Shanti Pereira On The Power Of Her Family's Support & Sacrifices

National sprinter Shanti Pereira, winner of Her World Young Woman Achiever 2024, has emerged as a symbol of resilience and triumph in Singapore’s sporting scene. Despite a stress injury cutting short her recent Olympic run, she remains focused on her future, already setting her sights on the next Olympics. Shanti’s determination and belief in herself serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of hard work and tenacity.

Play

Sprinter Shanti Pereira, 28, is done processing the disappointment of the recent Olympics, where a stress injury in her fibula cut short her run. Instead, she is allowing herself time to reflect on the huge honour of representing her country on the big stage and setting her next goal at the next Olympics in Los Angeles. Her clarity is evident in the way she conducts herself on set, where she’s manoeuvring around the interview questions with ease. She’s more comfortable in her skin, and she’s prouder to depict her accomplishments and owning who she is. 

“It was a huge privilege to represent my country on the world’s biggest stage,” Shanti shares. “The Olympics were an unforgettable experience, and I’m incredibly proud of the effort I put in to reach that point.”

Among the most significant moments of Shanti’s Olympic journey was being selected as a flag bearer for Singapore. “The experience was surreal, and I felt a deep sense of pride representing my nation alongside [national sailor] Ryan Lo,” she recalls.

By now, most Singaporeans would have known the origin story of Singapore’s fastest woman. Shanti was first drawn to track and field at nine years old, having watched her older sister, Valerie, compete in youth and junior races. Her enjoyment of the sports was evident and Shanti decided to attend the Singapore Sports School to further her secondary and post-secondary education.

At school, Shanti started to shine by setting records at the National School Games. She garnered more attention when she won the 4 x 400m race at the Thailand Sports School Games in 2009. 

She then continued to smash national records, including her first gold win in the women’s 200m category at the 2015 SEA Games. Her winning stride continued when she clinched the top spot at the 2021 SEA Games and became the first Singaporean woman to win the sprint double at the 2023 SEA Games.

We learn a lot of things. We know what our bodies can and can’t handle, and it tests our mental resilience as well. With all the hardships, we also can look at the positives.

Shanti Pereira

The comeback

Athletes often face the demanding task of balancing rigorous training schedules with the responsibilities of daily life. In addition to the pressure of winning a medal, Shanti also faced negative criticism, including being called ‘a has-been,’ when she was battling an identity crisis in 2021. She truly believed that her sporting career would come to an end.

She shares: “I was definitely affected by all of that for quite a long period. But then I just came to the realisation of ‘Why am I even caring about all these things that I have absolutely no control over?’” 

“I had help from both my coach and psychologist and learned there are many things that are not within my control. And so what I can focus on are just things that I actually can control, which are a lot of my own beliefs, routine and stuff like that. I think that’s where I put all of my energy in and suddenly, I felt I was free from all of the pressure, the labels and whatever that was happening at that point in time – I was just doing it for myself.”

Shanti also leaned on her support system to overcome that bleakness. “The people around me made me realise my potential, and pulled me out of that hole I was in. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for my family and friends. In times of darkness, you tend to forget certain things about yourself, but the people closest to you are there to constantly remind you of what you’re capable of. That’s how I came out of it.”

2023 marked a significant comeback for Shanti, as she navigated the challenges of a demanding season. Shanti’s dedication to her sport led her to juggle a demanding schedule, working as a writer for a local media agency during the day and training in the evenings and on Saturdays.

“It was a constant juggling act. Some of the challenges I faced in 2023 were probably just to sustain throughout the entire season because it was so long and there were so many major competitions to prepare for,” she admits. “I had to listen to my body and make adjustments as needed.” 

Shanti was experiencing knee pain, which was ultimately traced back to an imbalance in her right hip. This imbalance affected her stride, and continued training exacerbated the tension in her body, leading to further instability. Shanti’s issue was resolved after she underwent intense stretching sessions and she found her stride. 

Fast-forward to 2024, Shanti was undergoing two months of training in Florida when a nagging pain in her right calf threw her off balance. Scans showed a stress injury to her fibula.

“This year was going to be a really exciting year for both me and my coach, but unfortunately, we had to go through that whole injury period. And honestly, during that time, it looked kind of bleak; I wasn’t sure what the rest of the year was going to look like. It was quite heartbreaking because I qualified for the Olympics, and I’ve done that before, but now I might not even be able to be there,” she shares.

Her coach, Luis Cunha, played a crucial role in guiding Shanti through this period. Luis’ emphasis on holistic training, which included both physical and mental recovery, helped Shanti stay on track and avoid injuries. 

“My coach and I just tried to make full use of the little time that we had. We still want to be at the Olympics and that was the number one goal. So that’s what we did. The fact that I was there and I could compete pain-free, it’s a big win on its own already.”

Coach Luis changed and reorganised her training plans and returning to Singapore, Shanti spent most of her time rehabilitating her body before the Olympics. Amazingly, she made history by becoming the first Singaporean woman to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. She broke her national 200 metre record with a qualifying record of 22.57 seconds.

“He’s definitely the reason why I’ve seen so much success, especially in his training plans. It’s his whole philosophy behind track and field. To him, being an athlete is a 24/7 thing, but this doesn’t mean that I’m on for like, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” she shares. 

Sadly, Shanti’s Olympic dream came crashing down when she missed out the target of reaching the semi-finals, with a disappointing 23.45 seconds in the repechage.

In those last few moments, a sense of weariness took over Shanti as she reflected in this interview. “It’s sad and heartbreaking, but it is normal. All athletes have to go through this at some point in their journeys, but it does make us stronger. We learn a lot of things. We know what our bodies can and can’t handle, and it tests our mental resilience as well. With all the hardships, we also can look at the positives. So right now I can say I am completely pain-free, and everything’s fine. I can restart fresh and aim towards more, better things happening in the next few years.”

I was definitely affected by all of that for quite a long period. But then I just came to the realisation of ‘Why am I even caring about all these things that I have absolutely no control over?'

Shanti Pereira

The power of support

Shanti’s journey has been fueled by the unwavering support of her family and friends. Their encouragement and belief in her abilities have also been instrumental in her success. Even after the disappointment of losing her 200m title at the 2017 SEA Games, the Pereira family continued to rally around Shanti: “My family has always been there for me,” she says. “Their support has been invaluable, especially during the demanding overseas competitions.”

During her university days, Shanti recalls the sacrifices her father, Clarence Pereira, made to support her athletic career, including providing her with the sole use of the family car. “We only have one car. And he would ask me to take the car because I didn’t need to be tired after training as the transport back is always very tiring, especially with all my things.”

Shanti also values the strong sibling relationship she has with her older sisters, Shobi and Valerie, and her brother, Anand. She understands they all have unique lives but remains committed to supporting one another. Shanti’s sisters, Valerie and Shobi, have been instrumental in her athletic journey. Valerie, a former national sprinter, and Shobi, an early childhood educator, have provided unwavering support and encouragement. A testament to her family’s support is the children’s book they wrote about Shanti’s journey as a national sprinter, culminating in her SEA Games victory.

“My sisters know me inside and out. They know when something is wrong without me having to say anything, so I find comfort knowing they are always there for me no matter what. More often than not, when I hug my family after a race, no words are said. It’s a mutual understanding of how hard I have worked and seeing the fruits of my labour in this journey that’s both mine and theirs,” Shanti shares.

Her partner, Tan Zong Yang, a 30-year-old former national sprinter who's now a lawyer, has also been a constant source of support. The couple first started dating in 2021 after four years of friendship. Like his fiancee, Zong Yang had enjoyed success as a sprinter. He won bronze in the 400 metre race in the Hanoi SEA Games in 2022, clinching Singapore’s first medal in 47 years. 

Earlier this year, Zong Yang popped the question to Shanti in Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm, Sweden, much to her surprise: “I did not expect it at all. (The proposal) was very quiet… Everyone was on it, even my coach and some friends who helped as well. It was an amazing moment.”

When asked when her wedding day would be, Shanti confirms wedding preparations have been underway, but the wedding day won’t be next year due to competition prep: “Maybe in two years!”

While Shanti’s athletic career demands significant dedication and commitment, she also strives to maintain a balanced life. Now that it’s off-season, she is giving herself a break to spend time with friends and family, exploring new hobbies, and indulging in her favourite food, like coffee with butter toasts.

More often than not, when I hug my family after a race, no words are said. It’s a mutual understanding of how hard I have worked and seeing the fruits of my labour in this journey that’s both mine and theirs.

Shanti Pereira

The future

As Shanti continues her athletic journey, she is also eager to inspire the next generation of athletes. She hopes to share her experiences and lessons learned to encourage young people to pursue their dreams. “I’m very fortunate to have been given opportunities to talk about my journey. My journey isn’t over yet (laughs).” 

Shanti has been sharing her wisdom through school talks and events. “I keep it pretty real by sharing my story and the lessons I’ve learnt which have made me the person I am today. I see how my story rubs off on people, so I want to continue doing that for as long as I can.”

When asked about their messages for Shanti, students of Singapore Sports School expressed their inspiration for her dedication and their empathy for the challenges she encountered, such as negative thoughts.

One student shares: “It shows the younger athletes that our results won’t come overnight and that it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to achieve our dreams. We just need to keep working hard, and ultimately, one day, we will get to where we want.”

“I want to say that we’re all very proud of you and that you’re a very big inspiration to all of us, especially for up-and-coming girl athletes in Singapore. It’s a big inspiration to see such a great role model for all of us. Keep it up and thank you, Shanti,” adds another young student.

For parents of aspiring athletes who are navigating similar journeys, Shanti’s advice is to listen to them and trust them. “Listen to what they want to do. That’s what my parents did for me and they understood what I wanted. Help them navigate through these tough times and they will turn out okay,” Shanti beams. “They will be okay.”

PHOTOGRAPHY Shawn Paul TanART DIRECTION Ray TicsaySTYLING CK KooHAIR Lydia Thong, using Keune Hair CosmeticsMAKEUP Dollei Seah, using Cle De Peau BeauteLOCATION Singapore Sports SchoolCOORDINATION Chelsia Tan

This article was originally published on Her World.