Ayush Shetty, a 20-year-old badminton player from India, is making waves in the international badminton scene. Standing tall at 6'4" (195 cm), he recently clinched his first BWF World Tour title at the US Open 2025, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.
Born on May 3, 2005, in Sanoor near Karkala, Karnataka, Ayush's journey in badminton began at the age of eight, inspired by his father who played the sport recreationally. Recognizing his son's potential, Ayush's father became his initial coach, training him in their backyard. At the age of 12, his family relocated to Bengaluru to provide him with access to better training facilities. He trained under local coaches Subhash and Chetan in Karkala and Mangalore. While in Bengaluru, Ayush joined the Prakash Padukone Academy, which has been instrumental in honing his skills. Despite his dedication to badminton, Ayush is also pursuing a BSc in Sports Science at Reva University in Bengaluru.
Shetty's breakthrough came in 2023 when he secured a bronze medal at the BWF World Junior Championships in Spokane, USA, becoming only the sixth Indian male singles player to achieve this feat. He defeated Japan's Yudai Okimoto in the quarter-finals before losing to Indonesia's Alwi Farhan in the semi-finals. As of June 2025, Shetty is ranked world No. 31 in men's singles, the second-highest-ranked Indian after Lakshya Sen.
The US Open 2025 witnessed Ayush Shetty's commanding performance, culminating in his maiden BWF World Tour title. He defeated Canada's Brian Yang in the final with a score of 21-18, 21-13 in just 47 minutes. En route to the title, Shetty displayed remarkable skill and determination, including a stunning semi-final victory over top seed Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei. He also defeated former junior world champion Kuo Kuan-lin of Chinese Taipei in the quarter-finals. In the final, Yang, known for his powerful jump smashes, couldn't withstand Shetty's clever play, strong defense, and smart shot choices.
Shetty's playing style has drawn comparisons to Danish Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen, owing to his tall frame, aggressive approach, and control on the court. Known for his power-hitting and court coverage, Shetty has been diligently working to improve his defense, which has shown noticeable progress.
Ayush's recent victory at the US Open 2025 has ended India's title drought on the BWF World Tour. This win is a testament to his hard work and the growing prominence of Indian badminton on the global stage. Along with Ayush Shetty, Tanvi Sharma also made India proud by finishing as runner-up in the women's singles category.
With his impressive height, powerful smashes, and strategic gameplay, Ayush Shetty is considered a promising prospect for Indian badminton. As he continues to hone his skills and gain experience, he is expected to be a key figure in India's badminton landscape and a contender for major international titles.
