Japan look to give ailing Ikee a lift at world swim

Japan's swimmers have promised to lift their game at next week's world championships to lift the spirits of ailing team mate Rikako Ikee in her battle with leukaemia.

The 19-year-old poster girl for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was diagnosed with the illness earlier this year and is continuing treatment back in Tokyo.

Asian champion Yui Ohashi, one of Japan's biggest medal hopes in South Korea after taking silver in the 200 metres individual medley two years ago, insisted Thursday that Ikee was on the mind of all the swimmers.

"It's a huge blow that Rikako can't be here to fight with us but she's battling hard too," Ohashi told AFP.

"Hopefully she can see us giving it everything to produce the kind of results that will give her courage and the added motivation -- that I'm sure she already has -- to return to competition."
"But knowing Rikako's character she will be anxious about Japan's results. If we give everything we have, and hopefully come away with a few medals, it will give her a lift. But first we have to get the job done."
- Alarming dip -
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"I don't want to add pressure. But they're relaxed, they're enjoying the Korean food and they're and in good spirits."
"I'm trying not to overcomplicate things. I have to be aggressive -- if I don't go out strong, I'll struggle over the second half of races."