New Delhi, 

India’s rising badminton star Ayush Shetty delivered a sensational performance at the BWF World Championships 2026, defeating defending champion and World No. 1 Shi Yuqi of China 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in the Round of 64. The 21-year-old from Karnataka impressed the home crowd in New Delhi with his aggressive smashes and resolute defence. The victory was particularly significant as it was Shetty’s first win over Shi after three consecutive defeats, including his straight-game loss to the Chinese star in the Badminton Asia Championships final earlier this year.

Shetty made a confident start, taking the opening game 21-14. Shi responded strongly in the second game, winning it 21-13, but Shetty remained composed and continued to fight. The Indian shuttler raised his level in the deciding game and eventually secured a thrilling 21-19 victory, completing one of the biggest wins of his career.

The victory adds to a remarkable year for Shetty. Earlier in 2026, he became the first Indian men’s singles player in 61 years to reach the Badminton Asia Championships final. His run also included an impressive semi-final victory over Kunlavut Vitidsarn, signalling his emergence on the international stage. Shetty began playing badminton at the age of eight in Sanoor near Karkala, Karnataka, where his father coached him in their backyard. His family later moved to Bengaluru so he could receive better training, and he subsequently developed his game at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy.

Shetty’s breakthrough arrived in 2025 when he captured the US Open title by defeating Brian Yang in straight games, securing his first BWF World Tour crown. He also registered wins over top-10 players Li Shi Feng and Chi Yu Jen at the Asia Championships. Earlier, he had claimed bronze at the 2023 World Junior Championships in Spokane, won the Denmark Junior International in 2021 and finished runner-up at the Odisha Masters Super 100, Bahrain International Challenge and Dutch Open. His latest triumph over the world’s top-ranked player further underlines his rapid rise and establishes Shetty as one of India’s most exciting young badminton prospects.