Ayush Shetty: Aspiring to be the World’s Best Badminton Player

Key Takeaways

Ayush Shetty won silver at the Badminton Asia Championships.

He aims to be the best player in the world .

Recognized Shi Yu Qi as the superior player in the final.

First Indian men’s singles player to reach the podium since 2018.

Plans to improve consistency in his game.

New Delhi, April 13 (NationPress) Ayush Shetty shared his feelings of pride and hope after securing a silver medal at the Badminton Asia Championships, describing it as a “fantastic tournament” that reinforced his ambition of becoming “the top player in the world.” Despite feeling a sense of disappointment in the final, he acknowledged Shi Yu Qi as the superior competitor that day.

“I believe it was an exceptional tournament for me… I’m truly pleased with my performance throughout. I experienced some challenging matches, but I’m satisfied with how I navigated them all. Regarding the final, I feel a bit let down… I aimed to conclude on a high note, but credit goes to Shi Yu Qi for being the better player. I’m grateful for the silver medal,” Shetty told IANS.

The 20-year-old Indian, currently ranked 25th in the global standings, faced an 8-21, 10-21 defeat against the reigning world champion Yu Qi during the final held at the Ningbo Olympic Center. With his silver medal achievement, Ayush has become the first Indian men’s singles player to reach a podium finish at the continental championship since HS Prannoy did so in 2018.

Ayush's victory over the defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand in the semifinals marked him as just the second Indian men’s singles player, and the third overall, to reach the final of the Badminton Asia Championships. A win in the final would have allowed him to follow in the footsteps of Dinesh Khanna, who was crowned men's singles champion in 1965.

“This tournament has infused me with a lot of confidence that I can attain the status of the best player in the world. The upcoming challenge will be the Thomas Cup… I’m really looking forward to it, and we’ll strive to bring the trophy home. Defeating top players boosts my confidence, but it’s vital that I work on consistently overcoming them. Moving forward, my goal is to maintain consistency and perform at this level regularly,” he added.

Previously, PV Sindhu lauded Ayush Shetty, referring to him as a generational talent after the young athlete advanced to the final of the Badminton Asia Championships following an impressive victory over World No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn.

“It’s truly gratifying when esteemed players like PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy commend my efforts… I’ve always held them in high regard.”

Point of View

It's clear that Ayush Shetty's silver medal at the Badminton Asia Championships marks a significant achievement in Indian badminton. His aspirations and the recognition from established players like PV Sindhu reflect a promising future for the sport in India.

NationPress

5 Jul 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What medal did Ayush Shetty win at the Badminton Asia Championships?

Ayush Shetty won a silver medal at the Badminton Asia Championships.

Who did Ayush Shetty lose to in the final?

He lost to Shi Yu Qi in the final, with a score of 8-21, 10-21.

What is Ayush Shetty's current world ranking?

Ayush Shetty is currently ranked 25th in the world.

Who praised Ayush Shetty for his performance?

PV Sindhu praised Ayush Shetty, calling him a generational talent.

What is Ayush Shetty's next goal in badminton?