor, the fireplace in her stomach catches too rapidly.

Then there was the inclusion of the 50m occasions for LA28. Ikee had at all times described herself as a sprinter and as destiny would have it, her fourth and last Games simply could be her greatest shot but at an elusive Olympic medal.

“I used to be taking it straightforward after the Olympics, pondering 2025 can be gradual. But as soon as I used to be again within the pool, I began to really feel like I needed to go all in once more. I assume I simply don’t know find out how to take it straightforward.

“With the 50m races now in for Los Angeles, all the highest swimmers can be eyeing it. I believe the sector can be deep and tremendous aggressive.

“Both the 50m and 100m have always been important to me, but there have been few Japanese who have been competitive in the 50m. I’ve spent the last year or so working on my mind and body so that I can keep up with the best in the world at the distance.”