Ayush Shetty's incredible run at the $550,000 Badminton Asia Championships came to an end as he lost to reigning world champion Shi Yu Qi in the men's singles final.
The 20-year-old Indian shuttler had beaten four world-class opponents, including three of the world's top seven, to reach the final and challenge for an elusive gold that has come India's way only twice in the 64-year-old history of the tournament.
Shi Yu Qi proved too formidable an opponent for Shetty, winning 8-21, 10-21 in 42 minutes to claim the title.
This was a rare bright spark for India in the annual tournament, with Dinesh Khanna winning the men's singles gold in 1965 and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty clinching the men's doubles gold in 2023.
Shetty was gracious in defeat, saying he was 'really grateful for the final' and that it was a 'fantastic week' for him.
Shi Yu Qi, backed by a vociferous crowd, controlled the proceedings from the start, choosing the right moments to hammer in explosive smashes that earned him easy points.
The contest clearly showed the difference that experience, control and tactical discipline can make at the highest level.
