Leukemia-hit swimming star Rikako Ikee on Saturday played down her chance of competing at this summer's Tokyo Olympics after she met the women's 100-meter freestyle entry standard for an April Olympic qualifying meet.
The 20-year-old, who was out of action for 19 months after being diagnosed with the disease in February 2019, clocked 55.35 seconds to place fourth at the Kosuke Kitajima Cup, earning her the right to participate in Japan's national championships in three months.
In her first competition of the year, Ikee swam 56.16 during a heat at Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center to meet the nationals' entry standard of 56.53. She cut her time by 0.81 second in the final, won by Natsumi Sakai in 54.48.