Sport · Singapore Bureau
Pereira still battles nerves ahead of Asian Games sprint campaign
Singapore's star sprinter Shanti Pereira admits to persistent pre-competition anxiety despite more than a decade of racing experience. Ahead of the Asian Games, Pereira and coach Luis Cunha discuss the mental and technical elements that define elite sprinting.
LSN Singapore ·
After over 10 years competing at the highest levels of track and field, Shanti Pereira remains candid about the emotional toll of sprint racing. The Singapore speedster has established herself as one of the region's most accomplished athletes, yet continues to experience significant nervousness before major competitions.
Pereira's longevity in the sport speaks to her commitment to excellence, but the psychological dimension of sprinting remains a constant challenge. The 100-metre and 200-metre specialist works closely with coach Luis Cunha to manage the pressures inherent in a discipline where thousandths of a second separate triumph from disappointment.
The pair emphasise that success in sprinting demands precision across multiple dimensions—from explosive power off the blocks to the technical execution of the finish line dip. For Pereira, mastering both the physical and mental aspects has been essential to maintaining her competitive edge.
As the Asian Games approach, Pereira's experience combined with Cunha's expertise will be tested against the region's best competitors. Her willingness to acknowledge pre-race anxiety underscores a broader truth in elite athletics: that even accomplished athletes must continually manage the psychological pressures that accompany high-stakes competition.