The Average Not Average Podcast

In this episode of The Average Not Average Podcast, Viktor Axelsen and CK Yew sit down with Tamara Geeraerts, Tournament Director of the Yonex German Open, to explore what really goes on behind the scenes of a professional BWF World Tour tournament.
From sponsorships, logistics, volunteers and broadcast production, to the pressure of the tournament week itself, Tamara shares the realities of organising one of Europe’s biggest badminton events and the countless moving parts fans never get to see.

Chapter Timestamps:
00:35 Introduction to Tamara Geeraerts
04:26 The Role of a BWF Tournament Director
06:20 How BWF Tournament Organisation Works
08:29 The Importance of Volunteers
11:41 People Needed to Run a BWF Tournament
14:03 Financial Aspects of Tournament Management
17:54 Sponsorship and Marketing Challenges
20:29 The Transition to Higher-Level Tournaments
27:05 The Future of Badminton Tournaments
29:06 The Challenges of Funding & Sponsorship
34:41 Understanding Tournament Costs & Budgets
36:56 The Complexity of Venue Management
42:37 Financial Realities of Tournament Organisation
44:32 The Unique Structure of Tournament Management in Germany
45:54 Insurance & Risk Management in Events
50:50 Navigating Sponsorship Categories & Restrictions
57:22 The Rewards and Challenges of Organising Tournaments
1:01:41 The Importance of Collaboration Among Tournament Directors

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- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaveragenotaverage/
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Keep in touch with CK & Viktor here:
- CK's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkmY5ThPy3GLINI0m06ffaQ
- Viktor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkuVto4oGsgdEisvXlUaHvg
- CK's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckyew_official/
- Viktor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viktoraxelsen/

You can also find our conversations on:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BwlJdllHEuttY24Jbcrz8?si=d5-BYAQkSoG7pMhKdskf4Q
- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-average-not-average-podcast/id1797766159
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQxuJfUZRhZn4s5SDKoS_Vw

In this episode of The Average Not Average Podcast, hosts CK Yew and Viktor Axelsen catch up on what they’ve been up to, including a health update from CK, and what Viktor’s life looks like after retiring from international badminton. They discuss the transition out of elite sport, the importance of recovery and health management, and future plans.**Chapter Timestamps:**00:45 Introduction 01:38 CK’s Health Update & Recovery Journey05:41 The Week Of Viktor’s Retirement Announcement09:29 Life After Badminton: Viktor's New Routine10:17 Viktor’s New Training Goals14:20 Reflections on the Thomas Cup18:55 Viktor On Staying Connected to Badminton19:40 The Mental Transition Out of Elite Sport23:28 Navigating Health Challenges26:21 The Importance of Patience in Recovery22:46 Nutritional Insights During Recovery30:06 Future Plans & Business Ventures37:33 CK’s Haircut Challenges40:02 Future Trips & Contributions to Para BadmintonFollow us on social media for more content!- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaveragenotaverage/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaveragenotaverageKeep in touch with CK & Viktor here:- CK's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkmY5ThPy3GLINI0m06ffaQ- Viktor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkuVto4oGsgdEisvXlUaHvg- CK's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckyew_official/- Viktor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viktoraxelsen/You can also find our conversations on:- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BwlJdllHEuttY24Jbcrz8?si=d5-BYAQkSoG7pMhKdskf4Q- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-average-not-average-podcast/id1797766159- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQxuJfUZRhZn4s5SDKoS_Vw

In this episode of The Average Not Average Podcast, CK Yew interviews Manak Kapoor, co-founder of Hndrd, a rapidly growing badminton brand. They discuss the intricacies of building a global sports brand, challenges in distribution, the importance of retailers, localisation strategies, and the future of badminton industry dynamics.

Chapter Timestamps:
00:47 Introduction to Manak Kapoor and Hndrd
02:50 Manak's Journey from Software to Sports
04:37 The Rapid Growth of Hndrd in Badminton
06:03 Challenges of Entering the Chinese Market
07:55 The Complexity of Product Distribution
11:25 Global Launch Strategies for Badminton Products
14:28 Estimating the Global Badminton Market Size
20:29 Revenue Disparities in Badminton vs Other Sports
22:58 The Future Goals of Hndrd
24:11 Localisation Challenges and Strategies
27:15 Product Line Diversity Across Markets
33:13 Navigating Regulatory Challenges in India
35:55 Cultural and Economic Differences in Europe
38:49 The Dominance of the Chinese Market in Badminton
40:35 Cultural Influences on Product Design
42:43 Challenges of Expanding in a Competitive Landscape
47:48 The Importance of Retailers in Badminton
53:33 Navigating Content Creation and Partnerships
55:53 The Value of Retailer Education
59:58 Navigating Copyright Challenges
01:01:41 Price Compression and Retail Dynamics
1:07:59 Stringing Challenges in Europe
01:13:42 Manak’s Top Lessons Learned in Business
01:22:01 Future Aspirations for BadmintonFollow us on social media for more content!
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaveragenotaverage/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaveragenotaverageKeep in touch with CK & Viktor here:
- CK's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkmY5ThPy3GLINI0m06ffaQ
- Viktor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkuVto4oGsgdEisvXlUaHvg
- CK's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckyew_official/
- Viktor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viktoraxelsen/You can also find our conversations on:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BwlJdllHEuttY24Jbcrz8?si=d5-BYAQkSoG7pMhKdskf4Q
- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-average-not-average-podcast/id1797766159
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQxuJfUZRhZn4s5SDKoS_Vw

Viktor Axelsen opens up about his journey through injuries, his decision to step away from professional badminton, and what lies ahead in the next chapter of his life. This is a heartfelt and reflective conversation between CK Yew and Viktor, where Viktor expresses deep gratitude for the journey - from the people who supported him along the way to the experiences that shaped him both on and off the court. They also explore the sacrifices behind elite sport, the mental resilience required to stay at the top, and the lessons he’s learned throughout his career.

Chapter Timestamps:
00:41 Viktor Axelsen's Retirement Announcement
03:12 The Journey of Injuries and Challenges
11:01 Decision-Making and Support System
12:09 Future Plans and Partnerships
15:46 Reflections on Viktor’s Mindset & Career
21:17 Transitioning to Life After Badminton
23:37 Viktor’s Dedication To Excellence
24:56 Reflections on Early Career and Achievements
28:31 The Pursuit of Excellence in Training
33:47 The Role of Badminton Denmark in Viktor’s Journey
35:50 The Impact of NAS on Viktor’s Training
37:20 Building Relationships with Sponsors
39:18 The Importance of Friends and Family
46:01 Appreciation for Fans and Supporters

Follow us on social media for more content!
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaveragenotaverage/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaveragenotaverage

Keep in touch with CK & Viktor here:
- CK's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkmY5ThPy3GLINI0m06ffaQ
- Viktor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkuVto4oGsgdEisvXlUaHvg
- CK's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckyew_official/
- Viktor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viktoraxelsen/

You can also find our conversations on:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BwlJdllHEuttY24Jbcrz8?si=d5-BYAQkSoG7pMhKdskf4Q
- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-average-not-average-podcast/id1797766159
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQxuJfUZRhZn4s5SDKoS_Vw

In this episode of The Average Not Average Podcast, CK Yew, Viktor Axelsen, and guest Thomas Fuchs explore the evolving landscape of badminton media, content creation, and strategies to grow the sport's profile globally. They also share insights on balancing professionalism with authenticity, managing teams, and the importance of having a presence on social media.

Chapter Timestamps:
00:36 Introduction
05:23 Celebrating Social Media Nominations
09:57 The Impact of Social Media on Badminton
13:56 Running a Federation Account & Importance of Content Creation
23:12 Podcasting Goals & Showcasing the Athlete's Perspective
28:51 Challenges of Mixed Zone Interviews
30:33 The United Strand Challenge in Badminton
32:21 Balancing Fun and Seriousness in Content
36:12 Commentating in Badminton
46:47 The Journey of Podcasting and Content Creation
53:20 The Importance of Paid Opportunities in Media
57:35 Balancing Multiple Roles in Media
01:06:46 Growing a Team vs. Solo Work
01:11:14 The Business Side of Content Creation

Follow us on social media for more content!
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaveragenotaverage/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaveragenotaverageKeep in touch with CK & Viktor here:
- CK's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkmY5ThPy3GLINI0m06ffaQ
- Viktor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkuVto4oGsgdEisvXlUaHvg
- CK's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckyew_official/
- Viktor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viktoraxelsen/

You can also find our conversations on:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BwlJdllHEuttY24Jbcrz8?si=d5-BYAQkSoG7pMhKdskf4Q
- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-average-not-average-podcast/id1797766159
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQxuJfUZRhZn4s5SDKoS_Vw