Trinity Grammar tribute to former student, swimmer Kenneth To

Sydney’s Trinity Grammar School has posted a touching tribute to swimmer Kenneth To, remembering the past student as “an incredible sportsman and wonderful person”.

Sydney’s Trinity Grammar School has posted a touching tribute to swimmer Kenneth To, remembering the past student as “an incredible sportsman and wonderful person”, following his shock death on Tuesday.

“We are incredibly shocked and saddened to hear the news that Kenneth To (Class of 2009) passed away in Florida overnight,” Trinity posted on Facebook this morning.

“An incredible sportsman and wonderful person, Kenneth was one of the best swimmers Trinity had the honour of teaching and training. His loss will be felt throughout our community. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Kenneth To’s death has shocked his former teachers and schoolmates.

A former Trinity teacher of To commented that she was “absolutely devastated” to hear news of his death.

“Remember him well, taught him only briefly whilst at TGS but he certainly left a mark. Always so respectful and brought an incredible work ethic to the classroom and obviously the pool. A wonderful role model during his time. One of the best,” the teacher said.

To, who won medals for Australia, died aged 26, after becoming sick during a training session in Florida.

Born in Hong Kong, To moved to Sydney when he was two and won silver as part of the 400 metre medley relay squad at the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona.

He also claimed six medals at the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore and in 2009 broke Ian Thorpe’s decade-old Australian record in the 200m individual medley.

At the 2011 Australian swimming championships in Sydney, he won silver in the 200m medley and in the 2013 World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona, To won silver as a butterfly heat swimmer for the Australian 4x100m medley relay team.

To transferred his nationality to Hong Kong in 2016 and was training to compete at next year’s Olympics in Tokyo.

“(To) felt unwell at a training session and was taken to hospital where sadly, he passed away,” the Hong Kong Sports Institute said.

“Kenneth was known as a truly exceptional person, warm, funny and kind.”

Kenneth To died after falling ill during a training session with the University of Florida. He was aged just 26. Picture: Michael Sohn

To was in Florida for a three-month training camp with the Gator Swim Club at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

In December he competed at the world short-course championships in China and placed sixth in the 100-metre medley - his first individual final at a major championships in six years, he wrote on Twitter.

To has spoken publicly about his battle to regain fitness after an appendix removal.

Swimming Australia national coach Jacco Verhaeren described To, as an exceptional teammate and versatile athlete.

Current Australian swimming champion James Magnussen said To was “one of the fiercest competitors” he had competed against and was, for a period, “pound for pound, the best swimmer in the world”.