Takagi Ramen re-signs Soh Rui Yong, backs him to represent Singapore at 2023 SEA Games & Asian Games
Local ramen chain Takagi Ramen has renewed its $20,000/year + unlimited ramen sponsorship deal with Soh Rui Yong.
In Soh’s first year representing Takagi Ramen, he broke the national records for 10,000m and the marathon, running 31min 12.05sec and 2hr 22min 59sec.
These two performances means Soh has met the qualifying marks for the 2023 SEA Games and 2023 Asian Games, set by the Singapore National Olympic Council.
Rui Yong has credited his success to the brand’s support through struggles and difficult times.
Takagi Ramen supports the fostering of a nurturing community and second chances.
SINGAPORE, 4 Jan 2022 - Takagi Ramen has officially renewed its $20,000/year, unlimited ramen sponsorship with Singapore’s top distance runner, Soh Rui Yong. Soh holds the Singapore national records for 5,000m (14min 44.21sec), 10,000m (31:12.05), half marathon (1hr 06min 46sec) and marathon (2:22:59), the only Singapore athlete in history to hold all 4 records concurrently. Soh is also currently in the second year of his 3 year law degree at University College London.
The new deal comes as part of Takagi Ramen’s continued expansion into the Singapore F&B industry, with the business announcing a new ramen bar opening at Redhill on 10 January 2022.
Takagi Ramen first signed Soh as an ambassador in October 2021. In Soh’s first year with Takagi Ramen, the Singapore athlete rewrote the national records for the 10,000m and the marathon. Soh first ran 2:22:59 to rewrite his old record of 2:23:42 at the 2021 Valencia Marathon in December 2021, before running 31:12.05 to finish 10th at the England Athletics 10,000m national championships in June 2022. Soh has credited Takagi Ramen for these breakthrough performances.
“Takagi Ramen has been a fantastic brand to work with - they have been extremely supportive not in material terms but by providing immense moral support and encouragement as well. There is also nothing better for the soul than a delicious hot bowl of ramen after a hard training session that leaves me exhausted and hungry. I am humbled and honoured to receive their support and will strive to reach even greater heights this year, with the Takagi logo on my chest,” Soh shared.
“As a distance runner, I burn a lot of fat and carbs. It’s important to consume enough post workout to recover, and a bowl of Takagi Ramen gives me the protein, carbohydrates and fat I need to fully absorb my training load and take my body to a new fitness level.”
Despite Soh’s record-breaking performances and his knack of winning gold for Singapore when selected (Soh won marathon gold at the 2015 and 2017 SEA Games), the athlete missed out selection for the 2022 SEA Games due to past disputes with the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), leaving future selection in doubt. Takagi Ramen founder Yang Kaiheng has pleaded for parties to put the past behind and move forward in the best interests of Singapore.
“The facts are this: Singapore won 3 consecutive SEA Games marathon gold medals in 2013, 2015, and 2017. Since Soh’s non-selection in 2019 and 2022, Singapore men have not won a single gold medal in track and field at the SEA Games. I think it’s safe to say that we have not handled matters in the best interest of Singapore. Having followed the disputes with interests, both parties have their merits and reasons for acting in the way they did. Whatever we feel about Soh’s handling of disputes in the past, he has apologised to SNOC and acknowledged he could have done better. For the best interests of our country, I hope SNOC can accept his olive branch and field our best athlete for future games again,” Yang said.
“Soh is an extremely hard working athlete, a diligent student who will soon graduate with his law degree and a great ambassador for Takagi Ramen. I believe he is a role model for every young Singaporean striving for success in studies, sports, or in their career as well. We are blessed to have him as the face of our brand for another year, and will continue supporting his to achieve excellence in track and field.”