With the Badminton World Championships around the corner and the draws now sealed, all eyes are on Ayush Shetty, who has been handed the toughest opening match among all Indian singles players.

Ayush, on his tournament debut, will face World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi. The odds are not in favour of the 21-year-old, having lost all three meetings to date, including the most recent one in the final of the Asian Championships.

“As soon as I got Shi (in the draw), I told myself that I was ready to face anyone. As I’m unseeded, I was prepared to play even the World No. 1. It’s just another match, though I’m aware that it’ll be a really tough battle,” Ayush said in an online interaction.

Despite the daunting task at hand, Ayush cut a confident figure when asked about the rematch, stating that he has analysed all their meetings and is ready for the ‘special’ clash.

“Shi is a really tough opponent to play against. I remember my match against him in the Asian Championships final; he was really prepared. But I think I’ve gotten better and we’ll be better prepared this time. I really have to work hard while playing against him. I’ll have to be tactically better this time,” he said.

“It gives me confidence that I have done well in the Thomas Cup and Asian Championships, but the World Championships is definitely higher-ranked for me and my team. It’s a good challenge, and I’m ready.”

This is the second straight edition in which an Indian will face Shi in the opening round, after Lakshya Sen went down 17-21, 19-21 to the Chinese player last year.

Lakshya, however, avenged that loss when the two met again in the first round at the All England earlier this year.

Shi, who will be defending his title, has been far from his best in recent weeks, and that gives a now fully fit Ayush a chance to cause an early upset.

“I had some pain (elbow injury) earlier, but now it’s all good. I’ll be at 100% during the Worlds,” he stated.

Armed with hard work and resilience, Sachin Siwach followed the advice of his roommate-cum-mentor Amit Panghal to overcome five years of struggle, win Commonwealth Games gold, and finally make his mark at the elite level.

Sachin, who matched his fellow villager and namesake to become the second World Youth champion from Mitathal village in Haryana in 2021, battled injuries, questionable verdicts, and hard luck as he failed to make an impact at big events like the Asian Games, World Championships, and Olympic qualifiers. Meanwhile, he medalled at the Asian Championships and in World Boxing Cup stages.

Now, the CWG gold has boosted his self-belief. “Sometimes it was my mistake, sometimes not. The setbacks made me stronger. The CWG title has motivated me. I reached the top of the ladder. It’ll be easier from here on,” Sachin, the men’s 60kg champion in Glasgow, told The Hindu.

Sachin beat a range of opponents — from Canada, England, Botswana, Wales, and Namibia. He started with a win over Canada’s CWG bronze medallist Keoma-Ali Al-Ahmedieh and ended with a spectacular come-from-behind victory in the final against the big and tricky Namibian Tryagain Morning Ndevelo.

“Mine was the toughest draw. Since I had beaten the Canadian earlier, I was confident. In the final, it came down to the last round. I was determined to win gold,” he said.

Sachin wants to make amends for his quarterfinal finish, and missing out on a medal, at the last Asian Games. “It was just luck. This Asiad will be different in terms of competition. I’m confident. I’ll work on my mistakes.”

Sachin credits much of his growth to Panghal. “He was my roommate and training partner (2023-2025). I learned a lot from him — how to rectify mistakes, about diet and rest. He told me about my weak points and strengths, how to block punches and how to move my legs. Amit bhai was World No.1 and has won big medals. I learned everything from him.”

Indian men’s team head coach C.A. Kuttappa wants to see certain improvements in Sachin. “He shouldn’t bend too much. He was penalised for this in the final. Also, he should learn to adapt and box from different ranges as per the situation,” said Kuttappa.

For now, Sachin is celebrating with his family before shifting his focus to Asiad preparation.

Olympic and World championships medallist Mirabai Chanu need not push herself to claim her third consecutive gold at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, said National chief coach Vijay Sharma.

Mirabai totalled 205kg at the National championships at Modinagar in February before pulling out of the Asian championships at Gandhinagar in May due to a shoulder injury.

The soon-to-be 32-year-old will be eyeing her fourth CWG medal of any colour in a row in Glasgow while trying to stay injury-free.

Since an Asian Games medal has eluded Mirabai, the continental Games in Aichi-Nagoya, from September 19 to October 4, would be her priority. Sharma said it would not be prudent to push her in the women’s 48kg competition in Glasgow.

“For Mira, the CWG will be like a practice event before the Asian Games. A total of 190-195kg should be enough for her to win the CWG gold medal. Irrespective of the total, a gold is a gold. Her main target is medalling at the Asian Games,” Sharma told The Hindu.

Mirabai had won the Commonwealth championships title in Ahmedabad by a margin of 32kg after aggregating 193kg.

Apart from Mirabai, V. Ajaya Babu (79kg) will be in the race for a gold medal. M. Raja (65kg) has an outside chance of finishing on top of the podium.

Following four positive dope tests, including that of gold medal prospect N. Ajith (71kg), which led to a reduction in the country’s quota places, it will be challenging for the Indian weightlifting squad to replicate its 10-medal performance of the Birmingham Games four years ago.

The 12-member Indian weightlifting team trained at Wolverhampton University in Birmingham for more than three weeks before moving to Glasgow.

India clinched five medals, including a gold in the mixed 4x400m relay, to begin their Asian U-23 Athletics Championships on a strong note here on Thursday.

The Indian quartet of Astik Pradhan, Sandra Mol Sabu, Sethu Mishra and Shravani Sachin Sangle clocked 3 minute 18.64 seconds to take the top spot in the last event of the day for the country.

Besides the gold, the Indians added one silver and three bronze medals on the opening day of competitions.

It was Bhartpreet Singh who opened India’s medal account with a bronze in the men’s discus throw with an effort of 52.91m. China’s Li Zhixin clinched the gold with a throw of 60.79m, while compatriot Jiang Zehao took the silver with 59.60m.

Indians finished 2-3 in the men’s 5000m race final with Shivaji Parashuram Madappagoudra taking the silver in 14:08.19 and Vinod Singh claiming the bronze with a timing of 14:23.67. Japan’s Rui Suzuki won gold, clocking 14:01.24.

The last Indian medal of the day — a bronze — was won by Prachi Devkar in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, clocking 10 minute 32.69 seconds. It was 1-2 for China with Yang Yiting taking the gold with a time of 10:14.68, while Liu Yuxin pocketing the silver in 10:25.51.

India are being represented by 53 athletes in the inaugural edition of the championships.

Even though Gulveer Singh clocked 13:52.92, well outside the Asian Games qualifying mark of 13:39.18, to win the men’s 5,000m at the National inter-State athletics meet at the Kalinga Stadium here on Wednesday, he may still stand a chance of being picked for the 5,000m and 10,000m races.

Since the Athletics Federation of India selection committee will take the final decision, Gulveer has a good chance to get picked on the basis of his consistent performances.

The 28-year-old Gulveer, the 10,000m bronze medallist in the last Asiad and the 5,000m and 10,000m gold medallist in the Asian championships, had issues in acclimatising after landing here from a six-month training stint in the USA.

“I used to wake up at 2 o’clock in the night. I have gotten used to it (the time zone), about 50 per cent now,” said Gulveer after finishing his first race in India this season.

“I am not satisfied with the time. It’s hot. The track is new, it’s not gripping well and is bouncy.”

Gulveer, the National record holder in 5,000m and 10,000m, wants to retain his focus on his training, despite the pressure of expectations, and follow his coach Scott Simmons’ advice. 

“I have to take pressure. We are doing our best. God knows what will happen in the future. I am focusing on my training. We are not thinking too much,” said Gulveer, who is eyeing a good time in the 1,500m in an attempt to make his finishes faster. He is focusing on his speed work after a disappointing outing in the Tokyo World Championships.

While planning to compete in two major events, the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, this season, Gulveer relies on Simmons. “I communicate with my coach after the events. He will decide how to go about it,” said Gulveer.