Ayush Shetty Upsets World No.1 Shi Yu Qi as India Sweeps Day One at BWF Worlds

Ayush Shetty delivered the tournament’s biggest upset on the opening day of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Championships in New Delhi, defeating defending champion and world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi in a tightly contested match. The 22‑year‑old Indian rallied from a set down to clinch the decider, marking the most significant win of his career and sending shockwaves through the badminton community.

Shetty’s triumph was the headline act of a day that saw India dominate every event on the court. In the women’s singles, PV Sindhu comfortably dispatched her opponent in straight games, reinforcing her status as a medal favourite. The men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, the mixed doubles duo of Ashwini Ponnappa and Rohan Parker, and the women’s doubles team of Ashwini Ponnappa and N. Sikki Reddy each secured straight‑set victories, completing a flawless 5‑0 start for the host nation.

The win over Shi Yu Qi was particularly notable because the Chinese star entered the tournament as the top seed and reigning champion, having won the title in the previous edition. Shetty’s aggressive play and resilience in the third game turned the tide, earning him a 2‑1 match score and a place in the round of 16. His performance has drawn praise from senior Indian players and coaches, who see his breakthrough as a sign of depth in the country’s badminton talent pool.

India’s clean sweep on day one has set a high bar for the rest of the championships, with expectations rising for further podium finishes across all categories. The home crowd’s enthusiastic support in New Delhi has added momentum to the Indian contingent, which now looks to translate early success into medal glory.

Original reporting: Times of India (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/badminton/bwf-world-championships-ayush-shetty-stuns-world-no-1-shi-yu-qi-india-5-0-on-day-1/articleshow/133301177.cms).