SEA Games 2025 – Shanti Pereira does her best to take gold in Bangkok
After Pereira’s self-confessed slow start, there was little between the leaders in the first 40 metres, although there was certainly no loss of confidence.
She explained: “That’s just one of the weak points of my race, but like I said, I trusted the recovery and I made sure not to panic and ran with everything I had all the way to the finish.”
A two-time Olympian at Tokyo 2020 (in 2021) and Paris 2024, Pereira’s experience and composure proved crucial in the final stretch of her title defense. With a persistent burst of power, the sprinter found her stride in time to take gold by 0.18 seconds.
“The SEA Games are always special for me,” said Pereira. “No matter where I am in my life, coming here and competing is always special and means a lot, so I’m glad I got to do it again, my 7th time, and defend my title. I’m just really happy and really looking forward to the 200 meters now.”
“The plan was always executed and, regardless of the outcome, go back, reset and get ready for the 200 meters. So win or lose, it’s always the same and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Pereira, 29, will turn her focus over two days (Saturday, December 11) to the women’s 200m, an event in which she has been twice crowned SEA Games champion.
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