Ayush Shetty Faces World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi in Badminton World Championships

Ayush Shetty is preparing for a challenging first match at the Badminton World Championships against Shi Yu Qi, the top-ranked player from China. His coach, Sagar Chopda, believes that the difficult matchup could work in Shetty's favor, especially with the support of the home crowd and Shi's recent performance issues.

Shetty, who is 21 years old, previously finished as the runner-up at the Badminton Asia Championships earlier this year, losing to Shi in straight games. Chopda noted that Shetty has been improving consistently and is approaching this match without pressure, which could be advantageous.

Chopda emphasized that Shetty's recent training, including work with a sports psychologist, has prepared him well for high-stakes matches. He encouraged Shetty to trust his fitness and play aggressively, aiming for a medal at the World Championships as a significant goal.