Ayush Shetty settles for silver after dream run at Badminton Asia Championships

India’s rising badminton star Ayush Shetty signed off with a silver medal after finishing runner-up in the Badminton Asia Championships men’s singles final, going down 8-21, 10-21 to reigning world champion and home favourite Shi Yu Qi in Ningbo, China, on Sunday, as per reports.

The 20-year-old Indian, who had stunned World No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the semi-final to script the biggest win of his career, could not recreate the same intensity against the dominant Chinese star. Shi Yu Qi controlled the match from the outset, using his precision and relentless pace to wrap up the contest in just 42 minutes before an enthusiastic home crowd.

Despite the straight-game defeat, the silver marks a landmark achievement in Shetty’s young career and confirms his arrival on the big stage of international badminton. Ranked World No. 25 coming into the tournament, Shetty’s giant-killing run in Ningbo included impressive victories over top-ranked opponents, including former world champion Jonathan Christie and Vitidsarn.

With this podium finish, Shetty became the first Indian men’s singles player since H S Prannoy in 2018 to finish among the medal winners at the continental championship, underlining his rapid emergence as one of India’s brightest badminton prospects.

(with inputs from syndicated feed)