Synchronized swimmer Risako Mitsui is so focused leading up to next year's Rio de Janeiro Olympics, during a recent training camp she often had dreams of herself practicing.
"As usual, I was being yelled at by the coach," she says, referring to national team coach Masayo Imura.
The 22-year-old Mitsui prepares for a second Olympics with optimism, having made a breakthrough this summer at the FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia. Paired with Yukiko Inui, Japan's top swimmer three years her senior, the two finished third in the duet technical routine, giving Japan its first world medal in four meets spanning eight years. She later added bronze medals in the two team events.
A Tokyo native, Mitsui began synchronized swimming in the third year of primary school at the suggestion of her mother, and made her national team debut as a high school student. Mitsui is uniquely blessed in terms of physique, as she stands 1.68 meters and has broad, sturdy shoulders that show up well during performances.
"She's a bit rough, but she has vitality," says Imura.
Mitsui earned a place on Japan's team for the 2012 London Olympics as a university freshman, making her the youngest member of the squad. She saw action in the London pool, but her stay ended in disappointment as Japan finished fifth in the team event.
"I didn't know what the Olympics were like and was unable to perform to the best of my ability," she says.
Imura, who has been working full-time with Mitsui on the national team since 2014, has taught her the true meaning of "pushing beyond one's limits."
As one example, part of the national team's training menu is swimming 200 meters at full speed. As Mitsui endured the rigorous training demanded in the sport, she cut a full 10 seconds off her best time in the 200 meters in half a year.
"It was toward the end of practice [when I was timed], so I was tired," Mitsui says. "I was pretty surprised that I could generate so much power."
It's no surprise that Mitsui's ultimate goal is to win an Olympic medal.
"When you are pursuing your dream, there will be good things and bad things," she says. "All I know is that I am never going to give up, and I am going to keep pushing forward."
With the 2016 Olympic Games just around the corner, Mitsui will be pushing to get into high gear.
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