2018 Japan Swim: Rikako Ikee 53.46 100 Free NR Race Video

2018 JAPAN SWIM (JAPANESE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS)

• Tuesday, April 3rd – Sunday, April 8th
• Tatsumi International Swim Centre, Tokyo, Japan
• LCM
• Selection meet for Asian Games, Pan Pacific Championships, Jr. Pan Pacific Championships & Youth Olympics
• Meet Site
• SwimSwam Preview
• Start Lists
• Live Results
• Day 1 Prelims/Day 1 Finals
• Day 2 Prelims/Day 2 Finals
• Day 3 Prelims/ Day 3 Finals
• Day 4 Prelims/ Day 4 Finals

Rikako Ikee, just 17, lowered her own national record in the women’s 100m freestyle while competing on night 5 of the Japan Swim. In doing so, she qualified for Pan Pacific Championships and also slides into the 6th spot among the world’s fastest this season. Watch how the race unfolded, with Ikee winning this sprint race by almost a body length.

【 #池江璃花子 またまたまたまた #日本新記録 】
#日本水泳選手権 女子100m自由形準決勝 #池江璃花子選手 が53秒46 今大会4回目の日本新記録。
BS1サブｃｈで日本選手権を生中継しています。 pic.twitter.com/Dg3dOd7FOL

— NHKスポーツ (@nhk_sports) April 7, 2018

As originally reported:

Already having a stellar meet here in Tokyo, 17-year-old Rikako Ikee added yet another historic performance to her 2018 Japan Swim collection. While competing on night 5 at the Tatsumi International Swim Centre, site of this summer’s Pan Pacific Championships, the Olympian lowered her own national record mark in the 100m freestyle en route to most likely grabbing her 3rd gold medal of the competition.

Entering this week, Ikee’s 100m freestyle fastest sat at the 53.68 clocked back in 2016 at the Asian Swimming Championships. In tonight’s semi-final, however, the teen found a new gear and, in doing so, hacked .22 off of that previous standard to check-in with a shiny new NR in 53.46. Taking into the Commonwealth Games performances from Australia, Ikee’s 53.46 now situates the thoroughbred sprinter as 6th fastest in the world this season.

Comparing her previous performance to tonight’s gold medal-garnering effort, it’s clear Ikee cranked up the speed factor heading out, bringing her opening 50 split to a super quick 25.85 to then close in 27.61.

Previous record – 26.21/27.47 = 53.68
New record – 25.85/27.61 = 53.46

Ikee took gold tonight well over half a second ahead of the rest of the field. She will contest the 100m free final tomorrow, as well as the 50m butterfly as her final event of these championships.