Asia C'ships: Ayush downs World No. 4 Christie; India’s first medal secured

NEW DELHI: Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty continued his awesome tally astatine the Badminton Asia Championships, reaching the semi-finals aft a stunning triumph implicit satellite No. 4 Jonatan Christie successful Ningbo.

Ayush won 23-21, 21-17 successful a intimately fought match, marking his first-ever triumph implicit the Indonesian prima and securing a medal for India.This accomplishment is important arsenic Ayush became the archetypal Indian men’s singles subordinate since HS Prannoy successful 2018 to triumph a medal astatine the continental event.

It besides guarantees India’s archetypal medal astatine the championships since the men’s doubles golden won by Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy successful 2023.The lucifer was a tense conflict from commencement to finish. In the opening game, some players were evenly matched, with Christie holding a constrictive pb astatine 1 signifier and adjacent earning a crippled point. However, Ayush showed large composure nether pressure, warring backmost to unit a tie-break and yet clinching the game.The 2nd crippled followed a akin pattern, with Ayush taking a flimsy pb into the interruption and past tightening his grip arsenic the crippled progressed.

His quality to enactment calm and execute cardinal points helped him adjacent retired the lucifer and unafraid a memorable victory.Ayush’s travel successful the tourney has been remarkable. He earlier stunned satellite No. 7 Li Shi Feng successful the opening circular and past defeated Chi Yu Jen to scope the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, helium volition look either Kunlavut Vitidsarn oregon Weng Hongyang.While Ayush has been the standout performer, India’s run besides saw setbacks, with PV Sindhu exiting successful the 2nd circular and Lakshya Sen going retired successful the opening round.