Singapore's sprint queen Shanti Pereira away from the track: ‘Life can be a bit of a roller coaster ride, I clear my head to calm myself’

This has been a memorable year for Shanti Pereira . The national sprinter’s decision last year to quit her job to focus on running paid off, undoubtedly. It wasn't just make the year she became a full-time professional athlete – 2023 is also the year she had the most wins and broke the most national records in her 10-year running career.

The 27-year-old clinched five gold medals – two at the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia , two at the Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok , Thailand, and her recent victory at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou , China.

Fresh out of Hangzhou, she’s taking a month-long break before she gears up for the race of her lifetime – the Paris Olympics in July 2024. 

CNA Women met with Pereira in October and asked her, among many questions: Who is Shanti Pereira outside the race track ? How does she engage in self-care? And how, as a medal-winning athlete , does she take it slow? 

DEALING WITH STRESS AND PRESSURE 

Singapore’s star athlete may have had an exceptional year, but her journey was not without obstacles.

Growing up as the youngest of four siblings, Pereira loved to run. In fact, her family of six are avid runners – we both laughed at how often she would have heard the pun “It really runs in the family”.

Sprinting meant a lot to her but she wasn’t sure if it was something she could pursue full-time.

“There was a time when I felt uncertain and inadequate,” Pereira said, as she reflected on her “slightly unconventional” education path. 

She spent a few years at Singapore Sports School, then studied for a diploma in sports and leisure management at Republic Polytechnic, and two years ago, got her degree in accountancy from Singapore Management University. 

After graduating in 2021, she