Ayush Shetty Shocks World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi at BWF World Championships
Ayush Shetty's Remarkable Victory
New Delhi, August 17: Indian badminton player Ayush Shetty expressed gratitude towards the enthusiastic home crowd for their support, which fueled his remarkable victory over defending champion Shi Yu Qi in the men's singles Round of 64 at the 2026 BWF World Championships held in New Delhi.
Competing in front of a vibrant audience at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Shetty, ranked World No. 22, managed to secure a thrilling win against the Chinese player with scores of 21-14, 13-21, 21-19.
Post-match, Shetty acknowledged that the crowd's encouragement provided him with the necessary energy, especially during moments of fatigue. He noted that the match became tense as Shi Yu Qi made a comeback, but he felt relieved to clinch the victory.
“The crowd was incredibly supportive, and it energized me. I felt a bit exhausted, but their cheers revitalized me towards the end. It was nerve-wracking as he was closing the gap, but I managed to hold on. It’s a huge relief,” he shared with reporters.
Shetty began the match with strong smashes and effective net play, putting Shi under pressure and comfortably winning the first game 21-14.
However, after the players switched sides, Shetty encountered challenges. He struggled with his cross-court clears, leading to several errors that allowed Shi to find his rhythm. The Chinese World No. 1 capitalized on these mistakes, leveling the match with a 21-13 win.
The final game was fiercely contested. Shetty established an 11-5 lead at the interval, but Shi fought back in the closing moments. Nevertheless, Shetty maintained his composure and secured the decider 21-19, achieving a stunning upset and eliminating the World No. 1 from the tournament.
This victory also served as a form of revenge for Shetty, who had previously lost to Shi in the Badminton Asia Championships final earlier this year. He now aims to continue his successful journey in the Round of 32.
Shetty remarked that facing Shi Yu Qi was the toughest possible challenge, particularly in the opening round when he was still acclimating to the tournament. He admitted there were several tense moments but was thrilled to achieve the win.
He described the victory as a “top” win, emphasizing that defeating the world No. 1 made it particularly special.
“Competing against Shi Yu Qi is undoubtedly the hardest draw. Facing the world number one is always challenging, regardless of the round. This was my first round, and I was still trying to find my footing. It was tough for both of us, and there were nerve-wracking moments, but I’m glad to have pulled it off today,” he stated.
“I would rank this as my top win. At my home world championship debut against the world number one, it’s a special victory, and I’m extremely happy today,” he concluded.