Shanti Pereira Makes Asian Games History as Her Family Watches From the Stands

Nagoya, Japan — September 29, 2026

When Singapore sprinter Shanti Pereira crossed the finish line in the women’s 200 metres final at the 2026 Asian Games, her parents were waiting in the stands, watching their daughter make history.

Pereira won the race in 22.78 seconds on September 27, becoming the first woman in Asian Games history to win the 200-metre title twice. Her victory came three years after she claimed the same gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.

A Race Her Parents Could Barely Watch

Clarence and Jeet Pereira have followed their daughter’s running career since she was a child. But watching her compete still brings the same nerves, especially when the stakes are high.

At the Paloma Mizuho Stadium, her parents waved Singapore flags and cheered as the final began. Just 22.78 seconds later, they embraced after realizing their daughter had successfully defended her title.

Her mother Jeet later described the moment as deeply emotional, while her father Clarence said the family was overwhelmed with pride after seeing how hard Shanti had worked.

From Setbacks to Another Gold

Pereira’s journey to the final was not straightforward. After her breakthrough at the previous Asian Games, she suffered a stress injury to her right fibula in 2024, disrupting her preparations for the Paris Olympics.

She did not progress beyond the heats in either the 100m or 200m at those Olympics. Instead of allowing the setback to define her career, Pereira continued working with longtime coach Luis Cunha and gradually rebuilt her confidence.

Before the 2026 Asian Games final, she was already exhausted after several races and had struggled with sleep because of nerves. Yet she entered the final believing she could win.

“They Believed When I Didn’t”

After the race, Pereira credited her parents, coach and fiancé Tan Zong Yang for helping her through the difficult periods of her career.

She said her parents had repeatedly reminded her that setbacks were part of her story and that what mattered was how she responded to them.

Her fiancé, a former national 400m runner, also trains with her whenever possible. Pereira said his support has become an important part of her journey.

A Historic Second Gold

Pereira’s 22.78-second victory came ahead of China’s Chen Yujie, who finished second in 22.93 seconds, while India’s Harita Bhadra took bronze in 23.20 seconds.

For Pereira, however, the significance of the night went beyond another medal. After years of pressure, injury and disappointment, she had returned to the top of the Asian Games podium with the people who had supported her watching from the stands.

Sources

• CNA — ‘The ones that believed when I didn’t’: The people behind Shanti Pereira’s historic Asian Games triumph — September 27, 2026.
• The Straits Times — Fears, tears and now pride: Shanti Pereira’s parents celebrate her gold-medal success — September 27, 2026.
• Olympics.com — Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026: Shanti Pereira defends women’s 200m crown — September 28, 2026.