Sports
18:52, 03-Sep-2018
Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee named MVP of 18th Asian Games
Updated
18:13, 06-Sep-2018
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Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee was named the 2018 Indonesia Asian Games' Most Valuable Player (MVP) on Sunday after winning six gold and two silver medals.
The 18-year-old won the 50m and 100m freestyle, 50m and 100m butterfly as well as the 4x100m freestyle medley relays.
The teenager is the first female winner of the award, which has been presented at every Games since the 1998 edition in Bangkok.
She also claimed 50,000 US dollars in prize money.
Ikee told media via translator that she was surprised and happy to learn that she'd won the award after returning to Japan following the competition. "Thanks to the OCA for considering me as the candidate," she said.
She said her focus will now turn to the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. "Two years is neither long nor short, I know what I should do. I will try to achieve more in my own country."
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency