Singapore sprint queen Shanti Pereira takes 100m silver at Asian Athletics Championships
Pereira was the defending champion in the event, having clinched a historic sprint double at the 2023 championships.
Singapore's Shanti Pereira celebrates after taking silver in the 100m at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, on May 28, 2025. (Photo: Singapore Athletics/Thiruben)
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SINGAPORE: Singapore sprint queen Shanti Pereira clinched a 100m silver at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, on Wednesday (May 28).
Pereira, the defending champion in the event as well as the 200m, clocked a time of 11.41s to finish behind China's Liang Xiaojing, who had a time of 11.37s. Vietnam's Tran Thi Nhi Yen took bronze with a time of 11.54s.
Despite a somewhat slower start, the Singaporean showed her mettle as she powered through in the final stretch to cross just behind Liang.
Pereira said that she was "extremely happy" with her showing.
"(I) didn’t get the start I wanted but I stuck to my race plan and came away with a silver that wasn’t too far away from gold. Couldn’t be happier!" said the sprinter.
"As always the Asian Championships brings tough competition, but I showed up as a medal contender and made sure I fought to the finish, which is exactly what I did, and earned ourselves yet another Asian podium! That’s amazing to say."
The 28-year-old had qualified for Wednesday's finals by finishing second overall in the heats behind Liang with a season's best time of 11.40s. Liang led the field with a time of 11.22s.
At the 2023 edition of the championships, Pereira clinched a historic sprint double.
In the 100m, she clocked a time of 11.20s to take gold and set a new national record, which still stands today. Iran's Farzaneh Fasihi took second place in Bangkok in 11.39s, and China's Ge Manqi rounded off the podium with a time of 11.40s.
Days later, the Singaporean obliterated the field in the 200m with a time of 22.70s – a meet record – with India's Jyothi Yarraji taking the silver in 23.13s and China's Li Yuting taking the bronze in 23.25s.
But after a splendid 2023, which also saw her win the 200m and take silver in the 100m at the Hangzhou Asian Games, Pereira endured a difficult 2024 after injury struck.
At the start of last year, she spent two months training in Florida. But a stress injury in her fibula would result in her missing her debut in the Diamond League competition in Xiamen and Shanghai, as well as two major meets in Japan, among other competitions.
It would also set her back on preparations for the Paris Olympics.
In her second Games campaign, Pereira did not make it past the 100m and 200m heats.
In the 200m, she clocked a time of 23.21s in the heats before timing 23.45s in the repechage heats. Her national record stands at 22.57s. In the 100m, she clocked 11.63s and finished 55th out of 72 athletes overall.
With the 100m done and dusted, Pereira will next compete in the 200m heats on Friday.
"Nothing but excitement over here for the 200 coming up," she added.
