Shaun Goh
The 28-year-old is a full-time software engineer who trains before and after his office hours. Shaun has an existing contract with sportswear brand Puma, Rui Yong has pointed out that is not paid enough to be a full-time athlete.
At the SEA Games, Shaun clocked two personal bests (PB), 14:55 in the 5,000m and 31:02 in the 10,000m, becoming only the second Singaporean man (after Rui Yong) in 52 years to break the national record in the 10,000m.
In contrast, Kieran Tuntivate of Thailand is a full-time professional runner for the Nike Bowerman Track Club.
The 28-year-old, who is of Thai American heritage, is also supported by various Thai and international corporations and would have been one of the best runners in the USA had he chosen to run for them.
He went on to win the unprecedented men’s triple of 1,500m, 5,000m, and 10,000m at the SEA Games, even scoring two PBs.