'Just so thankful': Singapore’s Shanti Pereira clinches Asian Games 100m silver
This is Shanti Pereira's second medal in the event after a silver at the last Asian Games.
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NAGOYA: Three years on from the last Asian Games, China, Singapore and Bahrain are once again the top three nations to rule the roost in the women's 100m.
But there is one key difference. The only athlete to clinch a medal twice is 30-year-old Shanti Pereira.
At the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Friday (Sep 25), Pereira took silver with a season's best time of 11.21s, just 0.01s shy of her national record.
China's Chen Yujie won gold in an Asian Games record time of 11.06s, smashing the previous mark of 11.15s that was set by Sri Lanka's Susanthika Jayasinghe in 2002. Bahrain's Edidiong Odiong took bronze in 11.33s.
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"This is my fourth Asian Games ... and the second one that I'm actually in contention for medals," a beaming Pereira told reporters after her race.
"As you grow older, you kind of don't really know when you're gonna compete in another one of these Games. That's why these Games really has a lot of meaning to me because not only am I here, but I'm fighting for medals and I'm in shape, I'm healthy. And I'm just so thankful for all of that."
Pereira said she was gunning to win the event, but also praised Chen for her showing.
"It's honestly so inspiring to see. It just means the sport is just growing, and we're just getting more and more competitive, which is really great," she added.
"And ultimately, I did want to win, but it was just to get on that podium and it really requires a gutsy performance from me, from everyone."
Pereira had also clinched a silver in the 100m at the last edition of the Games in Hangzhou. China's Ge Manqi took gold, while Bahrain's Hajar Al-Khaldi picked up the bronze.
"I've changed quite a bit (since then). I've really learned to embrace the ups and the downs of this sport. Not just that but being at this level, you just have to learn how to deal with a whole different set of expectations and pressure," said Pereira.
"It's like every time you run, you're expected to run something amazing, but obviously as an athlete, that's just not possible. And so it was really finding the me in all of this, and I think I did. I feel very content with who I am and how I perform, and the mindset that I have when it comes to big races."
"I LOVE THE PRESSURE NOW"
Pereira is the defending champion in the 200m event and will begin her title defence on Saturday.
And she is raring to go.
"I love the pressure now. It is just so fun," she said.
"I love being a part of it and it's a huge privilege to say that because not a lot of people get to. The fact that I'm here chasing medals is just an incredible place to be and I'm just happy with how my journey has played out up till now."
The Singaporean is aiming to make history as no woman has ever successfully defended their 200m title.
"I'm excited to see what's going to come out from that," she said. "But like I always say, it doesn't matter what all of us do before the Games. It matters what happens here and now."
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