Ayush Shetty Vs Shi Yu Qi Highlights, Badminton Asia Championships: Indian Shuttler's Dream Run Ends In Heartbreak

Good afternoon, badminton fans! This is the start of our live blog covering Ayush Shetty’s Badminton Aisa Championship final clash against Shi Yuqi. Stay tuned for pre-match updates and tidbits.

All set for the big final as Ayush Shetty takes on Shi Yu Qi at 1:00 PM which will be played in Ningbo, China. A historic moment awaits, can the Indian youngster rise to the occasion?

The Ayush Shetty vs Shi Yu Qi, Badminton Asia Championships 2026 men's singles final will be live streamed on Badminton Asia's official Facebook page in India. It will not be telecast on any TV channel in the country.

What a semifinal that was. Ayush Shetty pulled off a stunning comeback against world No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn, showing real composure under pressure. After dropping the first game 10-21, the Indian fought back brilliantly, taking the next two 21-19, 21-17 to seal a memorable win.

He looked down and out early, but once he found his rhythm, there was no stopping him. Point by point, Shetty grew into the match, taking control of the rallies and finishing stronger when it mattered most, earning the tag of 'Giant Killer'.

A bit of a delay here as the men’s final awaits its start. Court 1 is still hosting the women’s singles final, with An Se Young edging ahead against Wang Zhi Yi in the decider.

As we wait for the final to get underway, here’s something to get you hyped, Ayush Shetty pulling off an unbelievable block against World No. 7 Li Shi Feng. Sit back and enjoy this viral moment!

What a statement from An Se-Young. The world No. 1, already an Olympic gold medallist and world champion, now adds the Asian crown to her collection after a thrilling three-game battle against Wang Zhi Yi.

It wasn’t straightforward though, this was a 100-minute showdown between world No. 1 and world No. 2, with momentum swinging both ways before An held her nerve in the decider to win 21-12, 17-21, 21-18.

South Korea's Kim Jae-hyeon and Jang Ha-jeong are the latest Asian mixed doubles champions. Their final opponents, Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran, pulled out after one of the Thai pair suffered an injury during the semi-final win against China's Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping.

The show court is being prepared for the men's singles final, featuring an all-Korean clash between Kim Won-ho/Seo Seung-jae and Kang Min-hyuk/Ki Dong-ju, accompanied by a dance routine set to a medley of Chinese and English hits.

The men's singles final between Ayush Shetty and Shi Yu Qi is moments away from starting. Less than 6 minutes to go.

While the men's doubles title showdown between the two Korean pairs gains steam, let's have a look at how the men's singles finalists have performed in the championships.

• First Round: defeated China's Li Shifeng (21-13, 21-16)

• Second Round: defeated Chinese Taipei's Chi Yu-jen (21-16, 21-12)

• Quarter-Final: defeated Indonesia's Jonatan Christie (23-21, 21-17)

• Semi-Final: defeated Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn (10-21, 21-19, 21-17)

The 20-year-old from Karnataka is chasing his first major title. Last year, he defeated Brian Yang of Canada in the US Open (BWF Super 300) final for his first international title.

Here, in Ningbo, he has already taken down three top-five players (Shi Feng (WR 5); Christie (WR 3); Vitidsarn (WR 1). Shetty is currently ranked 25th.

This is also a super sunday in IPL today. In the afternoon match of the double header, the Rishabh pant-led Lucknow Super Giants host former champions Gujarat Titans with toss at 3:00 PM IST. Later, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru face off in a star-studded clash, featuring greats like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, etc. First ball is scheduled for 7:30 PM IST.

Elsewhere, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will meet at 6:00 PM IST, for the 17th time to decide the Monte Carlo Masters 2026 winner. This marks the first 'on clay' meeting between the tennis's two top dogs this calendar year, and a lot is at stke. The Spaniard is not only looking to defend the title, but also retain the ATP No. 1 crown. Alcaraz leads the head-to-head record 10-6, and in their last clay meeting, at the French Open 2025 final, he beat the Italian. Roland Garros 2026 starts next month.

Also Check: LSG vs GT LIVE Score, IPL 2026

The reigning men's doubles world champions, Kim Won-ho (26) and Seo Seung-jae (28), defeated their younger compatriots Kang Min-hyuk (27) and Ki Dong-ju (25) in straight games 21-13, 21-17. In the second game, Kang-Ki did try to mount a late fightback, and even saved a match point, but the task proved too big a mountain to climb.

Both Ayush and Shi make grand entrances to the arena with young mascots, full of lights displays and being lifted down to the playing field. Time for the action to get underway soon!

A six-decade wait for India to end today? And Ayush Shetty serves.

In 1965, Dinesh Khanna overwhelmed Sangob Rattanusorn of Thailand for the men's singles final (15-3, 15-11). In the semi-final, he defeated compatriot Suresh Goel 15-9, 15-8.

Meanwhile, it's a good opening rally between Ayush and Shi. However, the Indian shuttler hits the net to concede the opening point, and does a repeat of the same to put the Chinese two points ahead.

A few nerves for the young Indian. After conceding four points, he takes a couple, 4-2, very quickly, with some well placed shots. Then, change of serve.

Fresh shuttle, and a brilliant rally with Shetty winning his third, thanks to a wide drop. Makes it two, but the Chinese hits back with some beautifully placed drop shots to take a three-point lead.

A very good chess player and a studious too, Shetty will now need to cut down on mistakes as Shi Yu Qi opens up a big lead in the first game. 5-10. A crash into the nets, and it's 6-10. The Chinese then restores the five-point lead at the interval.

A deceptive smash to the right court, and Shi Yu Qi takes the first point post break, and he continues to pepper with smashes. In the latst play, the Indian shuttler is caught wrong-footed. 13-6.

A lucky net play and change of service, but the order 'will be restored soon'. 14-7

Shi Yu Qi sends his daft push long and a breather for Shetty. 8-16. Meanwhile, a lot of mopping up to do. Blistering play. The Chinese now leads 19-8, decisive.

A smash to the right, and Shi YQ has 12 game points, in 16 minutes. Poor return from Shetty, and Game 1 goes to the local hope. 21-8.

Shetty lost the first of his semi-final 21-10 against world no Kunlavut Vitidsarn, but pulled off 21-19, 21-17.

The Chinese star takes the first point, then sends one long. 1-1. Shetty needs some magic

Shetty now wins back-to-back points for the first time, courtesy some brilliant court coverage. A confident play and it's 4-1, but he sends the next relay wide.

At 4-2, Shetty successfully challenges a line call, to the dismay of Chinese crowd. And a smash, to the left court. He follows it up with a smash, to the body to take a five-point lead. Fantastic stuff from the Indian shuttler.

Shetty misreads a looper return. It lands just inside and service over. After a long-ish rally, the Indian challenges, and this time, it's out. One challenge remaining. 4-7

Shi Yu Qi drops one with a bit of spin, and Shetty lends it long. The Chinese levels the game seven-all after five consecutive points, and the Indian takes a walk.

On the follow-up, Shetty wins a point. But, it's 8-8. Then 10-8 for the Chinese, and in between the Indian also lost his second challenge. At 11-8, it's the mid-game interval.

A lunging dive, yet still misses the shuttle by a few inches. Shi is now riding the Chinese wave. Shetty then leaves, and it falls well inside the baseline. 13-8

The Indian giant killer yet to produce a killer shot or smash. In the latest rally, one of the line judges finds himself unsigted. There's a review, and the Chinese makes it 14-8. The service is over, but the Indian fails to capitalise, trailing 9-16.

Shi turns defence into attack and produces a killer smash to the right. Shetty somehow wins a point, but the battle is as good as over. 10-18. Oh, another smash from the Chinese. It's 10-19

After 40 minutes, it's match point with a deceptive drop to the far court. 20-10, and the current world champion completes the rite with a quick body play. After 41 minutes, the World champion becomes the Asian champion.

So, India's wait for men's singles title continues, while China get their first since 2017, when Chen Long beat Lin Dan 21-13, 21-17.

Today's final loss takes nothing away from Ayush Shetty, who has been absolutely stunning in reaching the final. The young Indian shuttler has taken down several big names en route to the final, including world No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand. However, the battle against Shi Yu Qi proved too much of a hill to climb for him, but it is a massive learning moment for the 20-year-old rising star from Karnataka.

• Men's Singles: Shi Yu Qi (China) beat Ayush Shetty (India) 21-8, 21-10

• Women's Singles: Se Young An (South Korea) beat Zhi Yi Wang (China) 21-12, 17-21, 21-18

• Men's Doubles: Won Ho Kim/Seung Jae Seo (South Korea) beat Min Hyuk Kang/Dong Ju Ki (South Korea) 21-13, 21-17

• Women's Doubles: Yi Jing Li/Xu Min Luo (China) beat Sheng Shu Liu/Ning Tan (China) - retired