Japanese swimming star Ikee diagnosed with leukemia
TOKYO >> Japanese swimming star Rikako Ikee has been diagnosed with leukemia less than 18 months before the Olympics in Tokyo.
The 18-year-old Ikee won six gold medals at the Asian Games in Jakarta last year and was tipped to be one of the faces of the 2020 Olympics in her home country.
She posted on her verified Twitter account Tuesday that her illness surfaced when she got tests after returning from a training trip to Australia.
“I still can’t believe it, and I am in a state of confusion,” she wrote.
Officials of the Japan Swimming Federation called a news conference and said Ikee was at a hospital being treated.
Ikee expressed hopes for recovery but acknowledged she could not compete for a while.
“I will take some days off for now and focus on my treatment to do my utmost so that I can show you as soon as possible an even more powerful Rikako Ikee,” she said.
Ikee wrote optimistically on Twitter about her chance for a recovery.
“It is a sickness for which there is recovery with proper treatment,” she said. “It would make me happy if you would all continue to warmly watch over me.”
Schipperke ruled out for top prize
NEW YORK >> Dog drama at Westminster: The schipperke got skipped.
A day after earning a coveted spot in the final ring of seven at the Westminster Kennel Club, Colton the schipperke was ruled ineligible for best in show.
There was a conflict of interest — top judge Peter Green’s longtime partner has co-owned dogs with one of Colton’s co-owners, including 2013 Westminster champion Banana Joe the affenpinscher.
Spirited and compact, Colton was going to be allowed to walk on to the green carpet at Madison Square Garden when the finalists are announced. Judge Peter Green was then to excuse Colton from the ring, leaving only six contenders for the big prize.
“This doesn’t negate all he’s done here,” handler Christa Cook said as she brushed Colton’s colt backstage at the Garden. “It’s been a great experience, his accomplishment is in the book forever.”
Never before at Westminster had a schipperke taken the highly competitive nonsporting group, which includes poodles and bichon frises.
Opelka ousts Mannarino
UNIONDALE, N.Y. >> Reilly Opelka ousted No. 5 seed and 2018 semifinalist Adrian Mannarino of France 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 on Tuesday at the New York Open.
Opelka upset fellow American John Isner in January at the Australian Open. Isner is the No. 1 seed this week in the indoor tournament on Long Island and plays his opening match Wednesday.
Notre Dame receiver charged in assaults
SOUTH BEND, IND. >> Notre Dame redshirt sophomore receiver Javon McKinley has been charged in an assault on two campus officers.
Court documents say McKinley punched the officers around 4 a.m. Sunday as they tried to help him from an Uber vehicle to his dorm at the school in South Bend. The officers said he had passed out in the car and that they smelled alcohol on his breath.
The Indianapolis Star reports that the 6-foot-2-inch and 215-pound McKinley is charged with misdemeanor battery and illegal consumption of alcohol.
McKinley has been released on bond and is due in court Feb. 28.
Notre Dame spokesman Dennis Brown said “the incident is being handled by the criminal justice system.”