Japanese schoolgirl swimmer set to melt hearts in Rio

Ah, Japanese and crying. Pose for the staff pic, hands in lap if you are a woman, hands on each leg if you are a man: no smiles allowed! No public hugging or displays of affection, or "I love you!" like those over-emotional foreigners! BUT! a baseball game, soccer qualifier, or other important sport? turn on the water works, win or lose. Even the former Rugby coach was shaking his head about why all the players were balling when they won.

Moderator: No Japan-bashing please.

Brilliant name for a swimmer: いけえええ！

Good luck to her! Good to have some young swimming talent here. Crying won't win the hearts of others, though, so put all those tears and effort into winning!

Nice story, I wish her well.

I think she just may win a gold medal by the time the Tokyo Olympics come around.

Good luck to her! 16 is definitely not too young to blitz records and nab olympic golds in swimming. CHoosing to challenge for 7 events shows she is supremely confident for a high school girl. Can Ms Ikee become the new "Frog" (Kitajima)?

No offence to the girl but think she has been hyped by the J-media as the super kokosei She might be super in Japan but in the world and the olympics with all the pressure it left to seen how will handle the pressure.

Hope she does well. Will keep an eye out for her events.