Rikako Ikee suffered from leukemia, blood cancer, two years ago and his swimming career was put on hold.
Before the cancer announcement, she was one of the Olympic gold favorites in the 100 meter butterfly, Sarah Sjöström's parade distance, which the Japanese beat the Swede in November 2018.
20-year-old Ikee was treated in hospital for ten months before she was allowed to start training again in March last year.
In August, she made a competitive comeback and during the Easter weekend came the next success: Ikee is ready for this summer's home Olympics in Tokyo.
Ikee was first in the Japanese Olympic qualifier in the 100 meter butterfly.
Although the time of 57.77 seconds was not enough to take an individual Olympic place, she swam well enough to take one of the places in the Japanese medley relay team.
Previously, she had the Olympics in Paris 2024 as the big goal.
- I did not think I would cope with the qualifying time, I am so happy, she says.
During her illness, Ikee was supported by Sarah Sjöström and when Sjöström was forced to operate on her elbow last winter after a slippery accident, she was supported by Ikee.
ARCHIVE: Tribute to the sick Rikako Ikee (July 22, 2019)