Who is Ayush Shetty? Meet the 21-Year-Old Indian Badminton star who defeated World No. 1 Shi Yuqi

Ayush Shetty is a 21-year-old Indian badminton player who made headlines with a stunning victory over world No. 1 and defending champion Shi Yuqi at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi.

By  Ritika Nath August 18th 2026 01:23 PM

Ayush Shetty has made a major statement on the international badminton stage with a stunning victory at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi. The 21-year-old Indian produced a determined performance to defeat defending champion and world No. 1 Shi Yuqi of China in a thrilling three-game contest. Making his World Championships debut, Shetty held his nerve to win 21-14, 13-21, 21-19, securing the biggest victory of his young career.


Who is Ayush Shetty? 

Ayush Shetty is a 21-year-old Indian badminton player who is emerging as one of the promising young names in men's singles. He recently grabbed attention with a stunning victory over China's Shi Yuqi at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi.

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Shetty was making his World Championships debut when he produced the biggest win of his young career. He defeated the defending champion and world No. 1 player 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in a closely fought first-round match at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

Ayush Shetty's Biggest Career Win

Shetty had already made history earlier this year by becoming India’s first men’s singles finalist at the Badminton Asia Championships since 1965. During his run to the silver medal in April, he defeated several top players, including Li Shi Feng, Jonatan Christie and Kunlavut Vitidsarn, and his latest victory over Shi has added another major name to his growing list of high-profile victims.


This time, Shetty entered the match with a different approach. He played with confidence and aggression and did not allow the world No. 1 to control the contest easily. After losing their previous three meetings, Shetty finally found a way to beat one of the biggest names in world badminton.

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Ayush Shetty Makes a Strong Start

Shetty began the match on the front foot. His net play and powerful attacking shots put Shi under pressure from the opening points. He moved well around the court and took advantage of opportunities to build an early lead.

His strong performance helped him win the first game 21-14. However, Shi quickly showed why he is the defending champion and world No. 1.

The Chinese player came back strongly in the second game. Some loose cross-court clears from Shetty gave Shi opportunities to settle into the match. Shi took control and won the game 21-13, sending the match into a deciding third game.

Tense Deciding Game

The third game was the most important part of the contest. Both players fought hard, knowing that one game would decide the winner.

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Shetty managed to stay composed despite the pressure. With the match reaching its crucial stages, he continued to attack and compete for every point. He eventually won the deciding game 21-19 to complete a memorable victory.

Home Crowd Boosts Shetty

The support of the Indian crowd also played an important role. Fans at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium cheered for Shetty throughout the match and gave him extra energy.

Speaking after the victory, Shetty said the crowd was really behind him and that their constant cheering gave him a lot of energy.

Playing a world No. 1 player in his first World Championships was already a major challenge. Doing it in front of a home crowd and coming away with a victory made the moment even more special.

Why Is Ayush Shetty Popular Now?

Ayush Shetty is in the spotlight because of the quality of his victory. Defeating a defending world champion and the current world No. 1 in a three-game match is a major achievement for any player, especially someone competing at the World Championships for the first time.

His victory also showed his ability to learn from previous defeats. After three losses against Shi, Shetty returned stronger and managed to overcome the Chinese star when it mattered most.

Player to Watch in Indian Badminton

The BWF World Championships returned to India after 17 years, creating excitement among badminton fans. Shetty's victory has added another memorable moment to the tournament's return.

At only 21, Shetty has plenty of time to gain experience and improve further. His win over Shi Yuqi could become an important turning point in his career and introduce him to a much wider audience.

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