Badminton Asia Championships: Ayush Shetty shocks world number one Kunlavut Vitidsarn in thrilling win to book final spot
India’s Ayush Shetty scripted history at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 by storming into the men’s singles final with a stunning three-game comeback win over top seed and defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
India’s Ayush Shetty stormed into the final, assuring at least a silver with a stunning three-game win over top seed and defending champion at the Badminton Asia Championships Ningbo, China on Saturday.
The world No 25 rode on his superior attack and robust defence to script a sensational 10-21, 21-19, 21-17 comeback win over Vitidsarn, the Paris Olympic silver medallist and 2023 world champion.
He thus became the first Indian men's singles player after Dinesh Khanna to reach the finals of the prestigious tournament.
Khanna remains the only Indian to win the men's singles gold at the continental meet in 1965.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty had won the men's doubles title in 2023.
More from Badminton NewsAyush, the US Open Super 300 champion, will next face either Chinese Taipei's fourth seed Chou Tien Chen or second seeded Chinese Shi Yu Qi in the summit clash.
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