{"id":358994,"date":"2019-03-19T05:53:20","date_gmt":"2019-03-19T12:53:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=358994"},"modified":"2019-03-19T10:24:35","modified_gmt":"2019-03-19T17:24:35","slug":"hong-kong-national-record-holder-kenneth-to-dies-at-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/hong-kong-national-record-holder-kenneth-to-dies-at-26\/","title":{"rendered":"Passages: Hong Kong National Record Holder Kenneth To Dies at 26"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sixteen-time Hong Kong National Record Holder and four-time World Championship medalist Kenneth To<\/strong> died at a training session on March 18.<\/p>\n

According to the Gator Swim Club, To was training in Gainesville when he went to the locker room after not feeling well.\u00a0 To was training with the Gator Swim Club in preparation for the 2019 World Championships and 2020 Olympics.<\/p>\n

The cause of his death is still uncertain.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are all very shocked and saddened by Kenny\u2019s passing and wish his family and friends strength at this incredibly difficult time,\u201d Swimming Australia National Head Coach Jacco Verhaeren<\/strong> said.\u00a0\u201cHe was a much-loved team member with a determined spirit and wonderful personality, so he will be missed by all his peers, coaches and staff.<\/span><\/p>\n

Personally, I was fortunate to work closely with Kenny in the lead up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games. In that year he suffered a bad back injury after qualification and although he could have pulled out, he refused to give up on the team and did everything he could \u2013 it showed the resilience that was instilled in him and was a testament to his character.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Many former teammates, competitors and coaches have put out similar statements via social media:<\/p>\n

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We are are extremely saddened by the sudden passing of our friend, mentor and Australian Dolphins team member Kenneth To. He was a much-loved teammate and we send his family and friends strength at this incredibly difficult time.<\/a><\/p>\n

A post shared by Australian Dolphins Swim Team<\/a> (@dolphinsaus) on