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.
19歳になりました✌︎✌︎
— 池江 璃花子 (@rikakoikee) 2019年7月4日
治療中は生クリームが食べられないから、
家に帰ったら美味しい生クリームが乗ったケーキが食べたい🤤🎂#mybirthday pic.twitter.com/tI5P1rT8jH
"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.
Related coverage:
Swimming: Rikako Ikee discharged from hospital in May amid leukemia fight
Swimming: Rikako Ikee says she "will not give up" on 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Battle against leukemia "harder than I thought," Japan swimmer Ikee says
