Tokyo (AFP)
Rikako Ikee, the new star of Japanese swimming, made a victorious return to competition, more than a year and a half after being hospitalized with leukemia on Saturday in Tokyo in the 50 freestyle.
The champion, given before the announcement of her favorite disease for the 100m butterfly title at the Olympic Games-2020 in Tokyo, finally postponed for a year due to a pandemic, won the event in 26 sec 32/100.
This time is 2 seconds from his best time over the distance, but nevertheless allows him to qualify for the Japanese University Championships which are to take place in October.
Released from the hospital last December after being there for ten months, Ikee resumed training in March.
"My goal was to have fun without thinking too much," said the now 20-year-old swimmer who said she was relieved.
"I was a little nervous, but I managed to do better than the time I was aiming for," observed Ikee, who has yet to make any statement on his intentions to race for the Tokyo Olympics now. set from July 23 to August 8, 2021.
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