Having Defeated Leukemia, 23-Year-Old Japanese Swimmer All Set to Bag Paris Olympics Berth, Says “Want to Be a Flea”

The sporting realm is preparing for one of its most grandiose events yet- the Olympics, set to commence in July. Athletes around the world are putting in all their efforts to rise to the occasion. The swimming domain is not much behind, as its athletes are burning the midnight oil to secure the podium finish at the event. One such Japanese swimming prodigy is making waves in the sports world for her dedication and resilience, as she will be representing the Asian nation after battling leukemia. 

The swimmer is only one day ahead of the trials, and she has expressed a distinctive desire to become a flea and perform like one. Her unique wish is causing a stir on the internet and has piqued the interest of swimming fans.

Unveiling the flea mystery

As reported by Hochi News, Rikako Ikee, the 23-year-old swimmer from Tokyo, Japan is sweating it out in the training camp to fix her spot in the Olympics. Ikee is confident that she is going to Paris, and the swimmer also added that she keeps herself motivated by comparing herself to a flea. 

“I heard that if a flea is covered, it can only reach that height, but if the cover is removed and another flea jumps high, that flea will also be able to jump high. I also feel like I can jump high. When I become the one chasing them, my passion burns. I also want to become a flea,” she said in her statement.

A training camp was organized in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, for the trials that are happening on March 17 at the Tokyo Aquatics Center, where she will be up against her counterparts to make her Olympic medal dream come true. The Edogawa City native defeated leukemia in 2019, and her determination has soared to new heights ever since. She is confident to win a medal on French soil, and for that, the swimming icon has also made some significant changes in her training venue as well.

Shifting training grounds to the swimming epicenter

To train with the swimming champs, she has shifted her training base to Australia. Since autumn, Ikee has been training under coach Michael Bohl and is currently focused on improving the dolphin kicks in the starting phase of a race. She affirmed that she has improved “tremendously,” and the Japanese athlete wants to make it big at the upcoming competitions.

She had a run in the Tokyo Olympics as the swimmer could not qualify for any individual categories, which she wants to change this year by securing spots in the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle and the 100-meter butterfly. Rikako Ikee has been a fighter all her life, and her fans must be rallying behind the swimmer to make it happen at the Paris extravaganza.

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