Young Gun: Kaylan Manoj sets his sights high

By December 18, 2024 Badminton 0 Comments
Kalyan Manoj Young Gun 800

18 December 2024

Kalyan Manoj is setting his sights high having joined Badminton England’s Transition Group.

The 15-year-old is one of the country’s brightest stars and is now able to access full-time training and strength and conditioning support alongside the senior squad at the National Badminton Centre.

The Transition Group is helping prepare Manoj for senior level competition with the Year 10 student already aiming for the top.

“I want to compete at major international tournaments and make my country proud,” Manoj said.

“My ultimate goal is to win the Olympics and World Championships and then the All England and many other big titles.

“My short-term goal is the European Under 17 Championships next year, so I am working hard to improve my game and achieve those dreams.

“For me to achieve these big dreams, I have to put a lot of effort into my game. Not only on court but also off court as well, in my gym programme and things like that.

“Trying to be more dedicated to badminton and not get distracted by simple things.”

Manoj and his family moved from Hyderabad in India to Milton Keynes five years ago with the former Denbigh School student playing at the Milton Keynes Badminton Academy prior to joining the Transition Group.

The youngster’s elevation to train with the senior squad comes after a string of promising results in international competitions.

Manoj reached the quarterfinals of YONEX All England Junior Badminton Championships in August having reached the final of the Polish Masters Under 17 three months prior.

He added: “In my career, I have reached three finals of the Under 17 international championships, they were the Under 17 Polish, Austrian and French Open.

“It has been amazing to know I am one of the best but I can do a lot when I am year younger.

“When I got selected into the transition group, I felt really proud it means a lot to me so when I got into the squad I was hoping for a better training environment.

“So far it has been really great, I have had lots of new experiences and learned from the players in the senior squad.

“It is tough to play against them because they are really experienced and are better at playing than me, so it is challenging to keep up with them.

“But I also have a coach that I can work with and the older players help me to teach me how to develop my game.”

As part of the Transition Group, Manoj has travelled to the YONEX Peter Gade Academy in Denmark to further advance his development.

Manoj cites former men’s singles World No.1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia as one of his biggest inspirations but also looks to learn from a player closer to home.

“I take inspiration from Harry Huang in the senior squad and I looked up to Lee Chong Wei when I was younger,” he explained.

“So, when I am older, I want to be as successful as Lee Chong Wei.

“I look up to their aggressiveness on court and their unwillingness to give up on court.

“They are mentally ready and mentally really strong to be able to be ready for anything that can happen on court.”

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