Rikako Ikee Claims Victory in 50 Butterfly at Tokyo Open

by John Lohn - Associate Editor-in-Chief

21 February 2021, 01:34pm

Rikako Ikee Claims Victory in 50 Butterfly at Tokyo Open

Will there be enough time for Rikako Ikee to get into form to qualify for this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo? That is a common question surrounding the Japanese star, who has returned to the sport from a fight with Leukemia and seemingly gets better each time she steps onto the blocks. On Sunday, Ikee located victory at the Tokyo Open.

On the heels of a sub-minute clocking in the 100-meter butterfly, Ikee won the 50 fly in 25.77. Although that event is not part of the Olympic program, the fact that Ikee produced a strong time is another sign she is regaining her past form. Whether she has enough time to get down to Japan’s stringent qualifying times for the Olympic Games is her biggest hurdle.

In the 200 breaststroke, Shoma Sato put together another superb performance, as he won the event in 2:08.24. Sato has made swift performances routine and was 2:06 in the 200 breast in January, a swim that has made him a leading medal contender at the Tokyo Games.

In other action, Nao Horomura edged Takumi Terada in the 200 butterfly. Horomura clocked in at 1:56.80, with Terada going 1:56.86. In the 200 individual medley, Yuki Ikari grabbed first place in 1:59.67.