Japanese swimming star battles cancer
TOKYO: Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who won six titles at last year’s Asian Games and was considered a strong medal contender for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said on Tuesday she had been diagnosed with leukaemia.
The 18-year-old was named Japanese Swimmer of the Year last month after her recordbreaking exploits in the Jakarta pool.
“I was feeling ill and urgently came home from Australia, underwent testing and the diagnosis was leukaemia,” Ikee wrote on Twitter. “I can’t believe it, it’s a confusing situation. But with treatment this is a disease that can be cured.”
The diagnosis will deprive the world junior 50 metres freestyle, 50m butterfly and 100m butterfly champion of the chance to race at the senior world championships in Gwangju, South Korea later this year.
Ikee, who swam the fastest time in the world in the 100m butterfly and second fastest in the 50m butterfly last year, said she would miss Japan’s swimming trials to focus on treatment.
“I am going to take some time off and focus on treatment and as soon as possible I want to show an even stronger Rikako Ikee,” she added.
Ikee’s coach Jiro Miki held out hope she could compete in Tokyo, saying the “possibility was not zero”, said Ikee.
Only North Korean shooter So Gin Man, who won seven golds and a silver at New Delhi in 1982, has won more titles at one Asian Games than Ikee.
LEE CHONG DELAYS RETURN UNTIL APRIL
KUALA LUMPUR: Badminton great Lee Chong Wei aims to make his comeback in April at the Malaysia Open after a cancer battle, a month later than he originally hoped, an official confirmed Tuesday.
The three-time Olympic silver medallist and former world number has been on the sidelines since July last year when he was diagnosed with earlystage nose cancer.
The Malaysian star underwent a gruelling programme of specialist treatment in Taiwan but pledged not to retire and resumed training last month.
“I have got another appointment with my doctor in Taiwan next month. Once I get the green light from him, then I will make a full comeback,” he said.
“It isn’t time to make a full comeback yet, I have to do it slowly in stages after consulting my doctor,” said 36-year-old.