2 weeks ago
Shetty Stuns World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi at Worlds
Ayush Shetty is a 21-year-old badminton player from India.
He played at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi for the very first time.
In his first match, he faced Shi Yu Qi, the best badminton player in the world.
Shi Yu Qi was also the defending champion from last year.
Most people expected Shi Yu Qi to win easily.
But Ayush played bravely and won the first game.
Shi Yu Qi won the second game to tie the match.
In the final game, Ayush stayed calm and won 21-19.
The crowd in New Delhi cheered loudly for him.
It was one of the biggest wins of his career.
Unseeded Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty defeated world No. 1 and defending champion Shi Yu Qi 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in the Men's Singles Round of 64 at the BWF World Championships 2026 in New Delhi.
The 21-year-old's victory was his first-ever win over Shi Yu Qi, who had beaten him in the Badminton Asia Championships final earlier this year in just 40 minutes.
Shetty held his nerve in the deciding game, winning 21-19 after Shi saved four match points, completing the 73-minute upset.
PV Sindhu beat Ireland's Sophia Noble 21-7, 21-11, earning her fifth World Championships medal and matching China's Zhang Ning for the most women's singles medals.
Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand beat Spain's Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez 21-9, 21-13, as all five Indians in action on Monday advanced to the second round.
- Who
- Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty, world No. 1 and defending champion Shi Yu Qi of China, and fellow Indians PV Sindhu, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand.
- What
- Shetty upset Shi Yu Qi 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in the Men's Singles Round of 64, while Sindhu and the Indian women's doubles pair also won their opening matches.
- Where
- Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium (also referred to as Indira Gandhi International Stadium) in New Delhi, India.
- When
- Monday, August 17, 2026.
- Why
- Shetty combined aggressive net play and powerful smashes with composure in the deciding game, backed by a loud home crowd.
Key facts
- Event
- BWF World Championships 2026
- Round
- Men's Singles Round of 64
- Final Score
- 21-14, 13-21, 21-19
- Match Duration
- 73 minutes
- Venue
- Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi
- Date
- August 17, 2026
- Shetty's Age
- 21 (World No. 22)
- Sindhu's Result
- Beat Sophia Noble 21-7, 21-11
Quotes
Social media user
A Twitter user reacting to the match
“"Ayush Shetty went into THAT territory we all have seen so many times where Indian shuttlers have messed up a seemingly insurmountable lead BUT he came out of it just in time. Massive win for the World Championships debutant over defending champion Shi Yu Qi!"”
freepressjournal.in
“I was telling myself to calm down. I was getting a bit nervous because he was really catching up. The momentum was with him and everything I did, he somehow managed to retrieve. So I think I was trying to calm down and you know, be aggressive.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Five match points, one giant-killing: Ayush Shetty packs off defending champion Shi Yu Qi in BWF World Championships 2026
BWF World Championships 2026: Ayush Shetty upsets reigning world champion Shi Yuqi in opening match; PV Sindhu wins
BWF World Championships: Ayush Shetty Shocks World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi; Moves To Round Of 32
Who is Ayush Shetty? Meet the Indian shuttler who stunned defending champion Shi Yuqi at BWF World Championships
BWF Worlds: Ayush Shetty STUNS World No 1 Shi Yuqi In Thriller
Ayush Shetty upsets World no 1 and world champion Shi Yuqi
'Oh My God!': Ayush Shetty Stuns World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi With Historic BWF World Championships 2026 Win; Fans React
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