For young judoka Kendra de Beer, medals represent only part of her efforts. Behind her success in the Protea colors are years of training, overcoming painful injuries, disappointing defeats, canceled weekends, and the quiet discipline of a teenager trying to balance elite sport with studies.
A student from Reddam House Helderfontein has established herself as one of South Africa's young judo talents. She successfully defended her title in the U/19 Women -63kg category at the South African Junior African Cup in Johannesburg, and subsequently represented the country at the African Judo Championships in Morocco, where she placed fifth.
However, 17-year-old Kendra notes that her path truly found meaning only after earning her black belt last year. She says that everything fell into place then, which became a huge boost to her confidence.
What motivates her to return to the mat? She jokes that 'basically, I earn a living by throwing people.' But behind this joke lies a deeper love for the sport, which, she says, taught her much more than just fighting.
'Judo also teaches respect, responsibility, and sportsmanship, and then I realized it is much more than just a hobby,' she shares.
Nevertheless, her journey has not been without moments when it seemed easier to give up. She recalls a painful loss at the National Qualifiers last year, which made her doubt her adequacy. Furthermore, there have been injuries. Three years ago, she broke her collarbone, which made her consider ending her judo career. When she dislocated the same collarbone again in Angola last year, those fears returned.
'I thought it was the end, that my body essentially told me to stop,' she recounts. 'I couldn't quit because I have people who believe this is my sport and who sacrificed things for me. I didn't want to let them down.'
She also describes sacrifices that go beyond injuries and competitions. With at least one test per week, along with assignments and homework, Kendra has had to learn to find time for training without neglecting her studies. She spends Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays on the mat.
'It helps my brain switch off and reboot,' she asserts.
The biggest sacrifice has been social time. While friends spend time together, she is often training, traveling, or recovering. She also reveals that her family has taken on most of the financial and personal involvement required to support her internationally. At the same time, her school has provided support, allowing her to travel and helping her catch up on academic material.
One must mention Sensei Allardyce Fulton from Kazuno Judo, whom Kendra considers one of the most important influences on her development. She notes that he doesn't convince her, but simply encourages her to do her best because he already knows she is capable of more, and pushes her toward it.
Fifth place in Morocco was disappointing, especially since it was the second time she had achieved such a position. However, instead of letting the result define her, Kendra believes it highlighted areas where she still needs to work.
'I need to try much harder than before, and I still need to find a way to control my nerves before a match,' she says.
This may be the clearest reflection of her current standing: she has reached a level sufficient to wear the Protea badge, yet she is ambitious enough to know there is still much to learn.
For Kendra, the person behind the medals is no less important than the athlete on the podium. 'It didn't happen overnight. So much training, dedication, commitment, blood, sweat, and tears went into this, and it took a very long time to achieve it.'
She emphasizes that wearing the Protea badge has instilled in her a deeper sense of responsibility. 'Wearing the Protea badge reminds me that I am competing for something bigger than myself. It has also made me realize that young athletes look up to me, so I want to set a positive example through my attitude, sportsmanship, and work ethic.'
Her journey is far from over. After qualifying for the Regional 5 Games in Mozambique in December, Kendra is already looking at her next challenge and ultimately, performances on major world stages.
Currently, she measures success not only by medals but also by how much she continues to develop. 'If I can keep improving, gain valuable international experience, and finish the year knowing I gave my absolute best, I will consider 2026 a breakthrough year.'
At Reddam House Helderfontein, Kendra's growth has become a source of pride. The Acting Principal, Dave Short, believes that her success reflects something more than just athletic talent. Short describes her as a role model, whose path is shaped by discipline, resilience, and perseverance—qualities that have shown other students what is possible when talent is combined with hard work.
'We could not be prouder of Kendra and what she has achieved. South Africa's representation on the international stage is a wonderful achievement and the culmination of many years of hard work, resilience, and unwavering commitment,' he says.
He adds: '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 for her achievements but also for the character she has demonstrated throughout her journey.'