{
  "id": 9470770,
  "title": "Taj Izrin credits ex-F1 driver Alex Yoong after Asian Games triumph",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/taj-izrin-credits-ex-f1-driver-alex-yoong-after-asian-games-triumph",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-24T02:45:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/esports/2026/09/1539879/taj-izrin-credits-ex-f1-driver-alex-yoong-after-asian-games-triumph"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Taj Izrin's e-Racing victory at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games can be attributed to the calming influence of former Formula One driver Alex Yoong, who provided mental preparation advice to the Malaysian athlete. During the Gran Turismo 7 final, Yoong taught Izrin the importance of remaining calm and practicing breathing techniques to manage intense pressure from competitors, including seasoned racers who had already achieved success at world championships. Izrin, who had previously excelled in real-world races and world championships, credits his extensive racing experience for helping him maintain focus during crucial moments. The ACFI-Nagoya Asiad Gran Turismo 7 final proved particularly challenging, as Izrin battled against the clock to recover from a slow start. However, his composure and ability to stay calm ultimately led him to secure Malaysia's first esports gold at the Aichi-Nagoya Asiad on Wednesday. Looking ahead, Izrin aims to build on his momentum by aiming for higher challenges, including the World Series in Singapore and opportunities to compete in the Nations Cup and Manufacturers Cup.",
  "summary": "AICHI: Former Malaysian Formula One driver Alex Yoong’s advice to stay calm proved to be the secret behind Taj Izrin Aiman Taj Madira’s historic e-Racing gold at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.",
  "key_points": [
    "Taj Izrin won e-Racing at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.",
    "Former F1 driver Alex Yoong provided mental preparation advice.",
    "Izrin credits racing experience for maintaining focus."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Taj Izrin's Asian Games e-Racing victory shows that guidance from experienced mentors like Alex Yoong can be a decisive factor in high-pressure competitions, helping athletes leverage their existing skills to succeed.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Asian Games 2026: Malaysia strike double gold, climb to top 10 in medal standings",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/asian-games-2026-malaysia-strike-double-gold-climb-to-top-10-in-medal",
        "published": "2026-09-24T02:25:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "From Olympic medal to Asian Games gold: Seong Seung-min's golden rise",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/from-olympic-medal-to-asian-games-gold-seong-seung-mins-golden-rise",
        "published": "2026-09-24T06:22:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}