Ayush Shetty pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the BWF World Championships, knocking out defending champion Shi Yu Qi in a thrilling three-game battle at the Indira Gandhi Arena in New Delhi.
The odds were firmly against the Indian shuttler. Ranked No. 20 in the world, Shetty was up against the world No. 1 and defending champion, with few giving the young Indian much of a chance against one of the tournament favourites. But Shetty produced a performance that matched the occasion, beating Shi 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in a dramatic round-of-64 contest.
Shetty took control of the opening game and quickly put the pressure on the defending champion. He stayed composed through the rallies and made the most of his opportunities to take the game 21-14.
But Shi was not going to surrender his title without a fight. The Chinese star raised his level in the second game, finding his rhythm and putting Shetty under sustained pressure. Shi took the game 21-13 to force a decider, leaving Shetty with the enormous task of beating the world No. 1 in the final game.
The third game lived up to the intensity of the first two. Neither player was willing to give an inch, and the contest remained finely balanced deep into the game. Shetty, however, held his nerve when it mattered most.
The support from the stands continued to rise with every point, and Shetty responded with some of his best badminton of the match. He eventually closed out the deciding game 21-19, sealing a stunning victory that sent the arena into wild celebrations.
For Shetty, it was a win that will be remembered for a long time. He had walked onto Court 1 as the world No. 20 against the defending champion and world No. 1. He walked off having produced a performance for the ages, sending Shi out of the World Championships in the round of 64 and announcing himself on one of badminton’s biggest stages.
Shi also acknowledged that Shetty had made changes to his game since their previous meeting at the Asian Championships, where the Chinese shuttler had beaten the Indian. This time, however, Shetty’s adjustments worked to perfection as he turned the tables on the world No. 1.
Despite the pressure of closing out the deciding game against the world No. 1, Shetty said he focused on keeping himself calm as Shi began to claw his way back and the momentum started to shift.
“I was telling myself to calm down… I was getting a bit nervous because he was catching up and momentum was shifting. I was just telling myself: calm down and be aggressive,” Ayush said after the match.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More
