Ayush Shetty Upsets Shi Yuqi at 2026 BWF World Championships

In a surprising turn of events at the 2026 BWF World Championships, India's Ayush Shetty triumphed over China's top seed Shi Yuqi in a gripping three-game match. The contest, held in New Delhi, showcased Shetty's resilience as he won 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 after more than an hour of intense play, marking his first victory against Shi in four encounters.

Shetty started strong, taking the first game convincingly. However, Shi, demonstrating his champion's spirit, bounced back to win the second game, setting the stage for a nail-biting finale. In the deciding game, Shetty surged ahead with a significant lead, but Shi mounted a fierce comeback, closing the gap to just one point before Shetty finally clinched the match.

Shi's defeat was part of a challenging day for the Chinese men's singles contingent, as 16th seed Weng Hongyang also exited the tournament in the first round. In contrast, Li Shifeng, the eighth seed, managed to secure a win, advancing to the next round and avoiding further setbacks for China.

Other notable players, including Denmark's Anders Antonsen and Japan's Kodai Naraoka, also progressed in their respective matches, while Malaysia celebrated a successful start in men's doubles with Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Yap Roy King winning decisively against their Vietnamese opponents. This victory marked a promising beginning for Malaysia's campaign in the tournament, with multiple pairs advancing to the next round.