Ayush Shetty Shares Personal Significance of Competing in BWF World Championships in India

Indian badminton athletes Ayush Shetty and Unnati Hooda are brimming with enthusiasm as they prepare to compete in the upcoming BWF World Championships 2026, which will take place on home turf. Scheduled from August 17 to 23 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Arena in New Delhi, this prestigious tournament marks a significant milestone for Indian badminton.

In a highly anticipated first-round match, Ayush Shetty, who recently earned a silver medal at the Asian Championships, will face off against Shi Yuqi of China, the defending champion and top seed. Shetty expressed his excitement about the event, emphasizing its importance on a global scale. "The World Championship is a really big tournament for everyone, even for the world's best players. It's a huge stage, and it's happening in India, so I think it's more special for me," he stated during a press conference.

Unnati Hooda, on the other hand, is set to make her debut at the World Championships, adding a personal touch to the event. The young player shared her eagerness to compete in front of a home crowd, saying, "It's my first World Championship, and it's happening in India, so I'm really excited and looking forward to it. I'm taking it one match at a time."

The BWF World Championships returning to India is a significant occasion, especially considering the country's recent achievements in badminton. The last time India hosted this event was in 2009 in Hyderabad. Since then, Indian players have made remarkable progress, with multiple Olympic medals and PV Sindhu becoming the first Indian to win a world championship title in 2019.

As the tournament approaches, all eyes are on PV Sindhu, who recently claimed victory at the Japan Open. She is expected to navigate a challenging path, potentially facing China's Wang Zhi Yi in the pre-quarterfinals. Meanwhile, in men's doubles, Satwik and Chirag are preparing for a tough match against the 12th-seeded Indonesian duo of Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin.

In mixed doubles, the Indian pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto will begin their campaign with a bye, anticipating a challenging round of 16 match against the sixth-seeded Chinese team. Other Indian pairs, including Rohan Kapoor and G Ruthvika Shivani, as well as Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly in women's doubles, are also gearing up for their respective matches, aiming to capitalize on the home advantage.