Badminton Asia Championships: Ayush Shetty settles for silver after painful loss to Shi Yuqi in final

Ayush Shetty’s sensational run at the 2026 Badminton Asia Championships ended with a silver medal after a challenging final against China’s Shi Yuqi in Ningbo. The 20-year-old Indian found it difficult to find his rhythm against the home favorite, falling 8-21, 10-21 in a match that lasted 42 minutes. The victory marked a career milestone for World No. 2 Yuqi, who secured his first-ever continental gold medal after three previous bronze finishes and extended his head-to-head record against Shetty to 3-0.

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Ayush Shetty settles for silver at Badminton Asia Championships

Despite the loss in the final, it was a historic week for the World No. 25, who cemented his place among India’s badminton elite. By reaching the podium, Shetty became only the seventh Indian man to win a singles medal at this prestigious event. He joins an illustrious list that includes legends like Dinesh Khanna, Prakash Padukone, and Pullela Gopichand, marking the first time an Indian man has reached the men's singles final since Khanna’s gold in 1965.

Ayush Shetty's fairytale campaign ends in agony

Shetty’s path to the silver was nothing short of spectacular, defined by a series of high-profile upsets against the world’s best. In a thrilling semifinal, the 2023 World Junior bronze medallist stunned the defending champion and World no.1, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, coming back from a set down to win. This giant-killing spree began in the very first round and continued through the tournament as he dispatched World No. 7 Li Shi Feng, World No. 20 Chi Yu Jen, and World No. 4 Jonatan Christie.

The young shuttler entered the tournament with significant momentum as the reigning U.S. Open Champion, and his performance in Ningbo further establishes him as a rising force in international badminton. While the gold remained elusive on April 12, his ability to consistently dismantle top-ten opponents throughout the week signals a bright future for the Indian star on the senior circuit.