Ayush Shetty Creates History at Badminton Asia Championships 2026

Ayush Shetty delivered a historic performance at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 in Ningbo, China, reaching the men’s singles final and rewriting Indian badminton history.

The 20-year-old became:

The first Indian men’s singles finalist in 61 years
Only the second Indian ever to reach the final
The first Indian to win silver in men’s singles at the event

🏸 Round-by-Round Results & Scores

🔹 Round of 32

Defeated Li Shifeng (World No.7)
Score: 21-13, 21-16

A dominant opening win against a top-10 player set the tone for the tournament.

🔹 Round of 16

Defeated Chi Yu-jen (World No.20)
Score: 21-16, 21-12

A clinical performance with complete control over rallies and tempo.

🔹 Quarter-final

Defeated Jonatan Christie (World No.4)
Score: 23-21, 21-17

One of the biggest wins of his career:

Saved game points in a tight first set
Maintained composure under pressure
Beat a top-5 player in straight games

🔹 Semi-final

Defeated Kunlavut Vitidsarn (World No.1)
Score: 10-21, 21-19, 21-17

A defining moment:

Came back after losing the first game
Won two high-pressure games
Defeated the world No.1 to enter the final

👉 This win ended India’s 61-year wait for a men’s singles finalist at the Asian Championships.

🥈 Final

Lost to Shi Yuqi (World No.2)
Score: 8-21, 10-21

Ayush fell short in the final, but the campaign marked a historic breakthrough.

🌟 Why This Run Is Historic

First Indian finalist in 61 years
Only second Indian ever to reach the final
First Indian men’s singles silver medalist
Defeated World No.1, No.4, and No.7 in one tournament
First Indian men’s singles medal since 2018

Ayush Shetty’s run at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 is one of the greatest performances in Indian badminton history.

From defeating elite opponents to breaking a 61-year barrier, he has firmly established himself as India’s next big star on the global stage.