At just 14, Carl Mendes is already making his mark in athletics. A student of The Gera School, Goa, and a resident of Goa Velha, Carl discovered his passion for shot put through school competitions. What began as an introduction to athletics has, within a year, developed into a focused sporting journey marked by discipline, determination and an ambition to compete at the highest levels.
His recent performances have strengthened that ambition. With two gold medals in 2026, including a standout victory at the 57th Goa State Athletic Championship, Carl is emerging as a promising young talent in Goa’s athletics scene.
Discovering a Passion for Shot Put
Carl’s interest in shot put began approximately a year ago after he participated in school athletic meets. He was drawn to the combination of strength, technique and precision that the event demands. Rather than viewing competitions simply as opportunities to win, he found motivation in the process of improving his performance with every attempt.
The sport soon became more than a school activity. Encouraged by his family and coach, Carl began training seriously, developing the discipline required to pursue athletics alongside his education.
A Gold-Medal Year
One of the defining moments of Carl’s young career came at the 57th Goa State Athletic Championship 2026, where he secured the gold medal in shot put with an impressive throw of 10.84 metres.
For the young athlete, the achievement represents far more than a medal. It is the result of months of dedicated preparation and the consistent encouragement of those around him. The victory has also strengthened his belief that sustained effort can translate into meaningful results.
Earlier in the year, Carl had already claimed gold at the District Athletic Meet. Winning at both district and state level has given him additional motivation to raise his standards and work towards bigger challenges.
Rather than allowing these victories to create complacency, Carl sees them as milestones in a much longer journey. They have shown him what consistency can achieve while reminding him that there is still plenty to learn and improve.
Six Days of Focused Training
Carl’s progress is backed by a demanding training routine. He trains six days a week, working across several areas that contribute to his performance as a shot-put athlete. His sessions include strength development, technique, speed, agility and overall fitness.
However, his preparation extends beyond physical training. Nutrition, recovery and mental preparation are also important parts of his routine. He follows his coach’s guidance closely and works to maintain a positive mindset, particularly when training becomes demanding.
This structured approach reflects his growing understanding of athletics: success is not built around competition day alone, but through the discipline maintained between competitions.
Balancing Academics and Athletics
For a 14-year-old student, maintaining a rigorous training schedule alongside school is one of Carl’s biggest challenges. His school day ends at 3:30 pm, after which he heads directly to evening training.
Managing studies, athletics and recovery requires commitment and careful use of time. On difficult days, the encouragement of his family and coach helps him remain focused on his goals. Their support has been an important part of helping him maintain consistency without losing sight of his responsibilities as a student.
Preparing for the West Zone and National Championships
With the West Zone and National Championships ahead, Carl is intensifying his preparation. His immediate focus is on refining his technique, building greater strength and developing consistency in his throws.
Rather than concentrating solely on results, he hopes to use these competitions as an opportunity to test himself against some of the country’s strongest young athletes. His goals are clear: set a new personal best, represent Goa with pride and gain valuable experience at a higher level of competition.
For an athlete still at the beginning of his career, competing at such levels can provide lessons that extend well beyond the result of a single event.
A Strong Support System
Behind Carl’s progress is a family and coaching team that plays an active role in his development. His mother, Gail, and coach, Desiree, are among his strongest sources of encouragement. His father, Charlton, takes particular care of his nutrition, ensuring that his physical preparation is supported by the right approach to diet and recovery.
His sister is another important source of motivation, consistently believing in him and encouraging him to pursue his ambitions.
Carl recognises that his achievements are not his alone. The support, guidance and belief of those around him have helped him remain motivated and committed to the sport.
Dreaming Beyond the Podium
While his immediate focus is on improving his performances at national-level competitions, Carl’s ambitions extend much further. He dreams of representing India at major international events, including the Asian Championships and Commonwealth Games, with the ultimate goal of competing at the Olympic Games.
He hopes to continue developing his abilities and eventually establish himself among India’s leading shot-put athletes. For now, that dream is being approached one training session, one competition and one personal improvement at a time.
Life Beyond Athletics
Away from the shot-put circle, Carl enjoys a range of activities. He likes spending time with family and friends, travelling, watching sports, listening to music and playing football. His interest in sport extends beyond his own discipline, and watching accomplished athletes gives him additional inspiration to work harder. These interests provide a balance to the intensity of his training and allow him to enjoy the experiences of being a young athlete.
A Message to the Next Generation
Carl’s advice to other young athletes is rooted in the principles that have shaped his own journey: believe in oneself, remain disciplined, listen to coaches and never give up.
He understands that progress does not happen overnight. For him, success is built through consistent hard work, patience and the willingness to continue learning, even after achieving an important milestone.
At 14, Carl Mendes has already collected two gold medals in a year and recorded a 10.84-metre throw at the state championship. Yet he views these achievements not as the destination, but as the beginning.
With strong family support, dedicated coaching and an ambition that reaches from Goa to the international stage, the young athlete is determined to keep pushing his limits. His journey is still in its early chapters, but Carl is already throwing with a purpose: to improve, to compete and, one day, to make Goa and India proud on the world stage.