'I won 2 times already, don't need to keep winning, very boring': Soh Rui Yong takes 7th-place finish at SEA Games in stride

After Singapore national runner Soh Rui Yong finished 7th at the 2025 SEA Games on Dec. 16, he was quick to remind reporters that he already had two SEA Games golds to his name.

"I won two times already, I don't need to keep winning, very boring," Soh said in jest at the end of a post-race interview.

Soh, 34, had finished 7th in the men's 10,000m final, coming in with a time of 31 minutes 31.91 seconds.

The gold medal went to Kieran Tuntivate of Thailand with a timing of 29:41.81.

Soh was the oldest runner in the race.

'Tough race'

Speaking to the media after the race, Soh cited tough race conditions, adding that his first lap was the fastest but he slowed down afterwards.

Soh said he tried to change his strategy mid-race, but to no avail.

Midway through the race, Soh was also lapped by the race leaders.

"It felt like I was running my own race", he said.

Soh said that for next year, his target is to qualify for the 5,000m, 10,000m and marathon events.

"And then, we make a choice based on what's best for the team".

Past wins

Soh is the first Singaporean male marathoner to win back-to-back SEA Games titles.

He won gold in the 2015 SEA Games held in Singapore and followed it up with a gold at the 2017 edition.

Soh also won a silver medal in the 10,000m event at the 2023 SEA Games, held in Cambodia.

Top image from runsohfast/Instagram