Ayush Shetty Reflects on Silver Medal at Badminton Asia Championships

Ayush Shetty, the young Indian badminton player, expressed disappointment after losing to Shi Yu Qi in the men's singles final at the Badminton Asia Championships. Despite the loss, he views the experience as a learning opportunity and reflects positively on his overall performance throughout the tournament. Shetty made history by becoming the first Indian to win a silver medal at this event, showcasing his potential against top-ranked players. He identified key areas for improvement, including endurance and shot variation, as he looks forward to future competitions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 12, 2026, 21:33 IST

Shetty Expresses Disappointment but Sees Learning Opportunity

Ayush Shetty, the young Indian badminton player, expressed his disappointment after finishing as the runner-up in the men's singles final against Shi Yu Qi, the World No. 2 from China, at the Badminton Asia Championships. He emphasized that he would take valuable lessons from this experience.

In his post-match comments, Shetty acknowledged the superiority of his opponent, stating, "I feel a bit let down. I aimed for a strong performance, but Shi Yu Qi was clearly the better player today. He maintained constant pressure and didn’t allow me to regain my footing in the match. However, there are many lessons to learn from this experience."

Identifying Areas for Growth

The promising athlete pinpointed specific aspects he needs to enhance, particularly his endurance, strength, and shot variation from the back court. He remarked, "I definitely need to focus on improving my endurance and strength. Additionally, I need to work on my shot variations from the back. This has been a valuable lesson for me, and I will take it as a learning opportunity."

Historic Silver Marks a Significant Achievement

Despite the loss, Shetty maintained a positive outlook on his overall performance during the tournament, calling it a breakthrough week filled with impressive matches and hard-fought victories. He stated, "This week has been fantastic for me. I achieved some great wins, and every match was challenging. I’m proud of how I played throughout the tournament."

Shetty's journey concluded with a Silver medal at the Badminton Asia Championships after a tough match against Shi Yu Qi, where he lost 21-8, 21-10 in the final. At just twenty years old, he made history by becoming the first Indian to win a silver medal at this event and the first finalist in men's singles in 61 years.

Although Shetty started strong in the second game with a 7-2 lead, he couldn't maintain his advantage as Shi quickly regained control, leveling the score at 7-7 and ultimately securing the win.

This tournament showcased Shetty's potential and the promising future of Indian badminton, as he posed significant challenges to top-ranked players, defeating the world’s No. 1, 3, and 7 along the way.