Ayush Shetty produced a sensational upset at the Badminton Asia Championships by defeating fifth seed Li Shi Feng in straight games 21-13, 21-16.
The victory marked his first win over the Asian Games gold medallist and propelled him into the Round of 16.
This was the first meeting between Ayush and Li, and expectations favoured the higher-ranked Chinese player. However, Ayush dominated the match, denying Li any chance to recover. The win comes at a crucial time for Ayush, who has struggled to make deep runs on the BWF Tour in 2026.
Ayush will now face Chi Yu Jen of Chinese Taipei, a player he has never encountered before on the international circuit. The match presents a fresh challenge and an opportunity for Ayush to build on his momentum.
Other Indian players also featured prominently in the day’s fixtures. Malvika Bansod lost to Busanan Ongbamrungphan, while Lakshya Sen prepared to face Lee Cheuk Yiu. Kidambi Srikanth lined up against eighth seed Loh Kean Yew, and HS Prannoy readied himself for Nguyen Hai Dang. PV Sindhu, India’s two-time Olympic medallist, was set to clash with Wong Ling Ching.
Indian doubles pairs also entered the fray, with Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi taking on eighth-seeded Chinese opponents, while Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun faced top seeds Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae.
Ayush Shetty’s triumph has boosted India’s campaign, offering hope of strong performances in the tournament’s later stages.
