Rikako Ikee Wins Three Titles at Japan Championships Amid Strong Performance Run

At the “101st Japan Swimming Championships” held from March 19 to 22 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, Rikako Ikee (25, Yokohama Rubber) won all three of her entered events: the women’s 50m butterfly, 100m butterfly, and 50m freestyle, achieving a triple crown. Behind her excellent form was the presence of Kosuke Hagino (31), whom FRIDAY previously reported as her romantic partner. This is a look back based on an article published on February 28, 2026.

Squeezing time out of a busy schedule

In early February on a weekend, a car that shimmered like gold medal colors under the sunlight pulled into a convenience store in Tokyo. Stepping out of the driver’s seat was a woman with an aura that matched the flashy car—swimming star Rikako Ikee.

Next to her was a large-built man dressed in an equally distinctive outfit: a reddish-brown paisley jacket and purple sneakers. He was Kosuke Hagino, the legendary swimmer who won gold in the 400m individual medley at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The two chatted casually while efficiently picking up snacks and drinks. It was likely preparation for the drive ahead. As if saying, “The long-course journey to the destination is my stage,” Hagino smoothly slipped into the driver’s seat, while Ikee took the passenger seat in perfect sync. The gold medal car quietly set off.

The two are top athletes Japan’s swimming world is proud of. One might assume they were heading to a training facility, but instead the car went onto the Metropolitan Expressway, then the Tomei Expressway, stopped at Ebina Service Area for a break—and then were they heading to Hakone?

“Actually, these two have been in a serious relationship since around last autumn. On this day, they used a rare day off to go on a hot spring trip to Hakone in Ikee’s car. Ikee is training intensely every day aiming for the Los Angeles Olympics, and Hagino is busy traveling nationwide for commentary work and swimming classes. On this day as well, Ikee finished morning practice and Hagino joined her after finishing a live radio broadcast,” said a person close to Hagino.

At their destination, instead of a pool, they spent time in a warm hot spring, enjoying time alone together. Perhaps the trip was enjoyable, as Ikee updated her Instagram on February 11, posting memories from the trip.

Based on the post, they appeared to have stayed at a four-star inn famous for its private open-air baths. The accompanying music was the love ballad “Snowman” by Australian singer Sia. The lyric in the chorus—“Wherever the seasons change, you are my home”—may have reflected Ikee’s feelings for Hagino.

“She likely had only a short, rushed trip since training resumed early the following week. Even so, it seems she was able to relax a little,” said the same source.

Two people who had seemed like close siblings

Speaking of Ikee Rikako and Hagino Kosuke, their tearful hug at the 2024 Paris Olympics was particularly memorable. Ikee, who was aiming for a comeback after battling leukemia, secured a spot in an individual event for the first time in two Olympic cycles.

However, she was eliminated in the semifinals and cried openly by the poolside without concern for onlookers. Hagino, who had come as a reporter to cover her, gently embraced Ikee after the interview and praised her effort.

“Their first meeting dates back to 2016, when Ikee made the Rio Olympic team. Even back then, Ikee admired Hagino, and when Hagino posted a ‘kimo-dori’ (a cheeky posed photo) showing off his shoe collection on Instagram, Ikee posted a photo in the same pose to tease him. Before the Tokyo Olympics, Hagino also encouraged Ikee by telling her things like, ‘Let’s win gold together.’ To those around them, they looked like close siblings,” said a swimming association source.

The relationship between the two began to change around June last year. Ikee had been training in Australia since 2023, but in early 2025, the coach she had been working with suddenly moved his base of operations to China. After that, she trained under a different coach, but eventually decided to return her training base to Japan.

It was Hagino whom Ikee turned to after losing her trusted coach.

“As they talked about various things, their distance naturally seemed to have shortened. Hagino married singer-songwriter miwa in 2019. They had their first child, but due to conflicting schedules caused by their busy lives, they divorced in 2024. Since he is divorced and has a child, I felt a bit uneasy when I heard about this story but the two have known each other for over 10 years, so it seems my concerns were unnecessary,” said the aforementioned acquaintance.

Are the two actually in a relationship? In response to FRIDAY’s inquiry, Ikee’s agency stated, “Regarding private matters, we leave decisions to the individual, so we will refrain from confirming details or providing comments.” Hagino’s agency similarly said, “We leave private matters to the individual, so we will refrain from commenting,” neither confirming nor denying the relationship.

For Ikee, who is currently in intensive training ahead of the Japanese Championships in March, Hagino’s presence is significant.

“After all, she is receiving direct advice from a former gold medalist. It is said that they are not yet living together in order to focus on competition. If the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which she considers her culmination, are truly her final major goal, Ikee will be 28 years old by then. Perhaps their relationship may move to the next stage after that,” the source added.

Behind Ikee’s excellent form is Hagino

In March’s tournament, Ikee achieved a brilliant triple crown victory. In the 50m event, she also broke the selection standard time for the international competition scheduled for September, the “Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games,” earning a spot on the national team. She is currently training daily in preparation for that event.

Meanwhile, on May 1, Ikee appeared on the TBS program “A-Studio+.” She spoke about her current situation and personal life. Just before the recording, she had reportedly swum 6,000 meters, saying:

“It’s a period where I’m really pushing my training hard.”

On the other hand, she also revealed that the night before, she had gone to a yakitori restaurant and had two or three alcoholic drinks, adding:

“I don’t really follow strict diet control. I eat and drink without worrying too much.”

When asked, “What if you weren’t a swimmer?”, she replied with a smile:

“If I were just a regular working adult, I would have liked to try things like saying, ‘Ah, I missed my train,’ and stuff like that. Also, I probably shouldn’t say this out loud, but maybe going to a group date.”

Even so, when asked about the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, she said, “Of course I’m aiming for it,” and added:

“I feel like life would be boring if I were just a swimmer. Of course I want to go. I do want to go, but I don’t think that’s everything.”

She spoke honestly about her complex feelings.

“Around this time, she still doesn’t have a fixed dedicated coach. People around her all say that Hagino’s presence has been very significant in her winning the triple crown in March. He is likely still giving her various kinds of advice, and it seems their relationship is continuing as the best of partners both personally and professionally,” said a sports newspaper reporter.

Having fully returned to top form, Ikee is aiming for even greater heights with her ideal partner by her side.