ShuttleSquad - Badminton Podcast
by Thommy Fox
This is your brand new badminton podcast featuring four European elite players: Kirsty Gilmour (Scotland), Selena Piek (Netherlands), Marvin Seidel (Germany) and Christo Popov (France). You will get a deep look into the life of an athlete on the badminton world tour and will join the four players on their road to PARIS24. The podcast is hosted by Thommy Fox who will talk to one of the four players each week.
Episodes
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[70] The new world no. 1!
A new world no. 1 joins the squad - and he's been there from the start! 🌍🏸For episode 70, Thommy catches up with Christo Popov just days after his historic French Open victory. Winning on home soil not only earned him another Super 750 title but also propelled him to the top of the men's…
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[69] Mind games & the return of confidence
Four European champions. One podcast. And plenty to talk about! Shuttle Squad is back with the full squad as Thommy Fox, Kirsty Gilmour, Christo Popov and Marvin Seidel catch up during the French Open week for episode 69 of the ShuttleSquad badminton podcast. From on-court mind games to the…
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[68] Is Badminton Ready for Change?
Episode 68 of the ShuttleSquad Podcast is here! Thommy is joined by Kirsty Gilmour and Marvin Seidel for a catch-up packed with badminton talk, personal stories and a few controversial opinions. Kirsty is back on court at the Arctic Open in Finland, while the gang discusses recent badminton...
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[67] The Race to World Number 1
Thommy is joined by Kirsty Gilmour and Christo Popov to talk about the latest weeks on tour, the World Championships, life under the spotlight, and the reality of dealing with online abuse and betting-related messages. Christo reflects on his World Championship exit, his rise to World No. 2 and...
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[66] France shocks the world
The World Championships are over — and there is a lot to talk about. In Episode 66, Thommy is joined by Marvin Seidel and Kirsty Gilmour to look back on the World Championships and everything that happened on and off the court. They discuss the incredible competitiveness of the tournament, tough...
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[65] World Champs Preview Pt.2
The World Championships are just around the corner — and Christo Popov has some serious battles ahead.In Episode 65, Christo and Thommy break down Christo’s tough draws in both men’s singles and men’s doubles at the upcoming World Championships in New Delhi, India. Christo also takes us behind…
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[64] World Champs Preview Pt.1
In this episode Kirsty and Thommy break down the women's singles and women's doubles draw of the upcoming badminton world championships in New Delhi, India. Kirsty is in the middle of her preparations and is eager to perform on the biggest stage of world badminton. The European champion shares…
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[63] The Banana Theory
The full Shuttlesquad is back, although Kirsty joins the episode a little later after getting stuck on the way back from practice. Fresh off his Japan Open title, Christo Popov takes us behind the scenes of one of the biggest wins of his career, from battling through tough matches to flying...
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[62] One Goal: World Champion ft. Thom Gicquel
The World Championships are just around the corner, and Thom Gicquel has one clear goal: becoming World Champion. In Episode 62 of the ShuttleSquad Podcast, Thommy, Marvin and Kirsty are joined by French mixed doubles star Thom Gicquel for an honest conversation about the biggest topics in...
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[61] Community Q&A
In Episode 61, Thommy Fuchs, Marvin Seidel and Kirsty Gilmour answer questions from the Shuttle Squad community. The trio discusses training in extreme summer heat, junior development, common mistakes young players make, and practical advice for recreational players looking to improve their game.…
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[60] The Holiday Episode
The whole squad is back together. Thommy Fuchs, Kirsty Gilmour, Marvin Seidel and Christo Popov reunite for a relaxed holiday edition of the Shuttle Squad Podcast after a busy stretch of tournaments across Asia. Recording from Sicily, Lisbon, Slovenia and France, the team discusses how…
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[59] Six Points from World Champions
Episode 59 of the Shuttle Squad Podcast features Thommy Fuchs, Marvin Seidel, and Christo Popov. The main topic is France's historic run to the Thomas Cup Final. Christo shares his perspective from inside the team, discussing the atmosphere, key moments, and what it meant to achieve the best…
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[58] Thomas Cup at home & the 11 month training block (with Mathias Christiansen)
ShuttleSquad goes Thomas & Uber Cup. We had the chance to witness the Team World Championships of Badminton live last week in Horsens, Denmark. During that time we had the chance to record a guest episode with Danish mixed doubles player and World no.7 Mathias Christiansen. We talked about the...
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[57.5] French miracle in Horsens - with Toma Junior Popov
Did this really happen? France fumble their first group match in the Thomas Cup and lose to Thailand 1-4. After beating Algeria they have their backs against the wall and need to win 4-1 against Indonesia... impossible?! Not for this French team! They somehow pull it off and advance to the...
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[57] History in Huelva
The Shuttlesquad - or should we say Medalsquad - reunites for a quick one between league final matches and training sessions. Christo Popov, Kirsty Gilmour and Marvin Seidel take us through their historic week in Huelva, sharing insights into their winning moments and what it all meant. Make sure...
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[56] Popov doubles analysis, the 10% rule
Another live episode, this time at the European Championships 2026 in Huelva. Kirsty, Christo, Marvin and Thommy come together to discuss a variety of interesting badminton topics: - EC prep - conditions in Huelva - how Marvin is already in the quarterfinal before Kirsty and Christo played a…
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[55] Monte Christo & Road to Europeans
Christo reflects on the biggest moment of his career so far — winning the BWF World Tour Finals — and what it really felt like behind the scenes. From surviving a mentally exhausting week of back-to-back battles to dealing with rising expectations in France, he shares how life has changed since...
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[54] Season 3 - We are back!
Welcome back to ShuttleSquad - The badminton podcast of Kirsty Gilmour, Christo Popov, Marvin Seidel and Thommy Fox is kicking of its third season. We are back talking about the World Tour, tournament lifestyle of pro players and basically all things badminton. The team stays the same. We will...
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[53] Hop On Hop Off - Season 2 Finale
It’s the season finale of The Shuttle Squad Podcast! Thommy Fuchs is joined by Kirsty Gilmour, Christo Popov, and Marvin Seidel — in true “hop on, hop off” style — as the squad wraps up another busy year on tour. From email chaos and slippery courts to injuries, team matches, and travel mishaps,...
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[52] HYLO Hype
Thommy, Kirsty, and Marvin are back for another wide-ranging chat from the European tour — from towel mix-ups and giveaways to the excitement of the upcoming home tournament in Saarbrücken. Marvin breaks down what makes playing in front of home crowds so special, while Kirsty shares her take on...
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[51] Xtreme and Limitless
Kirsty Gilmour is back on Shuttlesquad! In episode 51, Thommy catches up with her after an eventful few weeks — from winning the Badminton XL League in Jakarta to battling through injuries in Finland. Kirsty shares how the unique 3v3 format works, why doubles players impressed her more than ever,...
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[50] Badminton’s Invisible Enemy
Episode 50! Thommy is joined by Christo Popov and Marvin Seidel for a boys’ club special. Christo reflects on back-to-back semifinals, breaking into the world’s top 10, and the pressure of being the hunted instead of the hunter. Marvin talks about adjusting to mixed doubles, building a new...
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[49] I can never fully retire - with Hans-Kristian Vittinghus
In this special episode, Thommy sits down with danish legend Hans-Kristian Vittinghus at the World Championships in Paris. From his early memories of the Bitburger Open to becoming Denmark’s men’s singles coach, HK shares candid reflections on his career highs, the Thomas Cup victory, and the...
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[48] World Champs Reactions & Life on Tour
The full squad is back! 🎙️ Christo Popov, Kirsty Gilmour, Marvin Seidel, and Thommy Fuchs dive into the 2025 World Championships, sharing their highs, surprises, and personal experiences. From Kirsty’s close battles in Paris to Christo’s electric winning set that made the arena erupt, the team...
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[47] Badminton Insight Special - with Greg & Jenny Mairs
In this special episode, recorded during the Badminton World Championships in Paris, Thommy sits down with Greg and Jenny Mairs, the creators of Badminton Insight and (former) professional mixed doubles players from England. They share the story behind their journey — from competing on the World...
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[46] Christo's World Champs Wrap-Up
The Badminton World Championships in Paris are over - at least for the Squad. Kirsty lost to Thuy Linh Nguyen in round 2 and Christo was defeated by world number 1 Shi Yuqi in the round of 16. A day after the dramatic match in the Adidas Arena, Thommy and Christo are wrapping up Christo's week....
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[45] Life must go on
Thommy, Kirsty, and Marvin sit down for an honest chat that blends sport and life. Marvin opens up about the loss of his children, how he and his wife are finding support, and what it means to return to training. He also shares why he and Daniel won’t be in Paris for the World Championships this...
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[44] The Reunion
This week, Thommy, Kirsty, and Christo are joined by special guest & former co-host Selena Piek for a heartfelt (and often hilarious) conversation about her retirement from professional badminton. From career highlights to behind-the-scenes tour memories, Selina opens up about the highs, lows…
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[43] World Champs Prep & Fringe Debut
An episode planned as a little 20-minute chat between Kirsty and Thommy turned into a full 40min+ one with loads of different interesting topics: - Preparations for the World Championships - especially working on details and the suspicious, guilty feeling of tapering before an important...
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[42] Drift happens
Christo, Kirsty, and Thommy reunite to talk about the highs, lows, and windy chaos of recent tournaments. From the extreme court conditions at the China Open to wild service errors and personal updates, it’s another honest and entertaining deep dive into life on tour. Highlights: Christo’s win…
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[41] Robberies and Seo Praise
In episode 41 of ShuttleSquad, Marvin and Thommy are on their own as Kirsty and Christo are both without solid internet connection during the China Open. The boys take their time on recapping the Japan Open, especially the way Christo's semifinal run ended and also discussed the new World…
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[40] Cucumber Curiosities
For the first time online, all four hosts are present! Kirsty, Christo, Marvin, and Thommy reunite for a full squad episode. From tournament grind to solo travel, revenge matches to odd food adventures – this one has it all. Highlights include: Kirsty’s reflections on traveling solo in Asia...
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[39] Wine, Beer and Cider
Join host Thommy and Kirsty as they welcome the second guest in ShuttleSquad history: Mia Blichfeldt for an unfiltered Girls Club session. They talk dropping bad habits, major life changes, the Women’s Badminton Collective, and confront one important topic, that is still too often tabooed:...
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[38] Boys Club
This week, it’s just the guys! With Kirsty on holiday, Christo Popov and Marvin Seidel join Thommy for a wide-ranging chat on all things badminton. From life after a short break to the challenges of climbing the rankings, the group gets real about the demands of the tour, the state of the sport,...
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[37] The Real Slim Shady
Thommy catches up with Christo Popov and Kirsty Gilmour after the recent Asian tour. Christo shares insights on the tough conditions in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, while Kirsty talks training, travel, and tournament life. Plus, the squad dives into hot takes on nutrition, doubles vs....
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[36] A New Chapter!
In this exciting episode 36 of the ShuttleSquad – Badminton Podcast, Kirsty, Marvin, and Thommy dive into some major upcoming changes in the world of badminton, while Christo is busy competing in the Singapore Open semifinals. Thommy brings a fresh perspective by sharing lessons from recent…
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[35] New era for badminton scoring?
In this episode, host Thomas Fuchs is joined by Christo Popov and Kirsty Gilmour to take a deep dive into the current badminton scoring system. Is it holding the sport back? Could a change make it more attractive? The squad shares their thoughts, debates possible improvements, and explores how...
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[34] Be that guy!
Who's the best coach Marvin's ever had? What is he focussing on while doing video analysis? Is there a training exercise Marvin really hates? In this one on one episode the newly crowned winner of the Luxembourg Open in mixed doubles Marvin Seidel & Thommy Fuchs are discussing these - and many…
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[33] Badminton fatigue
Is the badminton calendar too full? How can we create more highlights? When is it okay to push through an injury and when is it better to call it off? Are we all just a little tired of badminton after a fast paced start to 2025? Kirsty, Marvin, and Thommy discussing all these topics in this weeks...
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[32] Popov brothers special
Please welcome our first guest in ShuttleSquad history: Toma Junior Popov! This episode provides insight in the relationship of the french brothers Toma Junior and Christo Popov who both are in the top-25 in the men's singels world ranking + are also ranked no. 18 in men's doubles! Two brothers…
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[31] We didn't see that coming
Christo Popov just became European Champions... in doubles! No front, but we didn't see that coming, and Christo also didn't. In this episode we obviously wrap up the European Championships that took place in Horsens, Denmark form April 8 -13. Not a full wrap, as Kirsty could not join the Squad...
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[30] Comeback of the Year
The ShuttleSquad is back! After a solid 6-month-break, Kirsty Gilmour , Christo Popov, Marvin Seidel and Thommy Fox gather around their microphones for the kick-off of season 2. And could there be a better timing for the first ever group episode? We don't think so! After a little Olympics…
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[29] The final wrap-up - with Kirsty, Christo & Selena
The last episode of this Olympic journey of the ShuttleSquad. After getting a deep insight in Marvin's experience in the last episode, Thommy is wrapping things up with Kirsty, Christo and Selena. It was an intense ride and everybody took some time off after Paris but we wanted to end this…
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[28] Why do I do this? - with Marvin Seidel
Back after a while.. with a deep one! After taking some time off and recovering from the Olympics, Marvin and Thommy are back with a new episode of ShuttleSquad. Looking back at Marvin's hard time preparing for the Olympics with his injured partner Mark and what happened behind the scenes before...
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[27] The Olympic experience - with Christo Popov
Christo and Thommy are talking about Christo's first Olympic Games and the experience to walk into the most crowded arena on home soil. Don't miss Christo's match analysis and his take on the upcoming men's singles final and why in his opinion it could be Viktor's last chance to take a Gold at…
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[26] Live Call from Paris - with Selena Piek
You better put your headphones on and turn up the volume a notch, because this is a live call from a windy roof top terrace of the Team NL Building in the Olympic Village. Selena Piek dialed in for a quick update from Paris just a day before the Olympic Games officially kick off with the Opening...
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[25] In the centre of scandals - with Kirsty Gilmour
Stressful times for badminton fans following our beloved sport filling the headlines, not with praise for one of the coolest sports there is, but with discussions around men's doubles draws and withdrawals due to missed doping tests. Kirsty and Thommy try to wrap up the latest news and are…
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[24] Olympic Draws Special - with Marvin Seidel
A fair bit of confusion around the badminton world yesterday when the BWF announced that the men's doubles draw for the Olympic Games will be postponed just a few hours before the draw of the remaining four disciplines started. In today's special episode Thommy and Marvin Seidel are talking about...
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[23] It could be because of Ginting - with Christo Popov
Episode 23 with Christo Popov coming to you with a little delay but is still 100% worth diving into Christo's Olympic preparations. It's the last episode we will get the draws for Paris and Christo hands in his guesses for the gold medals & will tell you what factor will probably make the...
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[22] It hurt a little bit - with Selena Piek
We're back from our little 2-week summer break with a very special one. Robin Tabeling, Selena'a mixed doubles partner, recently announced his retirement at the end of the year and Thommy and Selena discussed what that means for her career. More topics: The Dutch NOC will cut the badminton…
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About this show
This is your brand new badminton podcast featuring four European elite players: Kirsty Gilmour (Scotland), Selena Piek (Netherlands), Marvin Seidel (Germany) and Christo Popov (France). You will get a deep look into the life of an athlete on the badminton world tour and will join the four players on their road to PARIS24. The podcast is hosted by Thommy Fox who will talk to one of the four players each week.
Hosted by
Thommy Fox
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