Swimming stars Rikako Ikee and Daiya Seto eliminated in first efforts
The leukemia survivor and her teammates fail to reach the final in the women's 4x100 freestyle relay, while Japan's gold medal favorite in the men's 400 IM suffers a shock defeat.
Japanese athletes who have overcome adversity to be at the Tokyo Games
The miraculous return of Rikako Ikee might grab headlines, but the country's swimming star isn't the only athlete who needed to battle tough times to qualify for the Games.
Japanese swimming star Rikako Ikee answers anti-Olympic messages
"Even if you want me to oppose (holding the Olympics), nothing I say will change anything," she said.
Re-promoted Terunofuji, inspired by Rikako Ikee and Hideki Matsuyama, eyes yokozuna rank
The ozeki cited the Olympic-bound swimmer and Masters-winning golfer as examples he wishes to follow as he attempts to cap off his dramatic comeback story with sumo's highest honor.
Rikako Ikee vows to provide big performance at Tokyo Olympics
Swimming star Rikako Ikee vowed Saturday to make her presence felt at the Tokyo Olympics this summer after she dramatically earned her spot on Japan's team this month as she continues her recovery from leukemia. The 20-year-old, diagnosed with the disease in February 2019, stunned ...
Rikako Ikee's already exhilarating comeback from leukemia just getting started
The return of the nation's swimming queen has been one of the biggest feel-good stories in Japanese sports this year.
Gracenote Sports expects the host nation to improve as much as 40% over its performances at the Rio Games, with swimming and judo considered the most likely to add golds.
Japan names swimming team for Tokyo Olympics
While the squad features a number of fresh faces, there are also veterans who have already achieved global success, such as Daiya Seto, Kosuke Hagino and Ryosuke Irie.
Just over two years after her leukemia diagnosis, the star swimmer is now poised to become a symbol of hope for Japan after qualifying for several relay events at the games.
Rikako Ikee claims two more titles but misses individual Olympic spot
Ikee, who only resumed training in March last year after being diagnosed with cancer in February 2019, won both the 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle at the national championships.
Ikee earns Olympic berth in 4x100 freestyle relay with latest win
Ikee won in 53.98 seconds and has now qualified for two Olympic events. Her 100 butterfly victory on Sunday at Tokyo Aquatics Centre earned her a place on Japan's 4x100 medley relay team.
Rikako Ikee adds Tokyo Olympic berth to emotional comeback story
The 20-year-old swimming star, who is recovering from leukemia, punched her ticket to the games by winning the 100-meter butterfly final at the national championships on Sunday.
