TOKYO - Swimming star Rikako Ikee, who is recovering from leukemia, received a berth at the Tokyo Olympics in the women's 4x100-meter medley relay after winning the 100 butterfly on Sunday at Japan's national championships.

Ikee was in tears after finishing in 57.77 seconds at Tokyo Aquatics Center, the Olympic swimming venue. She needed 57.92 for a place in the medley relay, while 57.10 was the Japan Swimming Federation's required standard to compete for Japan this summer in the 100 butterfly.

"I've never thought I'd be able to win the 100. I was less confident compared to the qualifier five years ago and I thought I could win only in the distant future," Ikee said.

"But I trained to win and I was saying to myself 'I'm back', as I entered this race."

Ikee was a close second at the turn before overtaking leader Ai Soma, and held off the fastest semifinalist, Suzuka Hasegawa, by 0.41 second for a memorable victory.