In a thrilling semifinal match at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, Ayush Shetty from India triumphed over Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the World No 1 player from Thailand, with scores of 10-21, 21-19, 21-17. Shetty displayed remarkable skill, particularly with his powerful smashes, which proved decisive against the experienced Vitidsarn, a former World Champion known for his control and footwork. After losing the first set, Shetty rallied in the second, overcoming a 7-point lead by Vitidsarn to secure the set. In the final set, Shetty maintained his offensive strategy, leading to a strong finish that captivated the crowd. With this victory, Shetty has positioned himself for a chance to become the first Indian singles champion at the Asia Championships, following in the footsteps of Dinesh Khanna, India's only previous singles champion in this tournament. Shetty's impressive performance throughout the tournament includes victories over notable players such as World No 4 Jonatan Christie and World No 7 Li Shifeng.