After Battling Incurable Disease, 22-Year-Old Swimmer Makes a Historic Comeback With Podium Win

As far as the Japanese national record in 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly events is concerned, Rikako Ikee became a swimming sensation at a very young age. The 22-year-old swimmer, a two-time Olympian, recently gave a stellar performance at the Mare Nostrum Swim Tour getting a podium finish. But what’s more impressive is her recent podium-finish performance after her return from a deadly and incurable disease.

In 2019, Rikako Ikee contracted Leukemia when she was only 18. It hasn’t been an easy battle for her since then. But her recent performance at the swimming competition in Canet-en-Roussillon, France, spoke volumes about her resilience, strength, and passion.

Rikako Ikee’s comeback is a testament to her belief and courage

The Mare Nostrum Swim Tour is underway and its first stop was at Canet-en-Roussillon, also known as Canet. There were peak performances on both sides of the World Championships, men’s and women’s, with several of them winning various positions. But what sets Ikee’s podium finish apart from others, is that this was her first-ever win at any position since her fight with Leukemia.

The Mare Nostrum Swim Tour’s official website lists Rikako Ikee in the 3rd position in the women’s 50-meter butterfly event. She finished the race in 25.89 seconds behind Sarah Sjotrom of Sweden at 25.24 seconds (1st), and Melanie Henique of France at 25.77 seconds (2nd). But the story behind Ikee’s achievement on this tour is what makes it monumental.

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There were a lot of great moments on this swim tour. From Siobhan Haughey making a Hong Kong national record in 24.56 seconds at women’s freestyle to Tomoru Honda’s strong finish at the 200-meter butterfly event in 1:55:09, the tour witnessed terrific competition all around.

Her fellow swimmers pay tribute to Rikako Ikee

In all this razzmatazz of fellow swimmer, Rikako Ikee’s uniquely special achievement could’ve been lost. But her fellow competitors ensured it wasn’t the case. Sarah Sjostrom wrote a message in her hand as an honor to Rikako Ikee. While in one palm she had written “Rikako”, on the other palm there was a love symbol. Maggie Macneil of Canada and Emma Mckeon of Australia had also written messages on their palms as a tribute to Ikee. All three together posed for a picture with their palms displayed, and it read, “Ikee never give up Rikako”, with heart symbols in between.

This was Ikee’s first podium finish since her leukemia diagnosis. She started her journey back to swimming when she started training for the Tokyo Olympics. She wanted to represent Japan then but was still not completely fit. With the postponement of the tournament, Ikee then managed to help Japan reach the finals of the 4×100 m medley relay. She now aims even bigger for Paris Olympics next year. Her swimming career might only see an upward journey henceforth.

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