Leukemia survivor Rikako Aoki won four wins in Japan’s Olympic Swimming Trial on Saturday. Iki, who began training in March last year after being diagnosed with cancer in February 2019, won the 50m Butterfly and 50m Freestyle in two victories claimed earlier this week in Tokyo.
She had already entered the final day of the trial for the coronovirus-delayed Tokyo Games in Japan’s medley and 4×100-meter freestyle relay teams, which doubled as Japan’s national championship.
But her 24.84-second time in the 50-meter freestyle – her only qualifier of the day as the 50-meter butterfly is not an Olympic event – was not enough to earn her a personal berth at the Games.
“I wanted a better time, but the most important thing was that I won my fourth title, so I’m very happy,” said Ikey, who insisted on the Paris Games in 2024 ahead of the trials that took place.
“I wasn’t sure what the outcome would be until the race took place, but as soon as I came out of the pool, I was ready to win,” he said.
Ikey was named the MVP of the 2018 Asian Games after claiming six gold and two silvers, and was expected to be one of the stars of the Tokyo Games.
But after suffering from leukemia, he was hospitalized for about 10 months, and was resumed in August last year.
She won the 50m butterfly at the Tokyo Open in February after her comeback.
And he booked his place in Japan’s medley relay team by winning the 100-meter butterfly in this week’s match.
She won the 100m freestyle to claim a place in the 4m 100m relay team, but thought of dropping out of the 50m events after fatigue.
He is now determined to “contribute to the relay team” when the game takes place early this summer.
Promoted
“Once I decided to compete, I knew I had to do it properly,” she said.
“I’ve got a few months to go before the Olympics, and I think I can build some strength before that.”
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