Marathon runner Soh Rui Yong, 30, accepted into prestigious UK law school, jokes he can defend himself against defamation next time – Mothership.SG

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Singapore champion marathoner Soh Rui Yong, 30, has been accepted into the prestigious University College London law school.

He announced this unexpected new development in a Facebook post on October 26.

At the time of his announcement, Soh said he had already been taking online classes for about five weeks at the start of the new semester.

UCL is ranked sixth in the world by Times Higher Education.

To sue people next time?

In response to Mothership‘s about why he was doing law and whether he was preparing to personally sue people next time, Soh joked, “Haha! I prefer to defend myself against people who seek libel lawsuits after I have them. called for lying. “

He added, “The truth is, I’m sick of watching the rich and powerful make up their own bogus stories and then go to court to sue anyone who doesn’t agree with their narrative.”

“It was a powerful motivation to become a lawyer – some liars can be rich and powerful, but I will survive them in persistence and strategy.”

Why study law now?

Soh said in his post that he did not make the decision to go back to school to pursue another degree lightly at age 30.

He revealed that he intended to study law at the National University of Singapore before, but gave up the idea because he wanted to run competitively and take the time to train at the era.

Singapore Law School, he was told at the time, would take too much of his waking hours.

He added that his application this time to a foreign university was an impulsive decision because he was bored.

Soh wrote:

A while ago I was really bored with life-killing Covid-19, so I decided to apply to London’s top law school for fun. I was interested in studying law during Raffles JC’s time, but elderly people at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Law told me that if I wanted to do well in sports, NUS Law was not probably not a good choice (a lot of work and little sleep, apparently).

Soh also said in response to questions that his current course would take three years, which would eventually have to be completed in the UK, and then would have to retake the bar in Singapore, which would take at least a year longer. .

Only then will he be allowed to practice law here.

I didn’t think he would qualify

Soh said in his post that he didn’t think UCL would respond to him.

Her application was to submit her 2009 A-level certificate, with AAB / A grades lower than the AAA / A grades required to enter UCL Law School, as well as her first business degree certificate from UCL. University of Oregon, where he obtained his magna degree. cum laude.

To crown his candidacy, he wrote a personal “passionate” cover letter about how the law is sometimes abused by the rich and powerful when it can and should be a pillar of justice in society.

He then moved on with his life after submitting the request.

I have thought a lot about the pursuit of law

Soh said he received his acceptance letter and considered his decision to go to law school during his long training, and decided to go.

Currently he is following the first term of school online partly because of the Covid-19 situation in the UK, and partly because he was busy with some races in Singapore, like the Pocari Sweat 2.4km Challenge.

Since then, he has taken courses and tutorials in contract, property, public and criminal law.

Soh also cited his recent crossover with defense attorneys in a civil libel action against him as an inspiration to draw inspiration from the law.

Soh wrote that going back to law is almost poetic: “I put the law aside to run when I was 18. Oddly enough, the money I earn as a professional athlete is now going to help pay for school fees. full circle. “

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Top photo via Soh Rui Yong Facebook