Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty prepares for the BWF World Championships.
BENGALURU: August 12, 2024
Ayush Shetty Prepares for Ultimate Challenge Against World No. 1 Shi Yuqi at BWF World Championships
Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty, after a commendable runner-up finish at the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) in April, has faced a challenging period marked by inconsistent performances. A minor elbow injury sustained in June has compounded his struggles, leading to three first-round exits and two second-round defeats over the past three months.
As the BWF World Championships approach, the road ahead appears set to become even more demanding for the Mangaluru-born athlete. Shetty, currently ranked World No. 23, is slated to face the formidable World No. 1, Shi Yuqi of China, in the opening round of the prestigious tournament.
Last week, an intrigued Ayush Shetty closely followed the live draw for the World Championships. His reaction, or rather the lack thereof, when his first-round opponent was revealed to be Shi Yuqi, was perhaps an understandable response given the monumental challenge that awaits him.
A Formidable Opponent
Shi Yuqi, a reigning champion contender, holds a perfect record against Shetty, having beaten him in all three of their previous encounters. Across these three matches, Shetty has managed to secure only one game from the Chinese maestro. Despite this daunting head-to-head record, the 21-year-old Indian believes these prior defeats have furnished him with invaluable insights and lessons.
âI will be more prepared and need to be tactically better this time,â Ayush Shetty stated during a media interaction on Monday.
Shetty emphasized that his approach to this encounter is devoid of any emotional baggage stemming from past losses. “Thereâs no revenge kind of an emotion when I play [against Shi]. But itâs a new tournament and a new match. Itâll be a tough battle, and you really have to work hard against him,â he added, highlighting his focus on the present challenge.
Embracing the Home Crowd Pressure
Standing at a towering 6-foot-4-inches, Ayush Shetty is not only preparing for a tactical battle on court but also for the unique atmosphere of playing on home soil. While a home crowd can often bring added pressure, the World No. 23 shuttler expressed his readiness to embrace it.
âThere is pressure. But itâs more of excitement, you know, playing at home,â Shetty remarked, signaling his enthusiasm for the upcoming competition.
The match against Shi Yuqi will undoubtedly be a stern test of Shetty’s current form, resilience, and tactical acumen. It presents an opportunity for the young Indian shuttler to gauge his progress against the sport’s elite and potentially turn the tide against a player who has historically proven to be his nemesis. Badminton enthusiasts will be keenly watching to see if Ayush Shetty can translate his lessons learned into a performance that can challenge the world’s best.
