US Open 2025: Ayush Shetty Wins First BWF World Tour Title, Teenager Tanvi Sharma Finishes as Runner-Up

The US Open 2025 turned into a celebration for Indian badminton, as two young talents—Ayush Shetty and Tanvi Sharma—stole the spotlight with their exceptional performances. While Ayush Shetty stunned everyone by winning his maiden BWF World Tour title, the 16-year-old Tanvi Sharma impressed the world by finishing as runner-up in the women’s singles category.

This double delight not only ended India’s title drought at the prestigious event but also gave fans a fresh wave of hope for the future of Indian badminton.

Let’s take a deep dive into how these rising stars created magic at the US Open 2025.

Ayush Shetty Wins Maiden BWF World Tour Title at US Open

Ayush Shetty’s victory in the men’s singles category is a moment to remember. The young shuttler displayed maturity beyond his years, defeating some top-seeded players on his way to the final. But it was in the final clash that Ayush truly made history.

Ayush Shetty Stuns Yang in the Finals

In a highly anticipated final match, Ayush Shetty faced Chinese Taipei’s Yang Su Li, who was considered the favourite to win. But Shetty had other plans. Playing with calmness, confidence, and killer instincts, Ayush dominated the match with a straight-set victory, 21-18, 21-16.

His strategic smashes, net control, and court coverage made all the difference. From the start, Shetty looked focused and fearless, using every opportunity to push Yang to the edge.

Who is Ayush Shetty? A New Name in Indian Badminton

Ayush Shetty, just 20 years old, hails from Karnataka and has been gradually climbing up the badminton ranks. A product of the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy, Shetty has been training under top coaches and playing at junior and senior levels for the last few years.

While he had shown promise earlier, this win at the US Open proves that he is now ready to take on the big stage regularly.

Ayush Shetty’s Victory Is Bigger Than It Looks

Most media reports will focus on the win, but here’s a unique perspective: Shetty’s win is not just about the title—it’s about ending India’s dry run in men’s singles on the global stage. In recent times, Indian men’s singles badminton has lacked consistency after the era of Srikanth and Prannoy.

This win brings a fresh face to India’s international hopes, especially as Paris Olympics 2028 looms in the distance. With age on his side and international exposure now building up, Ayush could very well be India’s next poster boy in men’s badminton.

Tanvi Sharma Finishes Runner-Up: A Star Is Born

While Shetty was lifting the trophy on one side, Tanvi Sharma, only 16 years old, was creating ripples on the other side of the draw. Competing in the women’s singles, the teenage prodigy stormed into the finals, defeating higher-ranked and much more experienced players.

Although she ended as runner-up, her run was nothing short of phenomenal.

Tanvi’s Journey to the Finals Was Full of Fire

In the quarterfinals and semifinals, Tanvi defeated top-30 ranked players with her fearless play. Her energy, movement, and shot selection impressed not just fans but also former players watching from the stands.

In the final, she faced Japan’s Minami Hanayama, a senior and much more experienced player. Tanvi fought hard but lost in three tight sets: 19-21, 21-18, 17-21. Despite the defeat, the crowd gave her a standing ovation for her never-give-up attitude.

Who is Tanvi Sharma? Meet India’s 16-Year-Old Sensation

Born in Punjab, Tanvi Sharma is currently India’s top-ranked U-19 player and trains at the Gopichand Academy. Known for her fighting spirit and speed, she has already won multiple junior titles in Asia.

The US Open 2025 is her first major final at the senior BWF World Tour level, and reaching the final at such a young age is proof of her immense talent and mental toughness.

US Open: Sharma, Shetty Create Sensation Together

For Indian fans, it was a dream week. Both Ayush Shetty and Tanvi Sharma reaching the finals of an international tournament together is a rare and powerful moment. This could very well mark the beginning of a new golden generation for Indian badminton.

Reaction from Indian Badminton Community

Former champions like Pullela Gopichand, Saina Nehwal, and Parupalli Kashyap took to social media to congratulate the youngsters. Gopichand tweeted, “Ayush and Tanvi have made us proud. This is just the beginning for both. The future is bright.”

Fans and netizens also flooded social media with #AyushShetty and #TanviSharma trending for hours.

What This Means for Indian Badminton Going Forward

India’s badminton scene has been buzzing for a while, but in recent years, the excitement has slowed down due to inconsistent performances. These victories show that India’s bench strength is stronger than we thought.

This also means better representation in future BWF World Tour events, World Championships, and possibly Olympic qualifiers. With players like Ayush and Tanvi stepping up, the pressure on top stars like PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen will ease, and India will have a more balanced squad across categories.

US Open 2025 Highlights for India