Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty's brilliant run at the Badminton Asia Championships came to an end after a defeat in the final. The 20-year-old lost in straight sets to world No. 2 Shi Yuqi.

On Sunday in Ningbo, Shetty had a shot at history to win the gold and become the first Indian to achieve this feat. He fell short of completing the fairytale, and according to Sagar Chopda, head coach at the Centre for Badminton Excellence, the youngster's impatience cost him.

“He probably needed to be a little more patient. At times, he went for outright winners a bit too early, and many of those shots either went out or ended up in Shi’s hitting zone,” Sagar Chopda told PTI. “Shi didn’t give him many opportunities, and at this level you have to make the most of whatever chances you get.”

Still only 20, Ayush has a long way to go in the sport. He has already reached a stage where not a lot of Indian shuttlers have got to, and Chopda is confident in his player's ability to get to the very top of the game.

“I believe Ayush has the potential to be a top-five player in the world. We’ve always believed he can become a true champion,” he said. “We just need to be patient, but he definitely has the potential to reach that level.”

Shetty's run to the final was still a historic moment for Indian badminton. The unseeded kid beat top players like Li Shi Feng, Jonatan Christie, and Kunlavut Vitidsarn to win India's first-ever men's singles silver at the continental meet.

Sagar Chopda Reflects upon Fitness, Belief, and Areas to Improve

Chopda revealed that a back injury earlier this season had disrupted Shetty’s preparation, forcing him into rehabilitation for nearly a month. That lack of match readiness affected his early outings.

He highlighted that Shetty’s biggest positive this week was his belief and improved physical condition. The youngster looked fitter, stronger, and more confident in long rallies, which proved crucial in his deep run.

However, endurance remains a work in progress. Chopda also pointed out that Shetty needs to develop better variation in his game, including softer drops, controlled half-smashes, and smarter shot selection to succeed consistently at the top level.

Shetty has begun working with Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, while comparisons with Viktor Axelsen continue due to his height and playing style.

With major events like the World Championships and Asian Games ahead, the focus remains on building consistency and turning potential into titles.

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Written by

Chitrak Mukherjee

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi