For Reddam House Helderfontein student Kendra de Beer, the few minutes spectators see on the judo mat are only a fraction of the story.
Behind them are years of training, early mornings, injuries and recovery, international travel and the challenge of keeping up with schoolwork while competing at an increasingly high level.
That commitment is paying off for the young South African judoka, who recently claimed gold in the U/19 Women’s -63kg division at the Johannesburg Junior African Cup for the second consecutive year, before travelling to Morocco to represent South Africa at the African Judo Championships, where she finished fifth.
A two-time South African national champion who has earned her Protea colours, Kendra says successfully defending her African Cup title was particularly meaningful because it reflected the work that had taken place long before she stepped onto the tatami.
“Winning these titles is something I’m incredibly proud of. It represents years of hard work, sacrifice and consistency,” she says. “Every year brings new challenges, so defending the title is never easy. For me, it’s not just about the medal – it’s about seeing how much I’ve grown and proving to myself that dedication really pays off.”
Kendra trains three times a week with Sensei Allerdyce Fulton at Kazuno Judo, with repetition and attention to detail forming an important part of her preparation. In Johannesburg, that work was evident when she successfully executed an uchimata in her opening fight – a technique she had been working on repeatedly in training.
But her development is increasingly about becoming a more complete competitor.
“I’ve been working on becoming a more complete judoka rather than relying on one technique. That includes improving my transitions into groundwork, sharpening my grip fighting and becoming more adaptable depending on the opponent in front of me.”
Fulton says Kendra’s growing international experience is helping her develop an understanding of competition beyond her years. “She has experienced different opponents, different styles and the pressure that comes with representing South Africa,” he says. “That exposure means she is already developing an understanding of what international competition demands, rather than having to learn all of those lessons for the first time when she reaches senior level.”
There is, however, another quality that he believes cannot simply be developed through technical training. “Above her technical ability, Kendra is fierce. She has a real fight in her. There is a fire in Kendra that you can’t necessarily teach,” says Fulton. “Technique can get you into a fight, but when the contest becomes difficult, you need the mental strength and fighting spirit to keep going. Kendra has that naturally.”
That fighting spirit was tested at the African Judo Championships in Morocco, where Kendra faced some of the continent’s leading young judokas. Although she had travelled there hoping for a medal, she says her fifth-place finish provided valuable lessons as she works towards competing at senior international level.
“The biggest lesson was that at this level, the smallest details make the biggest difference. Everyone is physically strong, so success often comes down to preparation, decision-making and staying focused in crucial moments.”
Competing internationally also requires considerable discipline away from the mat. Kendra tries to work ahead academically before travelling and catches up as quickly as possible on her return. “Reddam House supports me by giving me leave to travel, and the teachers go out of their way to support me when I get back to catch up on missed work and tests,” she says. “Just as with judo, preparation is key.”
Interim Executive Head of Reddam House Helderfontein, Dave Short, says Kendra’s achievements reflect both her sporting ability and her character.
“We could not be prouder of Kendra and what she has accomplished. Representing South Africa at an international level is a remarkable achievement and is the culmination of years of hard work, resilience and unwavering commitment,” he says.
“Kendra has shown our students what is possible when talent is matched with discipline, perseverance and a willingness to embrace challenges. She is an outstanding role model, not simply because of her achievements, but because of the character she has displayed throughout her journey.”
Kendra is already looking ahead. She has qualified to compete at the Region 5 Games in Mozambique in December and sees each international contest as another step towards her longer-term ambition of competing successfully at the highest levels of the sport.
“Wearing the Protea badge reminds me that I’m competing for something bigger than myself,” she says. “It has also made me realise that younger athletes are watching, so I want to set a positive example through my attitude, sportsmanship and work ethic.” And despite the medals already accumulated, Kendra’s measure of success remains progress. “If I can continue improving, gain valuable international experience and finish the year knowing I’ve given my absolute best, then I’d consider 2026 a breakthrough year. A medal at the Region 5 Games would also be a big drive. Every competition brings me one step closer to achieving my dream of competing successfully on the world’s biggest stages.
