Ayush Shetty Stuns World No.1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Storms into Badminton Asia Final

Ayush Shetty delivered a headline result at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026, defeating World No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn and entering the Badminton Asia final. The 20-year-old Indian, ranked World No.

25, overturned a one-game deficit to win 10-21, 21-19, 21-17 in Ningbo, securing a place in the mens singles title match. The victory against the Paris 2024 silver medallist also rewrote Indian badminton history.

By reaching the Badminton Asia final, Ayush Shetty became only the second Indian, after Dinesh Khanna in 1965, to make the mens singles final at this continental championship, underlining the scale of the achievement on a prestigious stage.

Ayush Shetty Badminton Asia final run creates rare milestone for IndiaAyush Shetty had already assured India of a medal by advancing to the semi-finals of the Badminton Asia Championships 2026, becoming the first Indian mens singles shuttler since HS Prannoy in 2018 to do so.

India rsquo;s last podium finish at this event came in 2023, when Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty captured the mens doubles crown.

The semi-final against Kunlavut Vitidsarn started poorly for Ayush Shetty, who trailed from the outset and lost the opening game 10-21.

Under pressure against the top seed, Ayush Shetty regrouped with steady defence and sharper attack, edging the second game 21-19 before controlling key points in the decider to close it 21-17.

Ayush Shetty Badminton Asia final charge built on strong earlier roundsThe path to the Badminton Asia final featured several big-name wins for Ayush Shetty. The campaign began with a commanding performance against World No. 7 Li Shi Feng.