Lance Joseph Martinez

‘I’m Just Getting Started!’—Kendra Kramer Celebrates Major ACSC Swimming Victory After Bagging 8 Medals

Article (news)

<p>Another <strong>Kramer</strong> is diving into the sports spotlight!</p><p>Following in the footsteps of her parents, former <strong>PBA</strong> player <strong>Doug Kramer </strong>and actress/former swimmer <strong>Cheska Garcia</strong>,<strong></strong> <strong>Kendra Kramer</strong> is now carving her own path in the world of sports—this time, in swimming.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762219882196kramer.kendra_1762084368_3756958444646809206_17834649752.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @kramer.kendra</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>The young athlete recently made waves in <strong>Bangkok, Thailand</strong>, as she proudly represented her school during the <strong>Asia Christian Schools Conference (ACSC) Swimming Championship</strong>, where she bagged multiple medals and shared her inspiring journey toward success.</p><p>In an Instagram post on Sunday, Doug and Chesca&#x27;s eldest child opened up about the lessons she learned and the hard work she put in after joining the competition for the third time. Reflecting on her first experience in 2023, she recalled how that year became a turning point in her athletic journey.</p><p>“2023 ACSC was an eye-opener for me. I realized that it wasn’t enough to just show up a few times in a week for training, I had to put in more work and more effort. I felt bad that I wasn’t able to perform at all, no podium finishes,” she wrote.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762219965132kramer.kendra_1762084368_3756958444655205846_17834649752.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @kramer.kendra</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Kendra admitted that her disappointing performance at the time served as motivation to push herself further and take her training seriously. “It hurts! But, it was equal to the minimal effort I put. I wanted something to change. I learned that to reap the results that I wanted, I had to work hard for it,” she added.</p><p>Determined to do better, Kendra began training more consistently, showing up for early morning sessions, longer pool workouts, and even strength training in the gym. Her dedication slowly began to pay off, as she started getting better finishes in the 2024 ACSC competition. But it was during the 2025 ACSC Swimming Championship that all her sacrifices came to fruition.</p><p>“It took two years to see the fruits of my labor and witness God’s amazing grace. Fast forward to this weekend, 2025 ACSC. I was so nervous, I knew I would be up against many talented swimmers. But I also knew that I was ready,” Kendra shared, looking back on her two-year journey of self-discipline and faith.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762220663963kramer.kendra_1762084368_3756958444655195471_17834649752.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @kramer.kendra</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>She further recalled the difficult but rewarding process she went through to prepare for the event.</p><p>“The waking up at 5 a.m. for weekend trainings, the 3-hour sessions, the painful gym workouts, then school work before and after that, plus my extra curriculars! Two years now, God has truly sustained me,” she expressed.</p><p>After years of hard work and dedication, Kendra finally achieved what she once only dreamed of—finishing on the podium for every single event she joined.</p><p>“All the sacrifices have been worth it,” she proudly declared, sharing that she was able to win medals in all eight categories where she competed during the championship.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762220696425kramer.kendra_1762084368_3756958444730707886_17834649752.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @kramer.kendra</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>“This year is extra special to me because I was able to podium in all eight of my events. I really couldn’t have done this without the help of my parents and coaches. Thanks for always pushing me and motivating me!” she said, expressing heartfelt gratitude to her parents, Doug and Cheska, who have continuously supported her swimming journey, as well as to her coaches who helped her hone her skills and discipline.</p><p>Kendra ended her post on a note, emphasizing that despite her major victory, she considers this achievement only the beginning of something bigger.</p><p>“TBH, I’m even more inspired now. I’m just getting started!” she concluded.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762220732926kramer.kendra_1762084368_3756958444638381636_17834649752.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @kramer.kendra</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>In September 2024, Kendra Kramer graced the digital cover of Metro.Style. In her interview, Kendra reflected on what makes swimming special for her, saying, “I think one thing that’s different in swimming is even though you have a team, it’s almost like an individual sport because you’re just relying on yourself. So one thing that’s different about swimming than a team sport is that if you know you’ve worked hard, if you know you put in the time and the effort, you won’t have to doubt yourself because you’re not relying on other people.”</p><div><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">Related: <a href="https://metro.style/people/digital-covers/model-student-athlete-kendra-kramer-metro-debut/38747" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Keeping Up With Model Student-Athlete Kendra Kramer</a></p><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>@kramer.kendra</strong></p>