From feverish start to gold: Shetty’s unforgettable Hangzhou moment

At 27, Chirag Shetty entered the Asian Games amid a severe fever that left him struggling to walk. Despite the health setback, he pushed through the competition, eventually capturing the gold medal in the men’s doubles event with partner Satwiksairaj Rankireddy. The pair’s perseverance paid off when, after the final, the iconic song "Jai Ho" resonated throughout the Hangzhou arena, igniting a wave of national pride. Shetty recalled the surreal feeling of hearing an Indian track on an overseas stage and how the moment spurred a spontaneous on‑court dance, with both athletes raising their tees in celebration. He highlighted that the dual achievement—Asian Games gold and attaining world No.1—stands among the highest accolades of his sporting journey.