Ayush Shetty enters Badminton Asia Championships final with comeback win
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India’s Ayush Shetty stormed into the final of the Badminton Asia Championships with a thrilling three-game victory over top seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn in Ningbo, China, on Saturday.
The world No. 25 secured a 10-21, 21-19, 21-17 win in a 75-minute semifinal, assuring himself of at least a silver medal. Vitidsarn, the defending champion, is also a 2023 world champion and Paris Olympics silver medallist.
After losing the opening game, Shetty mounted a strong comeback, using aggressive attacking play and improved defence to turn the match around. The second game proved decisive as he held his nerve to close it out 21-19 after nearly letting a big lead slip.
Former India coach Vimal Kumar said Shetty showed composure and tactical maturity in key moments, especially under pressure.
With this win, Shetty became the first Indian men’s singles player since Dinesh Khanna to reach the final of the tournament. Khanna remains the only Indian to have won the men’s singles gold, achieving the feat in 1965.
The 20-year-old from Mangalore will face China’s Shi Yuqi in the final.
Shetty has had an impressive run in the tournament, defeating top players including Li Shifeng and Jonatan Christie. He also holds notable wins over Lee Zii Jia, Loh Kean Yew, and Brian Yang on the BWF World Tour.
Shetty had entered the semifinal without dropping a game but had previously lost to Vitidsarn in straight games at the Arctic Open last year.