Indian badminton witnessed a stunning upset at the BWF World Championships 2026 in New Delhi as 21-year-old Ayush Shetty defeated world No. 1 and defending champion Shi Yu Qi of China in the men’s singles opening round.
Making his World Championships debut, Shetty produced a composed performance to beat the top seed 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in a thrilling 73-minute contest at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. The victory marked Shetty’s first win over Shi after three previous defeats.
Shetty Takes Control Early
Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, Shetty started aggressively and immediately put pressure on the defending champion. His attacking play, particularly around the net, helped him take the opening game 21-14.
Shi, however, responded strongly in the second game. The Chinese star increased the pace and forced Shetty into errors, taking the game 21-13 to level the match and set up a tense decider.
Indian Shuttler Holds His Nerve
Shetty made a powerful start to the deciding game, establishing an 11-5 advantage. Shi then launched a determined comeback and put the Indian under considerable pressure towards the finish.
With the score at 20-19, Shetty remained composed and produced a decisive flick winner to seal the biggest victory of his young career. The home crowd erupted as the Indian shuttler celebrated his historic triumph.
Revenge After Asian Championships Final
The victory also provided Shetty with redemption after his defeat to Shi in the Badminton Asia Championships final in April. On that occasion, Shi had beaten him comfortably in straight games.
Coming into the World Championships, Shetty had therefore lost all three of his previous meetings with the Chinese star. His latest performance dramatically changed that record and demonstrated his ability to compete against the world’s best.
Historic Exit for Defending Champion
Shi’s defeat was particularly significant because he became the first defending men’s singles world champion to exit the BWF World Championships in the opening round.
For Shetty, meanwhile, the victory represents a major breakthrough on the biggest stage. The 21-year-old will now look to carry the momentum into the next round as he continues his campaign on home soil.
India Makes Strong Start
Shetty’s victory was part of a perfect opening day for the Indian contingent. India won all five matches involving its players on the opening day of the championships.
Former world champion PV Sindhu also advanced after defeating Ireland’s Sophia Noble 21-7, 21-11, while Indian doubles pairs recorded victories across the men’s and women’s draws.
The BWF World Championships are being held in New Delhi from August 17 to 23, with India’s strong opening adding to the excitement surrounding the tournament. For Ayush Shetty, however, the focus will now shift from celebrating one of the tournament’s biggest upsets to preparing for the challenge that awaits in the next round.
