{
  "id": 12624354,
  "title": "Zii Jia rediscovers his mojo at Arctic Open",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/zii-jia-rediscovers-his-mojo-at-arctic-open",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T12:08:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/badminton/2026/10/1549942/zii-jia-rediscovers-his-mojo-arctic-open"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: Lee Zii Jia's passion for the men's singles shuttling sport was evident as he advanced to the quarter-finals in Finland on Wednesday. Ranking 56th globally, Zii Jia dominated China's Dong Tian Yao 21-18, 21-14 in just 42 minutes at Vantaa Energia Areena. The former All England champion clinched the Arctic Open title in 2023 and reached the last eight the following year. Due to injury last year, Zii Jia abstained from competing in the Super 500 event but bounced back by defeating Finland's Kalle Koljonen in the qualifiers on Tuesday. Subsequently, he defeated Tian Yao to secure a spot in the last 16. This impressive run follows his less-than-stellar performance at the Vietnam Open last month, where he lost to Taiwan's Wu Zhe Ying in the second round. Zii Jia will face world No. 39 Su Li Yang, also from Taiwan, in a crucial match on Thursday. Li Yang had previously aided Malaysian Zii Jia by eliminating world No. 12 Lin Chun Yi (21-17, 21-6), who clinched the All England title this year, in the first round. Zii Jia holds a favorable 2-0 head-to-head record against Li Yang.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The Arctic Open holds a special place in Lee Zii Jia's heart, and the men's singles shuttler was in fiery form as he stormed into the last 16 in Finland on Wednesday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Zii Jia beats Chinese shuttler in Arctic Open 1st round",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/zii-jia-beats-chinese-shuttler-in-arctic-open-1st-round",
        "published": "2026-10-07T12:33:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}