Singapore’s long-standing wait for an Asian Games track and field medal has finally come to an end, thanks to the remarkable performance of Shanti Pereira in the women’s 100m race.
Historic Achievement
On Saturday, September 30th, at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, Pereira sprinted her way to a silver medal, clocking in at 11.27s. This achievement marks the end of a 49-year medal drought for Singapore in Asian Games athletics. The last time Singapore celebrated such a feat was when Chee Swee Lee secured gold in the women’s 400m back in 1974.
Tight Competition
Pereira faced stiff competition in the final. China’s Ge Nangi clinched gold with a time of 11.23s, while Bahrain’s Hajar Saad Saeed Saad Alkhaldi took bronze, finishing the race in 11.35s. Notably, several competitors in the final boasted faster personal bests than Pereira, including China’s Wei Yongli and Ge, as well as Bahrain’s Ofonime Odiong and Saeed Alkhaldi.
Journey to the Fina
This silver medal is even more commendable considering it’s Pereira’s debut in the Asian Games 100m finals. In the 2018 Games, she couldn’t progress beyond the heats. However, this year, after finishing sixth overall in the heats with a time of 11.42s, she secured her spot in the finals by clocking the fastest time outside of the six automatic qualifiers.
A Year of Fast Timings
Pereira’s performance in 2023 has been nothing short of spectacular. Before the Games, she held the record for the fastest 100m time by an Asian woman for the year, with a personal best of 11.20s. However, this was surpassed by China’s Ge, who clocked 11.17s in the heats.
In conclusion, Shanti Pereira’s silver medal not only ends Singapore’s long wait for an Asian Games track and field medal but also serves as a testament to her dedication, hard work, and the bright future of Singaporean athletics.
Also learn about Teong Tzen Wei Secures Silver in 50m Butterfly at 2023 Asian Games.
