At just 20, Ayush Shetty is making India proud on the world badminton stage. The tall and talented player from Mangalore won his first senior title at the US Open 2025, a Super 300 tournament. He is now seen as one of India’s most exciting badminton stars.
Ayush started playing at age eight, inspired by watching his father play in their backyard. He got his first training in Karkala and Mangalore with local coaches Subhash and Chetan. His family later moved to Bengaluru to help him get better training. That’s where his journey took a big turn.
In 2023, he made headlines by winning a bronze medal at the BWF World Junior Championships in Spokane, USA. He became the sixth Indian male singles player ever to win a medal in this global event. Source: Scroll.in
His win at the US Open 2025 showed how much he has improved. In the semi-final, he pulled off an amazing 39-shot rally to defeat Chou Tien Chen, a top player and sixth seed. Ayush showed his strong defense, smart front-court skills, and power-packed jump smashes.
Semifinals action sees Chou Tien Chen and Ayush Shetty go the distance.#BWFWorldTour #USOpen2025 pic.twitter.com/3OLaBbv5dp
— BWF (@bwfmedia) June 29, 2025
In the final, Ayush didn’t back down. His powerful game and never-give-up spirit helped him win the title. Fans loved the moment when he dived to save a point that looked impossible, showing true fighting spirit.
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Before this, Ayush also reached the semi-finals at the Orleans Masters and the Taipei Open, beating tough players like Loh Kean Yew, Rasmus Gemke, and Kidambi Srikanth. These wins helped him rise fast in the world rankings.
As of June 2025, Ayush Shetty is ranked 31st in the world, just behind Lakshya Sen, making him the second-highest ranked Indian men’s singles player. Many experts believe he has the talent to be among the best in the world.
Ayush trains at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru. His coaches say he has worked hard to improve his defense and fitness. He is also studying Sports Science at Reva University but spends most of his time on the court.
With his height of 6 feet 4 inches, strong smashes, and never-quit attitude, Ayush Shetty is the new face of Indian badminton. His rise is not just a win for him, but a big hope for Indian fans who dream of seeing another world champion.
