Japan’s Rikako Ikee defies odds by securing Tokyo Olympics berth after leukemia

Japanese swimming star Rikako Ikee defied the chances and secured an Olympics berth after the leukemia survivor gained the ladies’s 100-metre butterfly on the nationwide championships on Sunday, lower than eight months after she returned to competitors.
Ikee pumped her fist and obtained a hug from her competitor within the subsequent lane after ending in 57.77 seconds, qualifying her for the 4×100 medley relay at this summer season’s Games.
She then broke into tears and took a while to exit the water having turn into overcome with emotion at her accomplishment.

She has finished it!
Just two years after being identified with leukemia, 🇯🇵 Ikee Rikako has certified for her second Olympic Games within the 4x100m medley relay.@Tokyo2020 @rikakoikee @fina1908 @Japan_Olympichttps://t.co/q6kJWZbgQi
— Olympics (@Olympics) April 4, 2021
“I am so happy right now,” the 20-year-old mentioned in a poolside interview.
“I never thought I would be able to win the 100. I was much less confident than at the Olympic qualifiers five years ago. I thought winning was something that would only happen in the distant future.”
Ikee had been anticipated to be one in every of Japan’s prime medal hopefuls on the Tokyo Olympics earlier than she was identified with leukemia in 2019.
She battled again to health and returned to competitors in August final 12 months. But she had mentioned she was not aiming for Tokyo and that the Paris 2024 Olympics have been her aim.
“I wasn’t really aiming for victory,” Ikee mentioned.
“No matter what place I come in, I feel happy to be here.”