Mark Kwok (swimmer)

Mark Kwok Kin-ming (Jyutping: gwok3 gin3ming4; born 20 June 1977) is a former swimmer for Hong Kong, who specialized in middle-distance freestyle but also competed in butterfly and individual medley. He is a two-time Olympian (1996 and 2000), and a bronze medalist at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand. He also holds numerous Hong Kong records in 200, 400, and 800 m freestyle, and retains a dual resident status to compete internationally for his father's homeland. While studying in the United States, Kwok has competed for the USC Trojans, and has received four All-American honors at the NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships in four consecutive seasons.

Early years

Kwok was born in Laguna Hills, California from a Hong Kong father and an American mother, giving him distinct, blond-haired and blue-eyed features, and a dual residential status. He started swimming at the age of four, when his mother sent him to a small local club: "I loved it. I never wanted to get out of the water, whether it was in the pool or at the beach. I guess I took to the water right away." During his early childhood Kwok learned the essentials of competitive swimming, and then moved on to South Coast Aquatics, where the workouts and skills became more challenging for him. After South Coast Aquatics ceased operations, Kwok joined numerous small clubs until he finally settled with the Mission Viejo Nadadores under head coach Terry Stoddard.

Kwok attended Laguna Hills High School, where he competed for the swimming team, and achieved senior national marks in the 200 and 400 m individual medley, and in the long-distance freestyle (400 and 1500 m).