SHAH ALAM, July 5 — Success should be celebrated regardless of how popular a sport may be, says world number one tower runner Soh Wai Ching, who hopes athletes competing in niche sports will receive greater recognition for their achievements.
The reigning world champion said that many Malaysian athletes have produced impressive results on the international stage but often struggle to receive the same level of attention as competitors in mainstream sports.
While appreciative of the support he has received throughout his career, the Selangor Sportsman of the Year 2024 believes greater recognition can help motivate athletes to continue pursuing excellence.
"One of my biggest ambitions today is to help develop the next generation of Malaysian athletes,” he told Media Selangor in a recent interview.
Soh added that he is currently mentoring several tower running athletes, including world number 10 Muhammad Hazim Zuhairi Azahari and Ayman Hakimy Salehuddin, while identifying other promising young talents who could one day compete internationally.
“I want another Malaysian to replace me as world number one. That is my dream, because it means the sport has grown and Malaysia will continue to be successful even after I am no longer competing,” he said.
Unlike many elite athletes who guard their training methods closely, Soh openly shares his knowledge so that future athletes can surpass his achievements.
“Some people may think that sounds strange, but if nobody can challenge the champion, then the sport will not progress. I believe we should share knowledge and help each other improve,” he said.
Reflecting on his own success, Soh attributed it more to perseverance than natural ability.
"People always talk about talent, but honestly, I see myself as 95 per cent hard work and five per cent talent. What made the difference was showing up every day, staying disciplined, and constantly looking for ways to improve," he said.
Performance over financial rewards
Soh also advised aspiring athletes not to become overly focused on financial rewards at the beginning of their careers, urging them to instead concentrate on improving their performance.
“Sponsors usually come when you have results and when people can see that you are serious about what you do. Athletes need to be reliable, professional, and responsible, because sponsors are not only investing in your results, they are also investing in you as a person,” he said.
Looking back on his own journey, Soh recalled using National Higher Education Fund Corporation funds to finance his early international competitions and sending sponsorship proposals to hundreds of companies despite facing repeated rejection.
Rather than allowing setbacks to discourage him, he continued to search for opportunities and push himself forward.
“Never fear rejection. If one door closes, keep knocking on another door. If you really believe in something, keep trying because opportunities can come when you least expect them,” Soh said.
For young Malaysians, he believes curiosity and continuous self-improvement are the keys to long-term success.
“Whatever industry or profession you choose, always try to become better than you were yesterday. If everyone becomes the top one per cent in their industry, Malaysia will become a better place,” Soh said.
