Post by Daniel Sum

Last month, I ended my year-long participation in the 2025 IISL Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition, with SMU coming in 1st at the Regionals and 2nd runner-up at the Worlds. As my first competitive mooting experience, it was an important milestone for me. It would be remiss not to dedicate some thoughts and thanks. Though we did not achieve the win we were looking for, I find myself in an interestingly awkward position of having more to be grateful for than sad, which in itself is already a privilege. First, to Prof, my coaches, and the 2024 seniors, Chen Siyuan, Amar Pandey, Chong Kai Sheng, Neo Yu Fan (梁宇凡), Raelee T., Elizabeth Ho Li Hui, Genieve Wu (胡芷仪) and Bernadette Teo. Thank you for all the support, time and resources spent on us, for pushing us to accomplish more, and for allowing me to learn and grow myself as a budding advocate. I’ve learnt to appreciate it even more as I interact with others on the world stage. SMU’s mooting community is really in a league of its own, and I am a grateful beneficiary of it. You all have shown me how much further I have to go to be the best advocate I can be. To my wonderful teammates Janae Kwan (关睿恩), Natasha Lim, and Lachlan Neo 梁凯泽, whom I’ve arguably spent too much time with. Thank you for toiling and fighting together side by side as we tried to understand one of the most complex problems I’ve seen. I will always remember the days and nights we spent working on memos and rounds together, discussing (or fighting) about the problem through long hours and late nights. And last but definitely not least, to God, from Whom are all things and to Whom are all things. All glory goes to Him who has brought me a long way. Competing overseas in Y2 was not something I expected or imagined could’ve been possible as part of my advocacy journey. I have grown exponentially, and am excited for much more to come.