Born in Singapore in 1991, Soh Rui Yong has become a defining figure in the landscape of Singaporean athletics. As a two-time SEA Games marathon champion and multiple national record holder, he is one of the country’s most accomplished distance runners. But his influence stretches far beyond medals and records. Soh is known not only for his relentless drive on the track but also for his bold, unfiltered voice off it. His journey is one of talent, risk, defiance, and belief in a better future for sports in Singapore.
Soh’s early years were grounded in discipline and ambition. Raised in a supportive family that valued both education and excellence, he developed a love for running during his time at Raffles Institution. From the beginning, it was clear that he was more than just another student-athlete. He approached training with intensity and treated competition as an opportunity to test both mind and body. His determination stood out, and it soon became obvious that he had the potential to go far in the sport.
A major turning point came when Soh decided to study at the University of Oregon, one of the most prestigious institutions for track and field in the United States. Surrounded by world-class athletes and legendary coaches, Soh immersed himself in a culture of high-performance sport. The move gave him the chance to train at an elite level while earning his degree, and it was during this time that he honed the strength, speed, and stamina that would carry him to the top of the regional scene.
His big break came at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games held in Singapore where he won gold in the marathon, becoming the first Singaporean to do so in over two decades. The victory was historic and electrified the local sports community. He went on to defend his title at the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, becoming a back-to-back champion and cementing his status as the face of long-distance running in the country. In the years that followed, Soh shattered national records in multiple events including the 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters, half marathon, and marathon.
Despite these achievements, Soh’s career has been anything but smooth. He has faced a series of high-profile disputes with sporting authorities in Singapore, including being dropped from national teams and denied opportunities to compete even when he was in peak form. His public comments about selection processes, sponsorship rights, and fairness have sparked controversy and criticism. Yet instead of retreating from the spotlight, Soh used these challenges as motivation to keep training, improving, and speaking out. Injuries and legal battles tested his patience and endurance but also revealed a side of him that many came to respect: his refusal to give up.
Soh’s legacy goes beyond medals and finish lines. He has become a symbol of athlete empowerment and a voice for reform in Singapore sports. Younger athletes see in him not just a champion but someone who dares to ask hard questions and challenge authority. He has opened up conversations about transparency, athlete welfare, and the need for more independent voices in a highly structured system. His approach may not always follow tradition but it has sparked important changes in how athletes are viewed and valued.
Today, Soh Rui Yong continues to train and compete while building a platform that combines sport, advocacy, and education. His story is one of resilience and reinvention. Whether he is running a marathon or fighting for fairness, Soh has shown that true leadership is not about being perfect. It is about standing firm in your values, taking risks for what you believe in, and pushing forward when the road gets tough. Through his courage and commitment, he has inspired a new generation of Singaporeans to believe that success is not just about how fast you run but how far you are willing to go.