India’s wait to win the title in Badminton Asia Championship continues. India’s young shuttler Ayush Shetty, who reached the final of this tournament exactly after 61 years, missed out on winning the title. In the final of the tournament played in China, 20 year old Ayush Shetty had to face defeat by 8-21, 10-21 at the hands of Shi Yuqi of China. With this, the dream of any Indian player of becoming Badminton Asia Champion in singles after 1965 was shattered. However, Ayush got the silver medal, which is India’s second medal in this tournament.
Defeat in the final after a strong performance
He was India’s last hope in this championship played in Ningbo, China. Ayush Shetty Had consistently performed well. Before reaching the finals, he had defeated 3 players ranked in the top-10. This also included last year’s winner and world number-1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn, whom Ayush defeated to make it to the finals. After this, he faced second ranked Yuki in the final but he could not overcome this hurdle.
Current world badminton champion Shi Yuqi maintained her dominance throughout the match and did not let Ayush come close to victory even once. Especially in the first game, the Chinese shuttler won 21-8 without any problem. At the beginning of the second game, Ayush looked in good shape and at one point was leading 5-2 but once Yuki made a comeback, it became difficult to stop him. The tall Indian player had no answer to Yuki’s 30-year-old experience and the Chinese player won the title by winning the second game 21-10.
Medal to India after 61 years
Ayush had reached the finals of such a big tournament for the first time. In such a situation, his failure in front of an experienced player was more hopeful than heartbreaking. Especially he definitely ended the 61 year long wait. India had not won any medal in the singles event in this tournament since 1965. The previous and only medal was won by Dinesh Khanna in 1965. Then he won the final and captured the championship. Now Ayush definitely ended his wait for a medal by winning silver.