Rikako Ikee, a swimmer, participated in the final tournament before the Tokyo Olympics, breaking the Japanese record for two days in a row at the women's 200-meter relay and giving momentum to the Olympics.
Ikee, whose 21st birthday is on the 4th, was a member of the team that entered the women's 400m relay at the Tokyo Olympics, and was held in Sagamihara City with Chihiro Igarashi, Natsumi Sakai, and Rika Oomoto. I participated in.
According to the competition schedule of the Tokyo Olympics, the four races are scheduled for qualifying on the afternoon of the 3rd, and on the 4th, the women's 200m relay race was held after 10:30 am in anticipation of the final. I swam this time.
Looking ahead to the actual performance, Ikee, who swam as the second swimmer after Igarashi, the first swimmer, jumped in with a takeover time of 0 seconds 34, which is 0 seconds 17 later than the 3rd, but showed a powerful swim of 50 meters. The lap time was set to 24.71, which was faster than 3 days, and was handed over to Sakai, the third swimmer.
The 200-meter relay is an event that will not be held at the Olympics, but the time marked 1 minute 39 seconds 67, which is 0 seconds 15 faster than the 3rd, breaking the Japanese record for the second consecutive day.
Ikee recalled about the race, "I think the takeover time was delayed due to tension, but there is room for growth. It was a good rehearsal to get the most out of it in the morning."
For the Tokyo Olympics, "I'm looking forward to telling my overseas rivals that I'm back. I want to swim in the fastest time of the team because I swim in the race. Although the relay event is very high in the world level I want to eat it, "he said with enthusiasm.
Tears on the message to celebrate the birthday on the electric bulletin board at the venue
After the women's 200-meter relay race in which Ikee swam, a message celebrating Ikee's birthday was displayed on the electric bulletin board, and warm applause was sent from the entire venue.
Ikee, who had just risen from the pool, responded by holding his face with his right hand and bowing his head with tears.
Ikee said, "I don't know if it's the best in Japan or the best in the world, but I thought I was a happy swimmer. I'm happy to set a Japanese record in both the last race at the age of 20 and the first race at the age of 21." ..
Regarding the aspirations of 21 years old, "I have decided to lose, so I want to be a strong player who will be second to none when I turn 22 next year. For that reason, I have various experiences as a representative of Japan at 21 years old. I want to do this and connect it to my future competitive life. "