Sprint queen Shanti Pereira takes 100m silver to end Singapore's 49-year wait for Asian Games athletics medal

01.10.2023 - 09:05 channelnewsasia.com

HANGZHOU, China: Shanti Pereira ended Singapore’s near 50-year wait for a track and field medal in the Asian Games, after she clinched a silver in the women’s 100m on Saturday (Sep 30).At the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, Pereira clocked 11.27s to take silver.

The Singaporean’s personal best time stands at 11.20s. China's Ge Manqi took the gold in 11.23s, while Bahraini Hajar Saad Saeed Saad Alkhadi finished third (11.35s) for the bronze medal.The last Singaporean to win an athletics gold was Chee Swee Lee (women's 400m) in 1974.

Singapore’s last Asiad medal in track and field also came that year.Pereira was up against fierce competition in the final, with China’s Wei Yongli (10.99s) and Ge (11.04s) as well as Bahrain’s Ofonime Odiong (11.05s) and Saeed Alkhaldi (11.17s) all possessing quicker personal bests.This is Pereira’s first Games finals in the 100m.

In 2018, she did not advance out of the heats.In Friday’s heats, Pereira finished sixth overall. She clocked a time of 11.42s in the second heat which was won by Bahrain's Saeed Alkhaldi (11.34s).

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Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday announced a cash award of Rs 1.5 crore for javelin thrower Kishore Kumar Jena from the state who has bagged a silver at the ongoing Asian Games 2023 in China's Hangzhou. With a personal best of 87.54 m, Kishore has also qualified for Paris Olympics, 2024. "The award is in recognition of his stellar performance, his perseverance and determination. I congratulate him on his win at the Asian Games and also qualifying for the Paris Olympics. Kishore's triumph not only reflects personal excellence but also serves as an inspiration for budding athletes across the country," Patnaik said in a statement.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Announces Rs 1.5 Crore Award For Asian Games 2023 Javelin Star Kishore Jena