The 77-year-old retired administrator from Invercargill is competing in his second New Zealand Masters Games and had quite a journey to the tournament.
To say the past three years have been a trial would be a gross understatement. He is over the worst of his health problems but still gets regular check-ups and tries to squeeze everything he can out of life.
''What got me through the health issues besides friends, family and medical specialists, was the self-belief of - 'if it's to be, it's up to me' which simply means get cracking and get on with life,'' he wrote in an email.
In July last year, King was admitted to hospital with a spinal condition which caused paralysis in both legs.
He had surgery in Dunedin and was transferred to the Burwood spinal unit in Christchurch. He is still in ''recovery mode'' but his legs are getting stronger.
In November 2015, he had heart surgery and in February 2016 he had major cancer surgery. His stomach was removed and he also endured six months of chemotherapy.
Having fought for his life, King decided he needed another challenge and started training for the Masters Games in November.
''While progress is slow, the times are improving.
''[I] will probably need some assistance to stand on the dive platform at the start of the event and hope that's not a problem.''
''I'm walking now with the aid of an elbow stick and I am using the Masters Games as a motivational goal.
''The Southland doctors and clinicians all support my effort and 2018 is the year I shake the dust off and get back in the race of living well.''
King is entered in the 50m freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke as well as the 100m breaststroke.
''What I say to everyone is get a goal and go for it. It is hard work, it really is. But it pays off in the end.''
