Ayush Shetty Creates History with Silver at Badminton Asia Championships

Mangalore Today News Network

Karkala, Apr 12, 2026: Karkala native Ayush Shetty scripted history by finishing runner-up at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026, becoming the first Indian in 61 years to win a men’s singles silver medal at the prestigious event.

In the final held at Ningbo, Shetty faced top Chinese shuttler Shi Yuqi but went down in straight games 8-21, 10-21.

Despite the defeat, Shetty impressed with a remarkable run in the tournament, earning the tag of a “giant killer” after defeating several higher-ranked opponents en route to the final. His performance is likely to propel him into the top 20 of the world rankings in men’s singles.

With this achievement, Shetty becomes the first Indian in over six decades to secure a medal in the men’s singles category at the Asian meet, marking a significant milestone for Indian badminton. The previous notable feat dates back to Dinesh Khanna, who won a medal in 1965.

Shetty’s accomplishment has brought pride to his hometown Karkala and the nation, signalling the emergence of a promising new star on the international badminton stage.