Indian Ayush Shetty Wins Silver at Badminton Asia Championships

In Ningbo, China, on Sunday, 20-year-old Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty claimed silver in men's singles at the 2026 Badminton Asia Championships, marking the first final appearance by an Indian in the event since 1965 and signaling a resurgence for the nation's badminton prospects.

Shetty, ranked 25th in the world, entered the tournament unseeded and delivered a string of upsets to reach the final at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Center. He defeated China's Li Shifeng, the seventh-ranked player, in the opening round with a pivotal net block that shifted momentum and went viral online. In the quarterfinals, Shetty overcame Indonesia's Jonatan Christie, the fourth seed and former Asian Games champion, by controlling tricky shuttle conditions at the net. His semifinal triumph came against Thailand's top-ranked Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the Paris Olympics silver medalist, in a 10-21, 21-19, 21-17 comeback that showcased his growing resilience in longer rallies.

The final proved challenging, as Shetty fell 8-21, 10-21 to China's second-ranked Shi Yuqi, the reigning world champion. Shi dominated with precise lengths and sharp attacks, limiting Shetty's opportunities at the net. "I think it was a...