Soh Rui Yong Fires Off an Unexpected Call‑to‑Action
Just when everyone thought the tangled thread of the defamation case between national marathon legend Soh Rui Yong and his former teammate Ashley Liew had finally been untangled, the Singaporean sprinter posted a bold challenge on Facebook on April 5th.
The Challenge
Soh, who’s currently in London chasing a law degree, asked Liew to step up his game and prove his sportsmanship by taking the $180,000 in damages that he won and turning it into something that actually moves the community forward.
- Use the whole amount to set up a fund or scholarship that benefits athletes across Singapore.
- He emphasises that most of the money came from generous public donations.
- In short, he sees this as a chance to “perform a good deed” that brings a clean closure to the painful saga.
A Mixed‑Bag Reaction
A savvy netizen on the comments page was perplexed by Soh’s sudden shift. After all, the sprinter had previously said he’d “move forward from here.” The new post, some say, re‑ignites the spotlight on the dispute, but in his own words:
“Doing a good deed like this will give everyone a nice closure to move on from this unfortunate episode.”
Only time will tell if this generous pledge will finally put the dust to rest.
Local Man Soh’s Courtcase Still Keeps the Door Open
Soh (30) recently gave a clear statement on why he hasn’t “closed the chapter” on his legal saga.
Why Stay Open?
- Unanswered questions from the courtroom still linger.
- He’s wary of jumping to conclusions before all facts surface.
- He wants to make sure every piece of evidence is fully examined.
He Says:
“I’m not done yet because there are still a few unanswered questions coming out of this court case,” Soh explained.
While some might think the case should be fine-tuned and closed, he’ll keep the legal page open like a bookmark—until every mystery is resolved. It’s a reminder that justice often works in slow motion, and patience can be the best ally.
Courts, Crowdfunding, and an Unfinished Marathon
It’s never easy when a marathon turns into a marathon of legal battles. In 2015, marathoner Soh Rui Yong and his rival Liew Jan‑Khin found themselves locked in a dispute that stretched on longer than any race track ever could.
September Verdict: The Court Sticks to the Damages
Last September, a District Court judge handed out a hefty fine that left Soh’s wallet on a diet: $120,000 in general damages and $60,000 for aggravated harm. Liew’s claim of fair play didn’t budge, so the judge kept the money in place.
Because He Needed More: The Crowdfunding Call
Facing a bill that could easily rival a new car’s sticker price, Soh posted a heartfelt plea on his blog: “I’ll be honest and say that I don’t have the money on hand. I need your help.”
He turned to the world—friends, fans, strangers on social media—for a quick fix. After all, who doesn’t love a good fundraiser, even when it involves a marathon veteran and a giant financial gap?
March 28: The Appeal Gets the Nix
Soh wasn’t a stranger to the courtroom, so he tried to overturn the decision. His appeal, however, was shot down by a High Court judge on March 28, confirming the order in full. In a brief press release, Soh took the loss in stride: he said he respected the Court’s decision “and will move forward from here.”
Moving On—And Apologizing to SNOC
In a separate move, Soh Rui Yong issued a public apology to SNOC, making it clear that he’s not begging for a spot on the SEA Games team. After all, what’s the point of a marathon if you’re run chasing only prizes?
Key Takeaways
- Soh faced a towering $180,000 fine from a District Court.
- He launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover the shortfall.
- An appeal to the High Court was dismissed.
- Despite the setback, he remains committed to his running and to the next competition.
- His apology to SNOC confirms he’s not looking for a free pass onto the SEA Games squad.
So, folks—if you’re planning next year’s marathon funding, learn from Soh: a strong will can mean the difference between finishing 42 km and finishing 42 legal minutes. Stay tuned for the next chapter in the saga of Soh Rui Yong.
