For Kendra de Beer, a student at Reddam House Helderfontein, the minutes viewers see on the tatami are only a small part of her efforts. Behind this lie years of training, early mornings, injuries and recovery, international travel, as well as the need to balance studies with participation in high-level competitions.
This dedication is paying off: the young South African judoka recently won gold in the U/19 Women's 63 kg division at the South African Junior African Cup for the second consecutive year. Following this, she traveled to Morocco to represent South Africa at the African Judo Championships, where she placed fifth.
As a two-time South African national champion and bearing the Protea colours, Kendra noted that successfully defending her title at the African Cup held special significance for her.
She stated: 'I am incredibly proud of these titles. They reflect years of hard work, sacrifice, and consistency. Every year brings new challenges, so defending a title is never easy. For me, it's not just a medal—it's an opportunity to see how I've grown and prove to myself that dedication truly pays off.'
Kendra trains three times a week with Sensei Allardyce Fulton at Kazuno Judo, where repetition of movements and attention to detail play a crucial role. This preparation was evident in Johannesburg when she successfully executed an Ouchi Gari in her first match—a technique she had worked on repeatedly in training.
However, her development is increasingly focused on becoming a more complete athlete. She explains that she works on not relying solely on one technique, but on improving transitions into ground fighting, refining grip fighting, and increasing adaptability depending on the opponent.
Fulton notes that Kendra's growing international experience helps her develop a competitive understanding that goes beyond her age. He emphasizes: 'She has faced different opponents, different styles, and the pressure of representing South Africa. This experience means she is already forming an idea of what international competition demands, rather than learning all these lessons for the first time at a senior level.'
Nevertheless, Fulton believes that another key attribute cannot be developed solely through technical training. 'Besides her technical skills, Kendra is fierce. She has a real fighting spirit. Kendra has a fire that cannot be taught,' he says. 'Technique can get you into the fight, but when the competition gets tough, you need mental strength and fighting spirit to keep going. Kendra possesses that naturally.'
This fighting spirit was tested at the African Judo Championships in Morocco, where Kendra faced some of the continent's leading young judokas. Although she went there hoping for a medal, she believes her fifth place brought valuable lessons in her pursuit of reaching the international level among adult athletes.
The Interior Executive Director of Reddam House Helderfontein, Dave Short, believes that Kendra's achievements reflect both her athletic ability and her character. He stated: 'Kendra has shown our students what is possible when talent is combined with discipline, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace challenges. She is an outstanding role model not only because of her achievements but also because of the character she has demonstrated throughout her journey.'
Kendra is already looking ahead. She qualified for the Region 5 Games in Mozambique in December and views every international competition as another step toward her long-term goal—performing successfully at the highest levels of sport. She added: 'Wearing the Protea badge reminds me that I am fighting for something bigger than myself. It has also made me realize that young athletes are watching, so I want to set a positive example through my attitude, sportsmanship, and work ethic.'