NAGOYA, JAPAN — Singapore sprint star Shanti Pereira has made Asian Games history, and few felt the significance of the moment more deeply than her parents, Clarence and Jeet Pereira.
On Sept. 27, Pereira successfully defended her women’s 200m Asian Games title, clocking 22.78 seconds to win gold in Nagoya. The victory made her the first woman in Asian Games history to win the 200m title twice.
For her parents watching from the stands, however, the historic result came after hours, days and even weeks of nervous anticipation.
From Anxiety to an Historic Celebration
As Pereira prepared for the 200m final, Clarence and Jeet admitted they were still feeling the familiar nerves that have accompanied their daughter’s races throughout her career.
When the starting gun finally sounded, the tension gave way to frantic cheering.
Just 22.78 seconds later, Pereira had crossed the finish line first.
The emotional release was immediate as her parents celebrated their daughter’s historic victory in the stands.
Clarence described himself as overwhelmed with pride, while Jeet said she was emotional and grateful after watching Pereira complete a difficult journey to another Asian Games title.
Pereira’s Parents Saw the Journey Behind the Medal
The gold medal represents much more than one successful race.
Pereira has experienced setbacks since winning her first Asian Games 200m title in 2023. A fibula stress injury disrupted her preparation for the Paris Olympics, where she did not progress beyond the heats in either the 100m or 200m.
Her parents remained part of her support system throughout those difficult periods.
Pereira has credited them with helping her develop resilience, particularly by reminding her that setbacks were part of her story and that what mattered was how she responded afterward.
That perspective became especially meaningful in Nagoya.
A Different Shanti Pereira Took the Track
Pereira entered the 2026 Asian Games carrying expectations as the defending 200m champion.
She had already taken silver in the 100m, finishing behind China’s Chen Yujie. Two days later, Pereira faced Chen again in the 200m final—and this time took the gold.
The victory marked a significant change from the athlete Pereira has described herself as earlier in her career.
She has said she once struggled with fear and pressure but has gradually learned to handle expectations differently.
Her parents noticed that evolution too, describing her as more mature and positive in how she approaches competition.
Family, Coach and Fiancé Share the Moment
Pereira was quick to acknowledge the people who helped her reach the historic milestone.
She thanked her parents, coach Luis Cunha and fiancé Tan Zong Yang, who has also trained with her.
Cunha has coached Pereira through much of her recent rise, while Tan, a former national 400m runner, has supported her training and preparation.
The athlete’s own words after the race captured the importance of that support: she said her parents were among the people who believed in her even when she struggled to believe in herself.
Singapore Gets Another Historic Moment
Pereira’s gold adds another chapter to an already historic Asian Games career.
Her 2023 200m victory ended Singapore’s 49-year wait for an Asian Games athletics medal, while her 2026 triumph now makes her the first woman to successfully win the event twice.
She now has four Asian Games medals, including 200m gold medals at both the Hangzhou and Aichi-Nagoya Games and 100m silver medals at each edition.
For Clarence and Jeet, the historic achievement also brings something they have rarely had during their daughter’s biggest races: a chance to finally relax.
After all the nervous watching, sleepless nights and emotional moments, their daughter had delivered another unforgettable performance.
And when Pereira eventually returns home, her mother already has a celebration planned—with some of her favorite dishes waiting.
The gold medal may belong to Shanti Pereira, but the emotional victory was shared by the family that stood behind her every step of the way.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
