Swimming-Leukaemia survivor Ikee defies odds by securing Olympics berth


Rikako Ikee of Japan reacts after winning the women's 100-meter butterfly final at the national swimming championships at Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo, Japan April 4, 2021, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Kyodo/via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese swimming star Rikako Ikee defied the odds and secured an Olympics berth after the leukaemia survivor won the women's 100-metre butterfly at the national championships on Sunday, less than eight months after she returned 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 4x100 medley relay at this summer's Games.

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