Shanti Pereira's Journey at the World Athletics Championships

In a bittersweet turn of events, Singapore's sprinting sensation, Shanti Pereira, faced a disappointing exit from the women’s 200m at the World Athletics Championships held at the iconic Japan National Stadium in Tokyo on September 17. Pereira finished fourth in her heat with a time of 23.13 seconds, landing her 30th overall and missing out on a coveted spot in the semi-finals.

The Race and Its Challenges

Despite her strong performance, Pereira fell short of the top three needed to advance, with the fastest time in her heat going to the USA's Anavia Battle, who clocked an impressive 22.07 seconds. Pereira’s effort, while commendable, wasn’t enough to secure her progression this time.

Reflecting on the Experience

After the race, a disappointed yet resilient Pereira expressed her feelings, saying, "Definitely hoped to see a better time and classification today – it does sting not making the semi-finals this time round. But overall, I'm happy with how I showed up and, most importantly, I'm healthy and had the honor of representing my country once again. That will always be special to me."

Looking Ahead: SEA Games and Future Aspirations

Pereira plans to take a well-deserved break before diving into preparations for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games, set to take place in Thailand from December 9 to December 20. This year, she has already made remarkable strides, being the reigning Asian Games gold medalist in the 200m and setting a national record of 22.57 seconds during her previous appearance at the Championships in Budapest.

Resilience and Record-Breaking Achievements

Pereira’s journey has not been without challenges. After battling injuries in 2024, she bounced back impressively by recording the third-fastest time in Asia earlier this year at 22.81 seconds. Her tenacity was further exemplified as she brought home two silvers from the Asian Championships in both the 100m and 200m events. Plus, she showcased teamwork and skill by joining forces with Elizabeth-Ann Tan, Shannon Tan, and Laavinia Jaiganth in the women's 4x100m relay, setting a new national record.

A Star Rising in the Sprinting World

Though Pereira won’t be advancing this time, her resilience and accomplishments continue to shine bright. As she focuses on future competitions and maintains her injury-free status, fans and supporters around the world eagerly anticipate her next chapter.