{
  "id": 11803077,
  "title": "At 19, Laqian is already 12 years into his acrobatics journey",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/at-19-laqian-is-already-12-years-into-his-acrobatics-journey-11803077",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-03T23:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/10/04/at-19-laqian-is-already-12-years-into-his-acrobatics-journey"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Laqian, a 19-year-old acrobat from China's Yi ethnic group, has dedicated 12 years to mastering his high-chair routine. Standing at 10 meters above the stage in a recent Beijing performance, the controlled movements he executes are backed by years of repetition and experience. Laqian, who began learning acrobatics at the age of seven, expressed initial nerves when he first performed the act. However, after multiple repetitions, the high-chair routine no longer evokes fear. The Chinese acrobat shared that mastering the high-chair routine took around eight to nine years, beginning with basic movements and gradually progressing to more challenging skills. The performance at the Beijing show was part of a larger \"Legend of Chinese Charm\" show, showcasing various acts including plate spinning, bowl balancing, bicycle acrobatics, hat juggling, and flying motorcycles. Laqian's performance was not merely about the physical feat but also aimed to spread appreciation for the beauty, discipline, and skill that Chinese acrobatics embody.",
  "summary": "The young Chinese performer began training at seven and now balances atop towers of chairs reaching heights that once terrified him.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "At 19, Laqian is already 12 years into his acrobatics journey",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/at-19-laqian-is-already-12-years-into-his-acrobatics-journey",
        "published": "2026-10-03T23:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}