Ayush Shetty Clinches US Open 2025: India’s Towering Badminton Star Signals a New Era

Ayush Shetty, the 6’4” rising star of Indian badminton, has clinched his first senior title at the US Open Super 300 tournament, marking a significant milestone in his promising young career. The 20-year-old defeated Canada’s Brian Yang in the final, capping off a breakthrough run that included a stunning semi-final victory over World No. 6 Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei. With this title, Shetty has become the first Indian shuttler to win a senior tour title in 2025, igniting fresh hopes for the future of Indian badminton.

Shetty’s semi-final against top-seed Chou Tien Chen showcased his resilience, agility, and never-say-die spirit. A highlight of the match was a breathtaking 39-shot rally that encapsulated the grit and composure he brings to the court. In one particularly sensational moment, Ayush dived backwards from the front court to retrieve a near-impossible return and eventually won the point—drawing applause from fans and pundits alike.

Speaking after the win, Shetty said, “It means a lot—it’s my first title on the senior circuit, so I’m really happy. There are a lot of positives to take away. I played some excellent badminton here, and I’m looking forward to the Canada Open next week.”

Born in Mangalore, Shetty began playing badminton at the age of eight, inspired by watching his father play casually in their backyard. He initially trained under local coaches Subhash and Chetan in Karkala and Mangalore. Recognizing his potential, his family moved to Bengaluru when he was 12 to help him pursue higher-level training and competition. Since then, Ayush has been honing his skills at the prestigious Prakash Padukone Academy, which has produced several top Indian badminton players.

Despite his towering height—which has drawn comparisons to Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen—Shetty has developed an all-round game that goes far beyond his powerful jump smashes. His recent matches have highlighted noticeable improvements in front-court agility, net play, and defensive transitions. Social media has been abuzz with clips of his performances, praising both his physical presence and technical finesse.

Before his US Open triumph, Ayush had been making steady progress through the ranks in 2025. He reached the semi-finals of the Orleans Masters Super 300, defeating big names like Loh Kean Yew and Rasmus Gemke. In May, he took down veteran Kidambi Srikanth en route to the semi-finals of the Taipei Open—further proving he’s ready to compete with the best.

His breakthrough moment on the international stage came in 2023, when he secured a bronze medal at the BWF World Junior Championships in Spokane, USA. He became only the sixth Indian male singles player to win a medal at the prestigious junior event. That same year, he was also ranked No. 1 in India’s junior singles, setting the stage for his transition to the senior circuit.

Shetty is currently pursuing a BSc in Sports Science at Reva University in Bengaluru, managing to balance academics with a demanding international badminton career. His academic focus on sports science is expected to complement his training and performance on court.

As of June 2025, Ayush Shetty is ranked World No. 31 in men’s singles, making him the second-highest ranked Indian after Lakshya Sen. With youth, skill, and determination on his side, many in the badminton world believe he could soon break into the top 20 and represent India at major international events, including the Olympics.

His US Open title win has not only established him as a rising star on the global circuit but also rekindled excitement in Indian badminton fans, who have been searching for the next big singles prospect. With consistent performances and a strong support system, Ayush Shetty seems poised to take Indian badminton to new heights in the years to come.

IT.