Carolina Clemente – Passion, Sacrifice and the Courage to Dream Big

 

In our Heroes of Teqball series, we shine a spotlight on players whose dedication, sacrifice, and performances are shaping the future of the sport. Through their stories, the Teqball world can discover the people behind the performances — the journeys, sacrifices, and dreams that define them.

 

Our first interview of 2026 features one of Portugal’s most inspiring athletes: Carolina Clemente.

 

Carolina is a powerful example of what hard work, sacrifice, and passion can achieve. In just three to four years, she realized that Teqball could be more than a hobby. She believed in her potential, committed herself fully to the sport, and set her sights on representing Portugal at the highest level.

 

Today, she ranks among the Top 25 in Doubles, sits inside the Top 100 in all three categories, and has already competed at the Teqball World Championships. Her journey — from over a decade in futsal to wearing the Portuguese colors on the world stage — is a story of courage, discipline, and unwavering belief.

Here is her story.

 

Introduction & Background

For those discovering you for the first time, how would you introduce yourself?

My name is Carolina Clemente, I am 22 years old, and my friends say I am always in a good mood and smiling. I love all kinds of sports, and I currently play both futsal and Teqball. For those who don’t know me, I may seem a little shy and reserved at first, but I consider myself an outgoing person.

 

Can you tell us about your sporting background before Teqball?

Before Teqball, I played futsal, did swimming, and practiced horse riding for three years.

 

You spent more than 10 years playing futsal. What did that sport give you as an athlete and as a person?

Futsal helped me grow tremendously. It gave me my first lessons in discipline, responsibility, and especially teamwork. It also taught me how to deal with competitive pressure and helped me build self-confidence.

 

Discovering Teqball

Do you remember the first time you encountered Teqball? How did it happen?

The first time I had contact with Teqball was through my futsal club. They were going to a competition in Portugal that weekend, but the athlete who usually played couldn’t participate, so they invited me to go instead.

 

What was your first impression of the sport?

I found it very interesting and extremely challenging — and that challenge motivated me to give it a try.

 

At what point did you realize that Teqball could be more than just a hobby?

When I started competing and saw my own progress. The more I trained and challenged myself, the more motivated I felt to take the sport seriously and aim higher.

 
Commitment & Turning Point

Making the decision to put futsal aside after more than a decade is a big step. What motivated you to fully commit to Teqball?

It was not an easy decision, and I still think about it every week when I have to tell my coach that I will miss an important match because I have a Teqball tournament.However, I currently feel more motivated in Teqball because I have the opportunity to compete at the highest level with the best players in the world, and I can see how much the sport is growing. I have set new goals for myself as an athlete in this new sport, and I am fully committed to achieving them.

 

Was there a specific moment when you truly started believing you could go far?

It wasn’t just one single moment, but several — especially my most recent tournaments, which made me very proud of my work and dedication.
With only one and a half years of regular training, I was able to compete against athletes who had been in the sport much longer than me. That brought extremely positive results, and I am very happy about it.

 

What were the biggest sacrifices on this journey?
Giving up free time, being away from family and friends, and missing important moments and futsal matches. I also had to make daily sacrifices — training when I was tired, staying disciplined, and consistently choosing my goals over comfort.

 

Growth & Achievements

In just three or four years, you reached the Top 25 in Doubles and Top 100 in all three categories. What has been the key?

The main key was training and discipline. Without them, I would never have achieved these results. In my first two years of Teqball, I competed just for fun, without regular training, and I didn’t have real results. My club, “Caixeiros,” played a crucial role by providing excellent conditions, top-quality equipment, and flexibility to train every day at times that suited me best. That made a huge difference in my development.

How do hard work, discipline, and passion show up in your daily routine?

Discipline means going to training even when I am tired, unmotivated, or when no one is available to train with me. My passion for the sport is what pushes me to keep going, even when things get difficult.

 

Which achievement are you most proud of so far?
I am very proud of a difficult tournament I played in Portugal. I faced a lot of pressure and stressful situations, yet I was able to stay focused, play my game, and win the tournament. I feel that I grew not only as an athlete, but also as a person — and that makes me very proud.

 

Representing Portugal

What does it mean to represent Portugal in Teqball?

Ever since I started practicing sports, I have dreamed of representing my national team. I am extremely proud to represent my country in the sport I love most.

 

How did you feel wearing the Portuguese colors at the 2025 Teqball World Championships?

It was a mix of pride, pressure, and nervousness — but above all, happiness and the realization that all the effort throughout the year was worth it.

 

Your most memorable World Championships moment?

Arriving at the venue on the day of my first match and seeing all the players wearing their national colors. My first game was against Thailand — an extremely competitive and high-quality team. I had always watched them in finals on my computer and television, but I had never seen them live before. Sharing the court with them was one of the best moments of the World Championships.

 

How is Teqball growing in Portugal?
Teqball has been growing steadily over the last few years, and this year we are expecting very positive developments. As the sport evolves, more people are becoming interested and involved. Players are key in promoting the sport — through competition, passion, and visibility, they inspire others to try Teqball.

 

Goals & Future

What are your short-term goals?

I want to improve my technical aspects and physical ability to become more consistent at a high level. I believe this will significantly improve my game.

 

Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

I want to keep improving while establishing a regular presence in international tournaments. I aim to continue evolving, challenging myself against the best in the world, and competing at the highest level.

 

Are there specific milestones you are chasing?

Within the next two years, my goal is to reach the Top 10 in mixed doubles and women’s doubles.

 

Teqball & Inspiration

How important is mindset at the highest level?

At the highest level, technical and tactical differences are very small. What truly separates the best players is mental strength under pressure. Teqball is fast and intense — one mistake can change the momentum of a match. If I lose emotional control even for a few seconds, I lose focus. For me, mindset means staying calm in difficult moments.

 

What does Teqball give you that other sports didn’t?

Teqball gives me a level of freedom and creativity I never found in other sports. It allows me to take risks and think outside the box, making every match unique. At the same time, the mental, physical, and emotional demands are higher. Every point requires focus, control, and quick decision-making. That challenge motivates me the most.

 

Your message to young players — especially girls — discovering Teqball?

Don’t give up, even when the beginning feels difficult. It will get better with time. Every training session, every mistake, and every challenge is part of your growth. Believe in yourself, and don’t let anyone limit what you can achieve.