18 December 2024
Kalyan Manoj is setting his sights excessive having joined Badminton England’s Transition Group.
The 15-year-old is likely one of the nation’s brightest stars and is now in a position to entry full-time coaching and energy and conditioning help alongside the senior squad on the Nationwide Badminton Centre.
The Transition Group helps put together Manoj for senior stage competitors with the Yr 10 scholar already aiming for the highest.
“I wish to compete at main worldwide tournaments and make my nation proud,” Manoj stated.
“My final aim is to win the Olympics and World Championships after which the All England and plenty of different huge titles.
“My short-term aim is the European Beneath 17 Championships subsequent 12 months, so I’m working laborious to enhance my recreation and obtain these goals.
Christmas is coming! And possibly you’re scratching your head as to what to purchase the badminton fan who has all the pieces… 🙄
We’ve acquired you lined! Give the reward of badminton this Christmas! 🤩
Use the hyperlink beneath to get your tickets now. ⬇️https://t.co/5NIGUqM2CK pic.twitter.com/W27uljWSG7
— Badminton England (@BadmintonEnglnd) December 7, 2024
“For me to realize these huge goals, I’ve to place plenty of effort into my recreation. Not solely on courtroom but in addition off courtroom as effectively, in my fitness center programme and issues like that.
“Attempting to be extra devoted to badminton and never get distracted by easy issues.”
Manoj and his household moved from Hyderabad in India to Milton Keynes 5 years in the past with the previous Denbigh College scholar taking part in on the Milton Keynes Badminton Academy previous to becoming a member of the Transition Group.
The teenager’s elevation to coach with the senior squad comes after a string of promising ends in worldwide competitions.
Manoj reached the quarterfinals of YONEX All England Junior Badminton Championships in August having reached the ultimate of the Polish Masters Beneath 17 three months prior.
He added: “In my profession, I’ve reached three finals of the Beneath 17 worldwide championships, they had been the Beneath 17 Polish, Austrian and French Open.
Chloe has had a profitable 2024 with each doubles companions Ethan and Estelle van Leeuwen as she sees herself again within the prime #100 ranked 43 in WD and 74 💪
What’s it prefer to play with each siblings, and what are her objectives for 2025? Discover out now! 🤩#Badminton #BadmintonEngland pic.twitter.com/nuhFCIjUqs
— Badminton England (@BadmintonEnglnd) December 9, 2024
“It has been superb to know I’m top-of-the-line however I can do so much when I’m 12 months youthful.
“Once I acquired chosen into the transition group, I felt actually proud it means so much to me so after I acquired into the squad I hoped for a greater coaching atmosphere.
“Up to now it has been actually nice, I’ve had a number of new experiences and realized from the gamers within the senior squad.
All of us keep in mind the superb run @popov_christo had in final 12 months’s YONEX All England 🏸
Can he go one additional this 12 months? 🤩
Don’t miss out in March 💚💙#YAE25 #Yonex #AllofBadminton #AllEngland pic.twitter.com/XgGUdzPWDF
— Badminton England (@BadmintonEnglnd) December 14, 2024
“It’s robust to play towards them as a result of they’re actually skilled and are higher at taking part in than me, so it’s difficult to maintain up with them.
“However I even have a coach that I can work with and the older gamers assist me to show me easy methods to develop my recreation.”
As a part of the Transition Group, Manoj has travelled to the YONEX Peter Gade Academy in Denmark to additional advance his improvement.
Manoj cites former males’s singles World No.1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia as one in every of his largest inspirations but in addition appears to be taught from a participant nearer to dwelling.
“I take inspiration from Harry Huang within the senior squad and I appeared as much as Lee Chong Wei after I was youthful,” he defined.
“So, when I’m older, I wish to be as profitable as Lee Chong Wei.
“I look as much as their aggressiveness on courtroom and their unwillingness to surrender on courtroom.
“They’re mentally prepared and mentally actually robust to have the ability to be prepared for something that may occur on courtroom.”