SEA Games: Shanti ups the ante

She crossed the finish line at the Kallang Practice Track in first place, but Shanti Pereira showed hardly any joy.

No one was surprised she won the 200m event at the Singapore Athletic Association (SAA) Track and Field Series 1 last Saturday, but her time of 24.97sec would have raised many eyebrows.

It was almost a second slower than her national record of 23.99, set at the Asian Junior Championships in Taiwan last June - but even with less than five months before this year's South-east Asia (SEA) Games on home soil, Singapore's big hope in women's sprinting is not about to panic.

Speaking to The New Paper after her race, Shanti revealed that her timings over the past month - in training and competition - have been slow.

"It has been 12-something in the 100m, and 24-something in the 200m," the 18-year-old said, with a wry smile.

LONG SEASON

"Last season was a long one for me. I had many competitions between June and October. It's like I peaked and then slowly went down.

"But my coach told me not to worry and I agree with her. I will get better in the next few races; I'm confident I'll hit my mark."

Singapore will host the SEA Games for the first time since 1993 and, with the new National Stadium set to be the centrepiece of the region's most prestigious multi-sport event, the buzz is slowly building, especially for the most glamorous races - the sprints.

The men believe they can challenge for medals in the blue-riband 100m, and Shanti carries the hopes for the women.

She finished fourth in the 100m and 200m in 2013 in Myanmar, which was her maiden Games, and the national record holder in the 100m (11.89, set in 2013), is widely expected to get on the podium in June.

If she wins her pet event, the 200m, she will become the first Singaporean to do so since Glory Barnabas in 1973.

Shanti's coach Margaret Oh expects her to be in top form in five months' time.

"I expected it actually," she said, referring to last Saturday's slow time.

"It's still early and I've just started loading her (with weight training). Also, the venue is very windy; runners don't always get great times.

"But the aim is to have her peak in June, not now.

"She should beat her personal best (time) by June. She won't disappoint."

Competitions are set to come thick and fast for the Republic Polytechnic student, who won the 100m of the SAA Series yesterday in 12.09sec.

BUILD-UP

She will race in the national juniors next month, the Singapore Open and Philippines Open in March, and the Taiwan Open in April, with the SEA Games from June 5 to 16.

In the meantime, she is powering up in the weight room.

"My coach wants me to get stronger, said the 1.68m-tall sprinter, who can lift 75kg on the full squats.

"Of course, it's important not to get too bulky, but my rivals will be strengthening themselves for June, as well."

Shanti was the only Singaporean to race in the women's 100m and 200m at the Myanmar Games.

She clocked 11.99 in the 100m - 0.08 away from third-placed Tassaporn Wannakit of Thailand.

Shanti has identified Vietnam's Thi Huong Vu and Thailand's Neeranuch Klomdee as her main rivals in the 200m.

They finished 1-2 respectively in both the 100m and 200m two years ago.

Huong Vu, who is 10 years older than Shanti, won in 11.59sec (100m) and 23.55 (200m), while Neeranuch clocked 11.85 and 24.02, respectively.

"The Vietnamese woman is really good," said Shanti.

"Can I beat her? Well, I'm training towards that.

"The last SEA Games was my first one, and I was happy with how I did.

"This time around, I'm aware of the expectations for me to win a medal.

"There is pressure, but I try not to let it get to me."

In dealing with the pressure, Shanti has big sister, Valerie - a former national sprinter who competed in the 2007 and 2011 SEA Games - to turn to.

"She's my mentor; I tell her everything that happens in my running life," said the teenager.

"She can relate to the stuff I'm going through, and sometimes she even also scolds me about stuff like not eating properly.

"If I didn't have her, things would be much harder."

aakasim@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Jan 26, 2015.
Get The New Paper for more stories.