Kruger initially tried modern pentathlon, where swimming was her strongest discipline. However, due to concerns about her arm condition, she switched to swimming. Her mother played a crucial role in this decision, fearing potential injuries from horse riding.

Achievements and Awards

Kruger's career highlights include winning a gold medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro at age 16. She was named Sportswoman of the Year at the Harderwijk Sports Awards in 2018 and 2019. In 2016, she was honoured as Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau.

Training and Coaching

Kruger trains for 28 hours a week under the guidance of national coach Bram Dekker. Her dedication to training is evident in her consistent performance and achievements. Her coaches have been a significant influence on her career.

Personal Life and Interests

Outside of swimming, Kruger enjoys bouldering and singing. She speaks Dutch and English fluently and has pursued an education in medicine at Utrecht University. Her mother, Natascha Vervoort, represented the Netherlands in rhythmic gymnastics.

Challenges and Injuries

In January 2015, Kruger contracted pneumonia during a training camp in Hungary, which led to a week-long hospitalisation. Despite this setback, she continued to train and compete at high levels.

Memorable Moments

One of Kruger's most memorable moments is winning gold at the 2016 Paralympic Games. This achievement marked a significant milestone in her career and showcased her talent on an international stage.

Future Ambitions

Looking ahead, Kruger aims to compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Outside of sports, she aspires to become a doctor, combining her passion for medicine with her athletic career.

Philosophy and Rituals

Kruger's philosophy is simple: "Do what you do while having fun, otherwise it's better to quit." She also has a unique pre-race ritual of locking and unlocking her knees before climbing on the starting block.

Tattoo Symbolism

In December 2019, Kruger got a tattoo of the Japanese character for 'water' on the back of her neck. This symbolises her journey and achievements in swimming over the past decade.

Other Activities

Kruger manages a social media account called 'paraswimming'. She enjoys publicising their stories on Instagram more than TikTok. This helps create a large group of followers who support them towards the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Lisa Kruger's journey from a young swimmer to a Paralympic champion is inspiring. Her dedication, achievements, and future ambitions highlight her as an exceptional athlete with a promising future both in sports and medicine.