Indian badminton has going through a change, we are witnessing more young talents coming up, dominating at the world stage. Among the names, athletes like Ayush Shetty already started to shine. At just 19 years old, Ayush has already made headlines by reaching the semifinals of the Hylo Open 2024. His journey from playing in his backyard to becoming a global athlete has been inspiring. Let’s take a look at his life and updates.
Early life
Ayush was born and raised in Sanoor, near Karkala in Karnataka. He started playing badminton at the age of 8 after watching his father. This sparked his passion for the sport, and he quickly became a top player locally. However, the lack of facilities in his hometown made it hard for him, so his family had to travel to Karkala and Mangalore for better training.
Recognising the need for more opportunities, Ayush’s father decided to move the family to Bengaluru when Ayush was 12. Although the change was difficult, it allowed Ayush to compete in state and national tournaments, which helped shape his career.
Struggles during COVID
Even though Ayush showed promise early on, he faced challenges. Moving to Bengaluru meant balancing training with school, which took a backseat as he focused on badminton. After the COVID-19 pandemic, he struggled to compete with limited training opportunities and back-to-back tournaments.
The intense competition and physical demands of the sport were tough. Ayush had to adapt quickly as he moved from junior to senior levels. Despite these challenges, his love for the game kept him motivated.
Achievements from the junior level
Ayush’s hard work paid off when he won a bronze medal at the BWF World Junior Championships 2023 in Spokane, USA. In a memorable quarter-final match, he defeated Japan’s Yudai Okimoto. Although he lost in the semi-finals to Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan, his bronze medal marked a key milestone in his career, making him the highest-ranked men’s singles junior player in India.
Future prospects and updates
As Ayush moves from junior to senior competitions, he knows the challenges ahead. He realises that the senior level requires a different physical and strategic approach. As he continues to gain momentum, he is eager to take part in more upcoming BWF tournaments. His primary goal is to establish his name in the senior squad while eyeing qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Ayush is set for a bright future in badminton, and fans are excited to see what he does next.
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