Sports
oi-Gaurav Sharma
Ayush Shetty delivered a headline result at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026, defeating World No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn and entering the Badminton Asia final. The 20-year-old Indian, ranked World No. 25, overturned a one-game deficit to win 10-21, 21-19, 21-17 in Ningbo, securing a place in the men’s singles title match.
The victory against the Paris 2024 silver medallist also rewrote Indian badminton history. By reaching the Badminton Asia final, Ayush Shetty became only the second Indian, after Dinesh Khanna in 1965, to make the men’s singles final at this continental championship, underlining the scale of the achievement on a prestigious stage.
In the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 held in Ningbo, India’s Ayush Shetty defeated World No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn to reach the men’s singles final, becoming only the second Indian man to achieve this milestone since Dinesh Khanna in 1965.
Ayush Shetty Badminton Asia final run creates rare milestone for India
Ayush Shetty had already assured India of a medal by advancing to the semi-finals of the Badminton Asia Championships 2026, becoming the first Indian men’s singles shuttler since HS Prannoy in 2018 to do so. India’s last podium finish at this event came in 2023, when Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty captured the men’s doubles crown.
The semi-final against Kunlavut Vitidsarn started poorly for Ayush Shetty, who trailed from the outset and lost the opening game 10-21. Under pressure against the top seed, Ayush Shetty regrouped with steady defence and sharper attack, edging the second game 21-19 before controlling key points in the decider to close it 21-17.
Ayush Shetty Badminton Asia final charge built on strong earlier rounds
The path to the Badminton Asia final featured several big-name wins for Ayush Shetty. The campaign began with a commanding performance against World No. 7 Li Shi Feng. Ayush Shetty then overcame Chin Yu Jen in the following round, keeping momentum and confidence high during the high-profile tournament in Ningbo.
Ayush Shetty’s quarter-final win over World No. 4 Jonatan Christie was another strong result. That match underlined Ayush Shetty’s ability to handle pressure against established opponents. With Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu exiting early, Ayush Shetty gradually became India’s main medal hope in singles, carrying expectations with composure through each round.
Ayush Shetty Badminton Asia final prospects and upcoming opponents
Standing on the verge of a first continental title, Ayush Shetty will now meet either Chou Tien Chen or Shi Yuqi in the Badminton Asia final. Both potential opponents bring vast experience on the circuit, yet Ayush Shetty’s current form, highlighted by wins over three top-ten players, suggests another intense contest awaits.
The scale of Ayush Shetty’s progress at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 is clear from the list of defeated rivals. Each round presented a higher-ranked challenge, yet Ayush Shetty continued finding answers on court, signalling a strong rise in Indian men’s singles badminton and offering encouragement for future multi-sport events.
| Stage | Opponent | Opponent Ranking | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Li Shi Feng | World No. 7 | Ayush Shetty won |
| Next Round | Chin Yu Jen | — | Ayush Shetty won |
| Quarter-final | Jonatan Christie | World No. 4 | Ayush Shetty won |
| Semi-final | Kunlavut Vitidsarn | World No. 1 | Ayush Shetty won 10-21, 21-19, 21-17 |
The Ningbo performance, capped by the win over Kunlavut Vitidsarn, stands as the biggest result of Ayush Shetty’s career so far. With a medal assured and a historic Badminton Asia final ahead, Ayush Shetty has already strengthened India’s presence in continental men’s singles, while creating fresh expectations for the closing match.
