New Delhi: Indian badminton sensation Ayush Shetty described his stunning victory over defending champion and world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi as a “really special win”, but insisted that his focus remains firmly on the next challenge at the BWF World Championships.
The 21-year-old from Mangaluru produced one of the biggest victories of his young career, defeating Shi 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in a gripping first round men’s singles contest. The result adds another major name to Shetty’s growing list of high-profile victories.
Shetty had already made headlines earlier this year by becoming India’s first men’s singles finalist at the Badminton Asia Championships since 1965. During that run, he defeated several established stars, including Li Shi Feng, Jonatan Christie and Kunlavut Vitidsarn, before settling for the silver medal. He also won the 2025 US Open Super 300.
Reflecting on his latest triumph, Shetty said he was delighted with his performance and had entered the match mentally and physically prepared for a demanding contest.
The Indian appeared to be in control during the deciding game, opening up a substantial lead before Shi mounted a late comeback. The Chinese star reduced the deficit to 20-19, putting Shetty under immense pressure. However, the Indian remained composed and finished the match.
Shetty credited his coach’s advice and the strong home support for helping him maintain his composure. The energetic crowd, he said, provided an important boost whenever he faced difficult moments.
He also felt that the conditions were manageable compared with training, particularly the court drift, which did not create a significant advantage for either side.
Despite defeating the tournament’s top seed, Shetty is refusing to look too far ahead. He said every opponent at this level presents a major challenge and his immediate priority is preparing for the next round.
With the World Championships being held on home soil, the young Indian admitted that winning the title would be a dream, but stressed that he wants to remain focused and keep his attention on the task immediately ahead.