Singapore's golden girl Shanti Pereira exclusive: Preparing for newfound public recognition
The Asian Games 200m gold medallist tells Olympics.com about managing her growing popularity in the city-state after her successful 2023 season concluded with success in Hangzhou.
Athletics
It's a busy evening for Singapore's sprint sensation Veronica Shanti Pereira in Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Two nights after her historic 200m gold medal at the 19th Asian Games, becoming Singapore's first sprint champion at the Asian Games, the 27-year-old is in the midst of a media whirlwind, with multiple interviews lined up, including with Olympics.com.
Understandably so, too – Pereira has had a remarkable season, winning five major gold medals (two at the Southeast Asian Games, two at the Asian Championships, and her triumph in Hangzhou) in addition to Asian Games silver in the 100m and becoming the only Asian to qualify for the 200m semi-finals at the World Championships.
When Olympics.com puts to the new golden girl of Singapore athletics that her achievements this year now put her in a realm alongside Singapore's two most well-known current sportspeople, swimmer Joseph Schooling – a Rio 2016 Olympic champion – and the 2021 badminton world champion Loh Kean Yew, she pauses.
"First of all, that's a huge honour to be tagged with those two, they are Olympic and world champions. That's a huge honour and truly amazing."
With many Singaporeans familiar with Schooling and Loh's stories and profiles by now, what should they know about Shanti?
"That's a tough question," she says, before stopping to consider her answer. "What I want people to know about me? I don't know, man. I think I've been through a lot in my career but simply… I'm not done yet."
Another thing about Shanti is her relationship with social media. While many athletes swear off social media during big events and meets, not wanting distractions or to read negative messages, Pereira takes a different view of it.
"I enjoy social media, I like using it… my TikTok algorithm is nothing about track! For me, it's a way of relaxing, in a way.
"The things I like to watch are organising videos, packing videos, makeup, beauty, fashion; that kind of relaxes me. I find ways to make social media positive for myself."
Shanti Pereira's hero's welcome in Singapore
When it's suggested to Pereira that the newfound recognition and attention is something she has to get used to, she laughs. Would she receive a big hero's welcome when she returned to Singapore's Changi Airport?
"I've been told to prepare, so I guess that says it all! I'm not sure about public-wise, I honestly have no clue."
In truth, it seemed inconceivable that she wouldn't be met with one. Even the country's prime minister and president each sent congratulatory messages. As it turned out, a crowd of some 70 people had gotten wind of which flight she would be on, and her arrival was met with screams and cheers from her fans as well as the glare of media cameras.
Something that Shanti accurately predicts when answering the question.
"I know obviously there's going to be news people there and some interviews I have to do." That seems like something she is getting the hang of by now.
Shanti now enters the Olympic year having already obtained the necessary qualifying time standard. She will no doubt be one to watch in 2024 – and gain even more recognition along the way.
Stay tuned to Olympics.com for more from our interview with Shanti Pereira.