[ad_1]
Rikako Ikee was diagnosed with leukemia in 2019; the Japanese swimmer got back into shape and returned to competition last August; she said she was not aiming for Tokyo 2020; “I wasn’t really aiming for victory. No matter where I come from, I feel happy to be here.”
By Reuters
Last updated: 04/04/21 12:15 pm
Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee has booked a spot at the Olympics after winning the 100-meter butterfly final at the Japanese championship
Japanese swimming star Rikako Ikee defied the odds and secured a berth at the Olympics after the leukemia survivor won the women’s 100-meter butterfly at the national championships on Sunday, less than eight months after returning to competition .
Ikee pumped her fist and received a hug from her competitor in the next lane after finishing in 57.77 seconds, qualifying her for the 4×100 medley relay at this summer’s Games.
She then burst into tears and took a long time to come out of the water after being overwhelmed by the emotion of her accomplishment.
“I’m so happy right now,” the 20-year-old said in a poolside interview.
“I never thought I could win the 100. I was a lot less confident than I was in Olympic qualifying five years ago. I thought winning was something that would only happen in the distant future.”
Rikako Ikee has made remarkable return to competition since treating leukemia diagnosed in February 2019
Ikee was expected to be one of Japan’s best medal prospects at the Tokyo Olympics before being diagnosed with leukemia in 2019.
She got back into shape and returned to competition in August of last year. But she said she was not targeting Tokyo and that the Paris 2024 Olympics were her goal.
“I wasn’t really aiming for the win,” Ikee said. “No matter where I come from, I feel happy to be here.”
[ad_2]
Source link
