Beyond junior glory | Ayush Shetty @ 2026 BWF World Championships
From backyard dreams to the world stage, Ayush Shetty has had a remarkable rise in badminton
For Ayush Shetty, his badminton journey didn’t begin in a training academy but in his backyard in Sanoor, Karnataka. At the age of eight, he was introduced to the sport by his father. “As I gained interest and started to enjoy the game, my family decided to move to Bengaluru so that I could get better training,” says Ayush.
For Ayush Shetty, his badminton journey didn’t begin in a training academy but in his backyard in Sanoor, Karnataka. At the age of eight, he was introduced to the sport by his father. “As I gained interest and started to enjoy the game, my family decided to move to Bengaluru so that I could get better training,” says Ayush.
For Ayush Shetty, his badminton journey didn’t begin in a training academy but in his backyard in Sanoor, Karnataka. At the age of eight, he was introduced to the sport by his father. “As I gained interest and started to enjoy the game, my family decided to move to Bengaluru so that I could get better training,” says Ayush.
It was the family sacrifice that transformed a young dreamer into one of India’s brightest badminton stars. Ayush made his mark on the international stage by winning a bronze at the 2023 BWF World Junior Championships. His rise to the senior circuit has been equally remarkable. In 2025, the 21-year-old won his maiden BWF World Tour title at the US Open Super 300 and became the first Indian men’s singles player since 1965 to reach the Badminton Asia Championships final. He had displayed a rigorous training mindset.
Shetty is now spending longer hours on the court and focuses on improving his defence, physical strength and staying patient during longer rallies. The 2026 BWF World Championships (Aug. 17-23) will mark another milestone in his career—and his debut at badminton’s biggest stage. India hosting the tournament after 17 years makes the occasion even more special. “Like every young badminton player, I’ve dreamed of one day competing on that stage,” he says.
