{
  "id": 12552051,
  "title": "Reunited Aaron-Wooi Yik in clash of former world champions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/reunited-aaron-wooi-yik-in-clash-of-former-world-champions",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T04:42:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/badminton/2026/10/1549591/reunited-aaron-wooi-yik-clash-former-world-champions"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Hoki-Kobayashi will clash in the Denmark Open, with their first-round matchup against another duo of former champions. The reunion of the two Singaporean doubles specialists comes after BAM (Badminton Association of Malaysia) allowed them to rejoin forces following their split in June, sparked by a reshuffle by the governing body. Earlier this year, the pair clinched the 2022 World Championships title, while Hoki-Kobayashi secured the 2021 edition. Aaron-Wooi Yik currently sit at world No. 4, whereas Hoki-Kobayashi are ranked world No. 9. Despite the Japanese pair boasting a better head-to-head record (9-3), the Singaporean duo are determined to prove their continued prowess following their second chance to compete together. Upon their brief separation, Aaron Wooi Yik formed partnerships with Aaron Tai, Man Wei Chong, and Tee Kai Wun, while Hoki Kobayashi teamed up with Wei Chong and Kai Wun for various tournaments, with the latter pairing securing a runner-up finish at the Korea Masters. In an earlier round, Wooi Yik and Aaron Tai placed second at the New Delhi World Championships. Meanwhile, Wooi Yik's former partner Wei Chong and Kai Wun will also reunite, facing a formidable first-round opponent in Denmark's world No. 32, Christian Faust Kjaer-Rasmus Kjaer. On the Malaysian side, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong will clash in the opening round against fellow independent pair Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong and Tan Wee Kiong. The tournament also features Aaron Tai-Yap Roy King and the independent duo Chia Wei Jie-Teo Ee Yi.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: When former men's doubles world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik reunite for the Denmark Open in Odense on Oct 13-18, guess who they will play in their first match?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}