(April 21, 2026) For over three decades, Taekwondo has been at the centre of Manuel Mendonca’s life, not as a separate pursuit but as a discipline that has shaped how he works, teaches, and lives. Over the years, he has trained more than 1,100 black belt students, earned a World No. 1 ranking in Speed Kicking, won gold medals at events including the Nepal All Style Martial Arts Championship and the All Bombay Championship, and achieved a 5th Dan Black Belt certified by South Korea’s Kukkiwon.
These milestones reflect a system he has built steadily through consistency and intent. Alongside being a coach and an athlete, he maintained a corporate career for over three decades, starting in 1991. Since 2017, he has been coaching full-time as Head Coach at Somaiya Sports Academy and Pil Sung Taekwondo Academy in Mumbai.
Manuel does not draw a line between profession and practice. The discipline he learned early in sport carried into his corporate career, and the structure of corporate life, in turn, strengthened how he approached coaching. “It was not just about learning techniques. It was about building character, respect, and mental strength,” he shares with The Global Indian, speaking about the passion that has defined his life.
Two careers, one steady path
Manuel built two careers at the same time. From 1991 onwards, he worked across roles in Mumbai, from managing operations and stock at Croissants and Ambassador Sky Chef, to handling logistics data and reporting at Overnite Express Ltd., to supervising a team of 50 at Mobilink.
He then spent 18 years at United Spirits Ltd., part of the Diageo India network. There, he worked on MIS reporting, sales analysis, SAP systems, and distributor-level data. It was detailed, process-driven work that required consistency and accountability.
“Managing both worlds strengthened my character and deepened my commitment,” he says. The skills like time management, structure, and attention to detail from that environment naturally carried into his coaching. Over time, the two paths began to reinforce each other.
Building athletes, building systems
Coaching since 1993, at Pil Sung Taekwondo Academy, he has trained more than 1,100 students and achieved Kukkiwon Black Belt certification. Alongside that, he has prepared athletes for competitions, organised tournaments, and designed training programmes.
Since 2017, at Somaiya Sports Academy in Mumbai, he has expanded his work across campuses, training athletes, mentoring coaches, and managing the operational side of sports programmes, including safety, equipment, and planning.
At this scale, coaching becomes less about a single method and more about adapting to people. “Every student is unique. Success comes from understanding their individual strengths, limitations, and motivations,” he says. “My goal has been not only to develop skilled athletes, but also to cultivate confident and responsible individuals.”
Over the years, his approach has shifted from focusing only on technique to giving equal importance to mental strength and personal development.
The record, built over time
The athlete has competed at the national level and engaged with a wide range of athletes and training styles. His World Rank No. 1 in Speed Kicking for 2023–24 reflects years of consistent work rather than a single phase of competition. Alongside it are a Gold Medal at the Nepal All Style Martial Arts Championship, a Gold at the All Bombay Championship, and a Silver at the Open Martial Arts Tournament.
His background also includes a Post Graduate Diploma in Information Technology, a Bachelor of Arts, and a Diploma in Computer Science, along with certifications in first aid, fitness training, and trauma response. He works with tools like MS Office, SAP, and data analysis, and speaks English, Hindi, Marathi, and Konkani.
Legacy in action
On legacy, he keeps it simple. “Legacy is not just about personal achievements. It is about the impact I leave behind in the form of developing athletes and mentoring future coaches.” More than a thousand students already carry that impact. The work, as he sees it, is to keep building on it with a relocation plan to Australia. The dream of moving abroad is not a departure from his work in India, but an extension of it, he believes.
“My vision is to build a structured, high-performance Taekwondo program that focuses on athlete development from grassroots to elite levels, wherever I am.” he signs off.
Key Achievements & Credentials
- World Rank No. 1, Speed Kicking Competition (2023–24)
- 5th Dan Black Belt, Kukkiwon, South Korea
- Gold Medal, Nepal All Style Martial Arts Championship
- Gold Medal, All Bombay Championship
- Silver Medal, Open Martial Arts Tournament
- Trained 1,100+ black belt students
Follow Manuel Mendonca on LinkedIn