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He was 14-20 down. Six match points against him. What happened next is why you need to watch this episode till the end.
India's badminton smash machine Kiran George (BWF Top 50, Thomas Cup medallist) sits down with 15-year-old host Manan for his most unfiltered conversation yet — pressure, pain,comebacks, and the one David Goggins idea he uses on court every single day.
About the host: Manan is a Grade 10 student who interviews India's top athletes with the kind of questions adults are too polite to ask.
About the guest: Kiran George comes from badminton royalty — his father is an Arjuna Awardee,his mother played at state level — and heleft home at 14 to train at the Prakash Padukone
Badminton Academy alongside Lakshya Sen.
Why watch this? Because Kiran reveals exactly how he stayed calm at 14-20 down against Alex Lanier at India Open 2025, what was going through his head facing World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi at match point, and why he walked into the Swiss Open certain he'd beat former World Champion Loh Kean Yew — after losing to him twice.
A rising Indian badminton star breaks down the mindset, sacrifices, and rituals behind competing with the world's best — told to a teenager who asks what fans actually want to know.
Kiran's achievements covered in this episode:
Historic Thomas Cup medal with Team India
Beating former World Champion Loh Kean Yew in straight games (Swiss Open)
The legendary 14-20 comeback vs Alex Lanier (India Open 2025)
Facing World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi (Thailand Open 2023)
3 lessons you'll take away:
One point at a time — why thinking about the scoreboard is the fastest way to lose it
Learn to love the hard part — the Goggins principle Kiran applies to 6 AM training
Consistency beats talent — what training beside Lakshya Sen taught him about work ethic
Mentioned in this episode:
Lakshya Sen • Shi Yu Qi • Loh Kean Yew • Alex Lanier •Jonatan Christie • Viktor Axelsen ("Linden" — best
aura) • David Goggins • Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA) • Thomas Cup • India Open • Swiss Open • Thailand Open • Sidemen Comment below: Could YOU come back from14-20 down? What's the biggest pressure you've
ever played under?
ABOUT MIC & MAGIC WITH MANAN
This is a podcast hosted by young India's most curious interviewer — bringing you honest,inspiring conversations with the country's rising sports stars, achievers, and changemakers. New episodes drop every fortnight at 7 AM.
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