Friday, March 22, 2019

'It hurts so much to admit he's gone': Kenneth To's girlfriend on his shock death

Source Website: https://www.asiaone.com/asia/it-hurts-so-much-admit-hes-gone-kenneth-tos-girlfriend-his-shock-death
By Unus Alladin, South China Morning Post, Asiaone, 21 March 2019


Kenneth To and Kelly Kwong had been a couple since 2015.
PHOTO: Kenneth To and Kelly Kwong had been a couple since 2015.
PHOTO: Instagram
Picture posted by Unus Alladin, South China Morning Post, Asiaone on 21 March 2019https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEH5IBCGXuGCRKnNkjP3Xb4hiKVNyGijHuJrJftvwsghIHjA4joB_6WUSg2_Cd1lzmpD3EJWuy7VBxTJnNd67njza0N6wWcmNC5nl8giDT6gwuXL3Q2nLpHOX_w1Yns1vm1J0eXZ-J34c/s1600/210319_couple_scmp_1.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/700x500/public/original_images/Mar2019/210319_couple_scmp.jpg?itok=FLemo0dU
https://www.asiaone.com/asia/it-hurts-so-much-admit-hes-gone-kenneth-tos-girlfriend-his-shock-death


They were one of the happiest Hong Kong sports couples with so much going for each other until tragedy struck. Kenneth To King-him died suddenly on Monday night, leaving behind countless friends and family.

He also leaves behind his girlfriend, Kelly Kwong Ka-yi, who was left devastated by the Hong Kong record-breaking swimmer's death in Florida. He had been training at the Gator Swim Club of the University of Florida, and died in hospital after feeling unwell following a warm-up before practice.


They were one of the happiest Hong Kong sports couples with so much going for each other until tragedy struck.
PHOTO: They were one of the happiest Hong Kong sports couples with so much going for each other until tragedy struck. Kenneth To King-him died suddenly on Monday night, leaving behind countless friends and family.
Picture posted by South China Morning Post, Line Today on 21 March 2019 at 07.03
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https://today.line.me/id/pc/article/It+hurts+so+much+to+admit+he+s+actually+gone+Kenneth+To+s+girlfriend+opens+up+on+his+shock+death-pNKMma


To, who was born in Hong Kong but emigrated to Australia at the age of two, had always said that one of the reasons he returned to the city in 2016 was because he wanted to be with Kwong. They had met for the first time a year earlier and their love blossomed.


Time flies with you by my side.
PHOTO: "Time flies with you by my side. Had a nice trip up the coast exploring Newcastle with Kelly!"
Picture posted by Kenneth To - 杜敬謙 Dù jìng qiān @kennethkhto on 30 December 2018 at 2:10 AM
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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DvqCvCxVAAE2a6y.jpg
https://twitter.com/kennethkhto/status/1079318841010708480/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1079318841010708480&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asiaone.com%2Fasia%2Fit-hurts-so-much-admit-hes-gone-kenneth-tos-girlfriend-his-shock-death


To met Kwong during the 2015 World Cup short-course meeting in Hong Kong where Kwong worked as an announcer. They had a lot of things in common, not least their love for the sport.

Kwong's parents are swimming instructors and run the Lai Wa Swimming Club. She also trained as a swimmer and understands the kind of work needed to be a world-class swimmer.

She took a different path to To, graduating from the language department of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and completing a masters in speech therapy at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She works as a speak therapist.

To had praised Kwong for introducing him to Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Sports Institute, where he continued his swimming career in the most prominent way, producing 17 Hong Kong records.


Great few days so far on our Christmas holiday.
PHOTO: "Great few days so far on our Christmas holiday. Weather in Sydney has been amazing!"
Picture posted by Kenneth To - 杜敬謙 Dù jìng qiān @kennethkhto on 25 December 2018 at 7:01 PM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOKvvivb4pnstTLRTNFZwLbynXDMHWk6xDY0qVpYiNxWq6zgyHgJ3PyUW_Jc6fXxwNwqBNXvBJMVW9S-7-lRwo5ZvnZGmggBgiPFXfVWg4MMK0xgifdbMAB1XiUX5xDzcJWkLk9G7jj4/s1600/DvT6GvIVYAA1GAw.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DvT6GvIVYAA1GAw.jpg
https://twitter.com/kennethkhto/status/1077761211645607936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1077761211645607936&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asiaone.com%2Fasia%2Fit-hurts-so-much-admit-hes-gone-kenneth-tos-girlfriend-his-shock-death


And To had always professed his love for Kwong, not feeling shy even in front of cameras during interviews to say that Kwong had always been the girl for him and they were a match made in heaven. "I love you very much," he said to Kwong during one interview, adding that Kwong could be credited for helping him brush up on his Cantonese.

When To first trained at the Hong Kong Sports Institute he was excited with the facilities at his disposal and he thanked Kwong.


Thanks @cathaypacific for flying Kelly and I back to visit Sydney.
PHOTO: "Thanks @cathaypacific for flying Kelly and I back to visit Sydney. We look forward to a great Christmas & New Year holiday! "
"Cool one Kenneth! Wish you a Merry Christmas:) Enjoy your holidays in Sydney! See you on board soon YEAH!!" - Dan, Cathay Pacific@cathaypacific on 22 December 2018
Picture posted by Kenneth To - 杜敬謙 Dù jìng qiān @kennethkhto on 22 December 2018 at 4:26 PM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvMgcVrIALGFmzS-lChDFYhpR4xAfhrrSS_lW03cyH44n_-dq4rtzWWghlsimHRDPotWPILoytmvXq-xLqxK_GwnHS_dJYWmazP8MyGA11A6-avxaAAfjHRQFngWpIoGCM2j41_-yWUw/s1600/DvD54LqU0AAkqaU.jpg+large.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DvD54LqU0AAkqaU.jpg:large
https://twitter.com/kennethkhto/status/1076635068368441345/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1076635068368441345&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asiaone.com%2Fasia%2Fit-hurts-so-much-admit-hes-gone-kenneth-tos-girlfriend-his-shock-death


"Thank you Kelly for suggesting that I come to Hong Kong to swim. There are facilities in the gymnasium, including accommodation, swimming pools, physical fitness rooms, dietitians, scientific research, etc.

"I don't have this kind of treatment in Australia. In Australia, I often practise with some student swimmers but now I can train with full-time swimmers in Hong Kong. The swimmers are training together and progressing faster."


Kenneth To and Kelly Kwong at an official event together.​
PHOTO: Kenneth To and Kelly Kwong at an official event together.​
Photo: Instagram
Picture posted by Unus Alladin, South China Morning Post, Asiaone on 21 March 2019
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIL15zyxcQ0ztNV8rkwJjTMWDw4j59J-6tvhZ1Qt-fZYHKf5M9XLV8yMkm8Ggzsz8glJa9eGFERd7P7NODedP-qp1AExcSW9jYPEx4pzQKcQf6KyNBtPsHC26uEa3vEENgeNDvzrwPEE/s1600/19089_1553151983_1.png
https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/inline/images/19089_1553151983.png
https://www.asiaone.com/asia/it-hurts-so-much-admit-hes-gone-kenneth-tos-girlfriend-his-shock-death


Kwong finally summoned the courage to break her silence, saying on Instagram: "Thank you for your support, I finally have the courage to read the comments.

"It's really hard to stay strong coz it hurts so much to admit that he's actually gone ... but I'll try, try to be tough like he used to be, and what he would want me to be."


The girlfriend of renowned Hong Kong swimmer Kenneth To King-him is heartbroken over his death, but vows to stay strong going forward.
PHOTO: The girlfriend of renowned Hong Kong swimmer Kenneth To King-him is heartbroken over his death, but vows to stay strong going forward.
Kelly Kwong Ka-yi, flew to the United States after hearing the devastating news. She also replied to her friends' messages of condolences on Instagram yesterday.
"Thank you everyone for your support, I finally have the courage to read the comments, it's really hard to admit that he's actually gone but I'll try, try to be tough like he used to be, and what he would want me to be," wrote Kwong, who had been a couple with To since 2015.
Kenneth To had told the media the biggest reason he returned to the SAR in 2016 was because he wanted to be with Kwong.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOP4MZqPcV5gbJQSFgE2fS9tmVDEdRAGjt_eITxCSvzmXHNEBHIfpb-8Di4l2nT2t_V9LTqicXRW67VkCDH5EyxRcRsMPozYyCnBxBI-qy5DHpRPNwgTydXli7s_OSzX6ucwohRWnDvA/s1600/50033495contentPhoto1.jpg
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/newsImage/20190321/50033495contentPhoto1.jpg
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news.php?id=206145


Kwong is leaving for Florida while two representatives of Lai Wa Swimming Club, led by former Hong Kong 200m freestyle record holder David Wong Kai-wai, are on a plane bound for Florida.
 

3 years and counting!
PHOTO: "Throwback to where it all began. Learning to swim with my older sister!"

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
Picture posted by Kenneth To - 杜敬謙 Dù jìng qiān @kennethkhto on 15 October 2017 at 12:14 AM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsJjO_N7KNfAUNyYVnt3a0sGkMYbGBxakvbYqPSikDr9u7pgy3LrGVI-KR9Vb9cZykT0Cv9lRlR8fnMOtRPyYonxrjOKPvLW3LSBhH5_h4tOGpShcnnKJdYYVS_d2CR71ULGdiSgqV_A/s1600/DMKVaTgXcAAWRXu.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DMKVaTgXcAAWRXu.jpg
https://twitter.com/kennethkhto/status/919461556181749761
 

Have I not commanded you?
PHOTO: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)
Picture posted by mamietitine on 10 March 2017 at 09:22 - enchanted garden
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http://mamietitine.m.a.pic.centerblog.net/437404bae63e971a3f109e5151a024ed-1.jpg
http://mamietitine.centerblog.net/59910-jardin-enchante
https://za.pinterest.com/pin/532058143467758147/?lp=true

By Unus Alladin, South China Morning Post, Asiaone, 21 March 2019
This article was first published in South China Morning Post.



Reference
[1] Unus Alladin, South China Morning Post, Asiaone, 'It hurts so much to admit he's gone': Kenneth To's girlfriend on his shock death, posted on 21 March 2019, https://www.asiaone.com/asia/it-hurts-so-much-admit-hes-gone-kenneth-tos-girlfriend-his-shock-death


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