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In every sport, there are athletes who stand out because they’re fast — and then there are athletes who stand out because they make the entire community better. Kimi Grande happens to be both. A top-10 elite racer known for his precision, discipline, and clean riding, Kimi has long been one of the most respected names in Philippine mountain biking. But beyond podiums and race plates, he has become something rarer: a rider whose presence lifts the culture around him.
That’s why he is the inaugural recipient of the Sendr Sportsmanship Award.
Kimi’s evolution from a young rider in 2016 to a full-fledged elite athlete has always been powered by quiet work — structured training, relentless consistency, and a mindset rooted in growth rather than hype. Today, he rides for Yeti Cycles Philippines, a dream partnership that aligns perfectly with his dedication to riding at the highest level. Being chosen as an official Yeti ambassador was, for him, surreal — a moment that connected the kid who idolized Richie Rude to the athlete he has become. His SB160 has become more than a race machine; it’s the vessel for the standard he chases every day: fast, controlled, intentional riding.
As an elite racer, he’s carved a reputation for being analytical about the craft. He builds his Yeti platforms for the realities of Philippine terrain — heat, humidity, slick rock, ruts, deep mud — and he tunes his setup with the care of someone who understands that speed comes from the sum of small decisions. Tire choice, inserts, suspension settings, cockpit height — they aren’t footnotes to him, they’re the language of mastery.
But racing is only half of who he is.
Who is Kimi Grande, Really?
Kimi is a PMBIA-certified mountain bike coach and ride guide, an educator whose clinics have helped hundreds of riders progress safely and confidently. At Kimi’s Bike Clinic, he breaks down the biggest skill gaps he sees in Filipino riders — body position, braking, breathing — into drills that create instant “aha” moments. He teaches riders where to look, how to hinge, why the front brake is their best friend, and how breath affects stability. His guidance doesn’t come from guesswork; it’s rooted in science.
That’s because he isn’t just an athlete — he’s also a student. Now finishing a Sports Science degree, Kimi applies what he learns in the classroom to the trail. His weekly non-negotiables reveal the mindset of someone who understands longevity: strength work, endurance hours, mobility, skills sessions, and mental prep. He trains like someone who knows exactly where he wants to be — and exactly how to get there.
And still, he finds time to give back.
Trusted, Tested, and Tried.
Kimi is a known brand ambassador for Fox Racing, Rudy Project, and other major names in the MTB ecosystem. But what brands love about him is the same thing riders love about him: humility, reliability, and an energy that makes mountain biking feel welcoming rather than exclusive. His goals — national-level consistency, international race experience, junior development, community rides, trail stewardship — reveal someone who sees mountain biking not just as a career, but as a responsibility.
Because sportsmanship, in its truest form, isn’t about being nice. It’s about living a standard.
It’s showing up early and helping a rider set sag before the ride even starts.
It’s celebrating someone else’s PR as loudly as your own.
It’s correcting unsafe habits without making someone feel small.
It’s competing fiercely while lifting others higher.
It’s pushing yourself forward while pulling the next generation with you.
That’s the spirit behind the Sendr Sportsmanship Award — and Kimi embodies it completely.
He is an elite athlete with the humility of a beginner, a coach with the heart of a mentor, and a community leader who knows that racing is only one way to measure impact.
In honoring Kimi Grande, we honor the values that make mountain biking more than just a sport.
And this first award couldn’t have gone to anyone else.
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