KYODO NEWS - Jul 4, 2019 - 22:21 | All, Sports

Japanese swimming sensation Rikako Ikee said on her 19th birthday on Thursday she is looking forward to many "good experiences" as she continues her battle against leukemia.

"I had a lot of good experiences when I was 18. As a 19-year-old, I want to increase the number of good things and good days that I enjoy," she said on her official website.

Ikee, who revealed her leukemia diagnosis in February, posted photos of a surprise party her friends threw for her when she was temporarily discharged from the hospital.

"Since I can't have whipped cream when I'm undergoing treatment, I want to have some cake with really good whipped cream when I go home," she said on Twitter.

The teenager, considered a strong medal contender for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics until her diagnosis, has put all swimming-related activities on hold to focus on treatment. But she has said she will not give up on competing at the next Summer Games on home soil.

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