Aaron-Roy King wins Arctic Open

VANTAA, FINLAND, 12 OCTOBER 2026 —

Malaysian mixed doubles pair Aaron Tai and Yap Roy King claimed their first major title by winning the Arctic Open badminton championship in Vantaa, Finland, on Saturday.

The match, held at the Vantaan Energia Arena, ended with a score of 21-19, 21-19 in favor of the Malaysian pair. As champions of the BWF World Tour Super 500 event, Aaron and Roy King secured a prize money of US$39,500, equivalent to RM161,377, along with gold medals. This victory marks a significant achievement for the pair, who are considered an experimental combination within the Malaysian men’s doubles coaching setup.

The partnership between Aaron Tai and Yap Roy King represents a strategic shift in the national team’s lineup. Prior to this event, Aaron Tai was paired with Kang Khai Xing, while Yap Roy King competed alongside Arif Junaidi. The new pairing was the first experimental combination introduced by head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi.

Their success in Vantaa is the first title won by this specific experimental pair in the BWF World Tour, validating the coaching staff’s tactical adjustments.

Contextualizing the recent history of the players, Aaron Tai had previously been paired with Aaron Chia. That earlier combination reached the final of the Taiwan Open, where they finished as runners-up. The current victory in Finland thus represents a progression from that previous near-miss, establishing the new Aaron-Roy King pairing as a competitive force on the international stage.

For Malaysia, the result underscores the effectiveness of the coaching staff’s experimental approach to doubles pairings. By successfully integrating two players who had previously competed in different partnerships, the team has demonstrated flexibility in its roster management. The win at a Super 500 level event adds a significant trophy to the national record and provides momentum for the Malaysian badminton program as it navigates the competitive landscape of the BWF World Tour.

The story concludes with the confirmation of the pair’s status as the new champions of the Arctic Open. Having secured the gold medal and the associated financial reward, Aaron Tai and Yap Roy King have established themselves as a formidable unit under the guidance of Herry Iman Pierngadi. Their performance in Vantaa serves as a definitive statement of their capability to compete at the highest levels of international badminton.

Related: Vantaan Energia Arena · Aaron Tai and Yap Roy King · Vantaa, Finland