For Chirag Shetty, the journey to the top of world badminton began close to home, on the courts of Mumbai, where he first picked up a racket at the age of seven. What started as a childhood introduction to sport gradually became a pursuit of excellence, taking him from local courts to the biggest stages in the world.

In the latest episode of Reliance Foundation’s Safar Champions Ka, Chirag revisits the places, people and moments that shaped his journey, reflecting on his early days, his family’s role and the mindset that helped him become one of India’s most accomplished badminton players.

“This is the club where I started playing badminton for the first time. I was seven when I first held a racket,” Chirag recalls. One of his fondest memories remains playing on the court with his father, Chandrasekhar Shetty, who introduced him to the sport at a young age.

Chandrasekhar, who had himself played sport recreationally, wanted his son to become a champion in whichever field he chose. At six or seven, Chirag was enrolled at Goregaon Sports Club in Mumbai, setting the foundation for what would become an extraordinary sporting career.

His mother, Sujata Shetty, initially hoped badminton would remain a part of his life alongside his studies. Chirag went on to graduate from N.M. College, Mumbai, while continuing to pursue badminton. The encouragement he received from a teacher also proved significant, as she urged his mother to allow him to continue playing because he was doing well academically too.

Years later, the same club that witnessed the beginning of his journey took on a new significance. The stadium was named the Chirag Shetty Badminton Hall, a moment that made him feel that his journey had come full circle.

That journey has since taken him to Olympic competition, Asian championships, Asian Games glory, a World Championship medal, the Thomas Cup triumph and the summit of the world rankings. For Chirag, reaching World No. 1 was a dream, but staying there demanded even more.

“To become World No. 1, I think it’s really, really tough. We always had that dream. Maintaining World No. 1 was even more difficult,” he says.

He credits the hunger to compete and the desire to be the best in the world for continuing to drive him forward.

His approach on court is equally clear. Chirag believes in keeping things simple, trusting his instincts and avoiding self-doubt, a philosophy that has become a key part of his partnership with Satwik Reddy Rankireddy.

With the Asian Games ahead, Chirag knows another major challenge awaits. Having experienced the highs of the previous edition, he hopes to help India create another memorable chapter.

“Asian Games is definitely one of the biggest events of this year. We hope to achieve what we did three years back,” he says.

His journey with Reliance Foundation Sports is also only beginning. Chirag reflects on the early results of the partnership, including the Singapore Open title after a lengthy title drought, a Thomas Cup medal and a runners-up finish at the Thailand Open.

“I think the graph is only going higher, and I look forward to many more years of support. And, together, I hope we can create history,” Chirag says.

From a seven-year-old holding his first racket in Mumbai to standing at the pinnacle of world badminton, Chirag Shetty’s Safar Champions Ka story is ultimately about the people, places and belief that turned a childhood beginning into a champion’s journey.