Ayush Shetty delivered a landmark performance to reach the men’s singles final of the Badminton Asia Championships 2026, defeating world No. 1 and defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn in a three-game semifinal on Saturday.
The world No. 25 from India registered a comeback victory of 10-21, 21-19, 21-17 against the Thai star, who is also a Paris Olympics silver medallist and former world champion.
With the result, Shetty has secured at least a silver medal and become only the second Indian to reach a men’s singles final at the Badminton Asia Championships.
Before Shetty, India had reached the summit clash just twice in the tournament’s history: Dinesh Khanna, who won the men’s singles gold in 1965, and the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who clinched the title in 2023.
Shetty had entered the semifinal without dropping a game but faced a difficult start against Vitidsarn, who dominated the opening game with sharp attacking play and controlled rallies. The Indian struggled to match the pace early on, conceding the first game.
The momentum shifted in the second game as Shetty improved his defensive coverage and reduced unforced errors. He built an early lead and, despite a late challenge from Vitidsarn, managed to close out the game to force a decider.
In the final game, Shetty maintained pressure, gradually extending his advantage. He controlled the rallies in the latter stages and held his nerve to complete the win.
The victory marks a significant milestone for Indian badminton, with Shetty now in contention for the title.
He will face either China’s Shi Yu Qi or Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen in the final.
Score: 10-21, 21-19, 21-17
