World champion Shi Yu Qi ended Ayush Shetty’s brilliant run at the Badminton Asia Championships with a straight game 21-8, 21-10 victory in Ningbo, China on Sunday.Sunday’s result notwithstanding, Ayush will cherish the memorable week.
The 20-year-old beat some of the best in the world to win the only silver for India at the continental championships.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Dinesh Khanna had won the men’s singles gold in 1965, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty had clinched the men’s doubles gold in 2023 while several Indians had won bronze medals at this championship. A day after knocking out world No. 1 and defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Ayush was off-colour against the world No. 2.Summing up the final, his coach Vimal Kumar said, “Ayush came up against a top-quality opponent and the match clearly showed the difference that experience, control and tactical discipline can make at the highest level.
Shi controlled the tempo brilliantly, denying Ayush the rhythm he usually thrives on.”Nevertheless, Vimal said Ayush had a significant week. “Matches like these are invaluable. They expose exactly what is required to compete consistently with the very best in the world. The gaps are clear: better shot variation, improved rally construction, tighter control under pressure and smarter point building,” said Vimal.World No. 1 An Se Young of South Korea defeated Wang Zhi Yi of China 21-12, 17-21, 21-18 for the women’s singles title.
