BWF World Championships 2026 Draw: Ayush Handed Defending Champion Shi Yuqi; PV Sindhu Gets Favourable Opener
Unseeded Ayush Shetty faces world No. 1 Shi Yuqi in round one, while PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen also drew difficult openers.
- On Wednesday, the BWF World Championships 2026 draw in New Delhi pitted Asian Championships silver medallist Ayush Shetty against defending champion and top seed Shi Yuqi in the men's singles opening round.
- New Delhi hosts the August 17-23 tournament at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, marking the event's return to India after 17 years, with organizers confirming preparations are on track.
- Former world champion PV Sindhu begins against Sophia Noble of Ireland, while Lakshya Sen faces Collins Valentine Filimon of Austria with a potential pre-quarterfinal clash against second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
- Fifth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty received a first-round bye, while chief national coach Pullela Gopichand described the men's singles field as "among the most open in recent years."
- Chief coach Gopichand believes Ayush's attacking game makes facing Shi early preferable to later tournament rounds, positioning the unseeded Indian for a potential podium finish.
12 Articles
12 Articles
BWF Worlds: Sindhu gets dream start, Ayush faces defending champ
Top Indian shuttlers have received a mixed draw for the BWF World Championships in New Delhi, with PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen getting relatively favourable starts, while Asian Championships silver medallist Ayush Shetty faces a formidable opening round against defending champion Shi Yu Qi of China.
BWF World Championships' draws revealed, Ayush Shetty faces stern test, Sindhu, Lakshya's opponents confirmed
Ayush Shetty will face world champion Shi Yuqi in the first round of the BWF World Championships 2026. PV Sindhu will have a comparatively easier draw to cruise through as she looks to add to her Japan Open title.
BWF World C'ships draw: Ayush Shetty gets blockbuster start vs top-ranked Shi Yuqi; PV Sindhu in same half as An Se Young
Ayush Shetty will get the chance to improve his win-loss record against top-ranked Chinese shuttler Shi Yuqi in the first round of the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi that begin on August 17. PV Sindhu, chasing her sixth medal, could face top seed and nemesis An Se Young only in the semi-final.
New Delhi eyes badminton redemption, with no poop
After bird droppings, stray animals and air-quality concerns overshadowed badminton’s India Open in New Delhi earlier this year, organizers of the flagship World Championships on Tuesday said the city was ready to deliver a smoother spectacle. The Aug. 17 to 23 tournament is to be held at the Indira
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