Ayush Shetty Reflects on Silver Medal Win at Badminton Asia Championships Ayush Shetty, the 20-year-old Indian badminton player, has expressed his determination to improve after securing a historic silver medal at the Badminton Asia Championships. The tournament, held in Ningbo, China, saw Shetty become the first Indian to reach the men’s singles final in 61 years, a milestone that highlights his growing prominence in the sport. Despite falling short of gold to the dominant Shi Yu Qi, Shetty described the loss as a valuable lesson, emphasizing the need for greater patience and tactical adjustments in future matches. Shetty’s journey to the final was marked by a series of impressive upsets, including victories over top-ranked players like Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Jonatan Christie, and Li Shi Feng. These wins showcased his ability to compete with the world’s best, a trait he attributes to his admiration for legends like Lee Chong-wei, Viktor Axelsen, and Kidambi Srikanth. “I always wanted to be one of the best players in the world,” Shetty said during a virtual press conference. “Now, I believe I can be among the top players. I really want to be the best. I know I have to put in a lot of work and keep on improving.” The final against Shi Yu Qi, however, proved to be a challenging test. Shi’s aggressive playstyle left Shetty with limited opportunities to dominate at the net, a factor Shetty acknowledged as a critical area for improvement. “He didn’t give me a chance to attack. He kept his length perfect. He didn’t give me a chance to dominate at the net. He was pushing the pace and really not giving me any chance at the net,” Shetty explained. “I need to be more patient and play longer rallies.” While the loss was disappointing, Shetty remained proud of his performance throughout the tournament.#ayush_shetty #badminton_asia_championships #ningbo_china #shiyu_qi #pv_sindhu_coach
Ayush Shetty Chases Global Ambitions After Badminton Asia Silver Ayush Shetty’s remarkable week at the 2026 Badminton Asia Championships culminated in a silver medal, marking a pivotal moment in his career and offering a glimpse of his potential to become a global force in the sport. The 20-year-old Indian player, ranked 25th in the world, showcased his prowess by defeating three top-10 opponents—world No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn, world No. 4 Jonatan Christie, and world No. 7 Li Shi Feng—before falling to world champion Shi Yu Qi in the final. Despite the loss, his performance was hailed as a standout achievement, particularly given the context of India’s recent struggles in international badminton. Shetty’s run through the tournament was characterized by a blend of technical precision and aggressive play, including a split-second shot that went viral on social media. This display of skill and determination underscored his growing confidence, even as he acknowledged the final loss as a learning opportunity. “I always wanted to be one of the best players in the world,” he said during a media interaction in China. “But earlier, I would say I didn’t believe it as much as I do now. Over time, I’ve started believing it more.” His words reflect a shift in mindset, driven by the confidence gained from consecutive victories over higher-ranked players. The tournament in Ningbo also highlighted Shetty’s ability to adapt his playing style, particularly his newfound aggression. “I was more aggressive this week than usual,” he noted. “Usually, I’m not, but this week I was, showing how much I really wanted to win all the matches.#ayush_shetty #badminton_asia_championships #pv_sindhu #victor_axelsen #centre_for_badminton_excellence
Ayush Shetty Advances to Badminton Asia Championships Quarterfinals; Sindhu, Prannoy Exit Ayush Shetty secured his place in the quarterfinals of the Badminton Asia Championships after a hard-fought victory over Chen Long of China. The Indian player demonstrated tactical precision and resilience during the match, overcoming challenges to advance to the next round. In the first game, Shetty maintained a commanding lead, eventually finishing with a score of 21-16. The second game saw him capitalize on key moments, including a six-point burst that shifted the momentum in his favor. At 4-6, Shetty executed a series of aggressive net plays, forcing Chen into errors. By the end of the match, Shetty had built a substantial lead, closing out the game with a 21-13 scoreline. His next opponent will be third-seeded Indonesian player Jonathan Christie, a formidable challenge that will test his skills and composure. The tournament witnessed several notable exits, with top players like PV Sindhu and Sourabh Verma falling short of their goals. Sindhu, a reigning champion, faced an early setback against a determined opponent. Despite her experience and technical prowess, she struggled to adapt to the opponent’s aggressive style of play. The match ended with Sindhu losing in straight games, marking a disappointing exit for the world number one. Similarly, Sourabh Verma, who had shown promise in previous rounds, was eliminated by a rival who executed a flawless strategy. Verma’s inability to maintain consistency in critical moments cost him the match, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament. The results of the tournament underscore the depth of talent in Asian badminton. Ayush Shetty’s performance exemplifies the blend of technical skill and mental fortitude required to succeed at this level.#ayush_shetty #badminton_asia_championships #chen_long #jonathan_christie #pv_sindhu
Ayush Shetty Assured Of A Medal At Badminton Asia Championships After Shocking World No. 4 Jonatan Christie Indian badminton player Ayush Shetty made history at the Badminton Asia Championships by defeating world No. 4 Jonatan Christie of Indonesia in a thrilling semi-final clash at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Center. The victory, which came in a tightly contested two-game match with scores of 23-21 and 21-17, marked Shetty’s first-ever win over Christie and secured his place in the semi-finals. This achievement also made Shetty the first Indian men’s singles player since HS Prannoy in 2018 to guarantee a medal at the continental event. The win was particularly significant as it ended a long drought for India in the singles category, with the country’s last medal at the Badminton Asia Championships dating back to Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy’s men’s doubles gold in 2023. The match against Christie, a third-seeded Olympian, was a rollercoaster of rallies. In the first game, both players exchanged intense points, with Christie leading 11-10 at the break. However, Shetty mounted a remarkable comeback, forcing the game into a tie-breaker. Christie briefly took control, reaching a game point, but Shetty’s resilience allowed him to level the score and eventually win the first set. The second game followed a similar pattern, with Shetty maintaining a narrow 11-9 lead before closing out the match decisively. Christie’s defeat marked a major upset, as he had previously been a dominant force in international tournaments. Shetty’s path to the semi-finals had already been filled with notable victories. In the opening round, he stunned world No.#ayush_shetty #jonatan_christie #badminton_asia_championships #ningbo_olympic_sports_center #paris_2024
