Australia-raised Kenneth To ready to switch to Hong Kong with eye on Asian Games and Tokyo Olympics
The 24-year-old is a former Aussie world championship swimmer and is expected to make a major impact on the local scene
Hong Kong is giving Kenneth To King-him a second chance.
For the former Australian swimmer, a new life in the pool could be on the horizon after he decided to return to Hong Kong to represent the place of his birth.
“I have submitted documents to [swimming world body] Fina regarding the change of my nationality and I should be able to represent Hong Kong at international level next year,” said the 24-year-old, who is in Hong Kong for the two-day Airweave World Cup series. “The decision was made in June after the Australian Olympic trials following some discussion with my Hong Kong girlfriend and also because I think it’s time for a change after spending many years in Australia.”
According to Fina rules, To must wait one year before he can don the Hong Kong colours but already there are a host of crucial events on the schedule under his new identity.
“The 2017 World University Games, the National Games and the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia are all on my agenda as I look forward to representing Hong Kong in all these major games,” said To, who is currently staying at the Hong Kong Sports Institute as a senior squad member. “The ultimate target will be the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020.”