In what can only be described as a coming-of-age moment, Ayush Shetty, one of India’s most promising young badminton talents, pulled off the upset of the tournament at the Hong Kong Open Super 500 on Thursday. The 20-year-old from Karnataka stunned 2023 World Championships silver medallist Kodai Naraoka of Japan in a tense three-game battle to march into the men’s singles quarterfinals.
Facing a former World No. 2 on one of the sport’s bigger stages, Ayush showed absolutely no signs of being overawed. Instead, he played with the swagger of a seasoned campaigner, outlasting the Japanese star 21-19, 12-21, 21-14 in a gritty 72-minute thriller.
🚨 UPSET ALERT 🚨
— 🇮🇳 Thomas Cup 22 🏆 (@Anmolkakkar27) September 11, 2025
Ayush Shetty defeated WR 9 Kodai Naraoka 🇯🇵 21-19, 12-21, 21-14 to reach the QF of Hong Kong Open
What a win Ayush 💥🔥🔥🔥
QF vs Sen pic.twitter.com/WURPDxmMD9
From Rising Star to Giant-Killer
Ayush Shetty has been making quiet waves on the international circuit, but this win firmly puts him on the global radar. His aggressive court coverage, tactical sharpness, and relentless energy stood out throughout the match. While Naraoka managed to pull one game back and momentarily shift the momentum, Ayush’s ability to regroup in the decider was nothing short of remarkable.
This isn’t the first time Ayush has made headlines in 2024. In June, he won the US Open Super 300 title, showcasing his potential against a competitive international field. But Thursday’s victory over Naraoka – a decorated, consistent top-tier player is easily the biggest feather in his cap so far.
A Familiar Face Awaits in the Quarterfinals
Adding another layer of intrigue to this dream run is Ayush’s next opponent: Lakshya Sen, his compatriot and fellow trainee at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy. The two have trained side by side, sparred countless times, and now find themselves facing off in a high-stakes quarterfinal at one of Asia’s most prestigious badminton tournaments.
It’s a clash not just of talent, but of familiarity – a match that will test mental resilience as much as technical skill. For Indian badminton fans, it’s a win-win scenario, with one assured spot in the semifinals and a chance to see two of India’s brightest young men’s singles players go toe-to-toe.
The Bigger Picture
Ayush’s rise is a welcome storyline in Indian badminton, especially as the country looks to build depth beyond the established stars. His performances this season suggest he’s ready to compete and win at the highest level.
The Hong Kong Open could be the breakthrough tournament Ayush Shetty has been working toward. Whether he continues his fairy tale run or not, one thing is clear: India’s badminton future looks brighter with players like him stepping confidently onto the big stage.
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