Ayush Shetty ended his remarkable run at the Badminton Asia Championships with a silver medal after losing to world No. 2 Shi Yu Qi in the final at Ningbo on Sunday.
The 20-year-old from Mangalore struggled to find rhythm against the reigning world champion, going down 8-21, 10-21. His defeat prolonged India’s 61-year wait for a men’s singles gold at the continental event. Despite the loss, Ayush became only the second Indian men’s singles player to reach the final after Dinesh Khanna, who won the title in 1965.
Ayush’s journey to the final captured attention worldwide. He stunned top-ranked players, including world No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn, No. 4 Jonatan Christie, and No. 7 Li Shi Feng. His aggressive style and resilience marked him as one of India’s brightest badminton prospects.
Shi Yu Qi, however, displayed tactical brilliance in the final. He controlled rallies, dictated net exchanges, and forced Ayush into errors. The Chinese champion’s variation of strokes and deceptive play denied Ayush the chance to unleash his natural attacking game.
Ayush, ranked world No. 25, had previously lost to Shi at the Malaysia Super 1000 and Indonesia Masters. While he showed improved control this week, he could not overcome Shi’s precision and court geometry.
India’s only other success at the event came in men’s doubles, when Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty lifted the trophy in 2023. Ayush’s silver now adds another milestone to India’s badminton history, signalling the rise of a new generation.
