Soh Rui Yong, 34, receives 'abnormal' heart activity result, 2025 SEA Games spot on the line

Soh Rui Yong, Singapore's fastest marathoner, underwent a routine medical screening before the December 2025 SEA Games in Thailand and was informed that he might not be cleared to compete.

This puts the 34-year-old's bid for a 10,000m medal at the games from Dec. 9 to 20 in jeopardy.

Soh's health screening at Changi General Hospital (CGH) yielded electrocardiogram (ECG) results that showed that his heart activity was “abnormal, with multiple premature ventricular complexes”, according to The Straits Times (ST).

He would need "further cardiovascular evaluation" as a result.

Soh told ST that he hopes that the issue will be resolved in time.

His SEA Games race is on Dec. 16.

Will still compete in Standard Chartered marathon

Before that though, Soh said he is still intending to run in the half marathon and marathon at this weekend’s Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon on Dec. 6 and 7.

Sport Singapore (SportSG) told ST that all Singapore athletes undergo “comprehensive medical assessments” as part of its protocol for all major SEA Games.

Soh posted an update on Dec. 5 that he is undergoing further tests.

Background

Soh's appeal to compete in Bangkok was successful in August 2025.

He was initially omitted from the list of athletes released by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) on Aug. 6.

The selection committee did not support Soh’s nomination as they said they only sent athletes who "uphold the values and behaviours expected of Singapore’s national representatives".

After clashing with the SNOC, Soh was not selected for the 2018 Asian Games, and SEA Games in 2019 and 2022.

He was picked for the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, but did not compete in the marathon and won the 10,000m silver.

He then missed the Asian Games in China as SNOC noted that he had made "disparaging and derisive remarks" in the public domain.

On Aug. 28, the SNOC appeals committee made the decision to allow Soh to compete in the 2025 SEA Games.

Previous accomplishments

Soh won the SEA Games marathon twice.

He is eyeing a 10,000m gold after getting silver in 2023.

During the lead-up to the 2025 SEA Games, Soh ran the Nittaidai Challenge Games in Tokyo on Nov. 29 with a time of 30 minutes 33.29 seconds to beat the previous 10,000m national record of 31:02.40 set by Shaun Goh in August 2025.

He previously won gold at the 2015 and 2017 SEA Games marathon.

Top photos via Soh Rui Yong