Veronica Shanti Pereira is a distinguished Singaporean track and field athlete renowned for her exceptional prowess in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 4×100 meters, and 4×400 meters events. Over the years, she has etched her name in the annals of Singaporean athletics by setting multiple national records, including the 100 meters (11.20 seconds), 200 meters (22.57 seconds), and 400 meters (53.67 seconds). Pereira is also the holder of the 200 meters SEA Games record (22.69 seconds) and the Asian Athletics Championships record (22.70 seconds). In 2023, she achieved remarkable recognition by ranking first in Asia for both the 100 meters and 200 meters according to World Athletics records.

Early Life and Education

Veronica’s journey into athletics began at the age of nine while attending CHIJ (Katong) Primary School, inspired by her elder sister’s participation in a school race. She further honed her skills at Singapore Sports School, leading her team to victory in the C Division team championship at the National School Games. Pursuing her passion, she enrolled in a diploma program in sports and leisure management offered jointly by Republic Polytechnic and Singapore Sports School. In 2017, she received the Yip Pin Xiu Scholarship to study accountancy at Singapore Management University but unfortunately lost the scholarship in 2018 due to academic challenges. Despite this setback, Pereira persevered and successfully graduated in 2021.

Personal Information of Veronica Shanti Pereira

• Full Name: Veronica Shanti Pereira
• Date of Birth: September 20, 1996
• Nationality: Singaporean
• Education:
  • Attended CHIJ (Katong) Primary School
  • Graduated from Singapore Sports School
  • Holds a diploma in sports and leisure management from Republic Polytechnic and Singapore Sports School
  • Graduated with a degree in accountancy from Singapore Management University in 2021

Athletic Profile

• Specialization: Track and field (100 m, 200 m, 4 x 100 m, 4 x 400 m)
• Notable Records:
  • 100 m: 11.20 seconds (National Record)
  • 200 m: 22.57 seconds (National Record)
  • 400 m: 53.67 seconds (National Record)

Background

• Inspiration: Inspired by her older sister’s participation in a school race
• Achievements: Multiple national records, SEA Games medals, and qualifications for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and 2023 World Athletics Championships

Athletic Career

Youth Achievements

Veronica’s early career was marked by numerous record-breaking performances. She set U-23 records for the 100 meters (11.80 seconds) and 200 meters (23.99 seconds), along with several relay records. Notably, she became the first female Singaporean to run the 100 meters in under 12 seconds at the 2013 World Youth Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine, and later broke the 200 meters barrier in under 24 seconds at the 2014 Asian Junior Athletics Championships.

SEA Games Success (2015-2022)

Pereira’s breakthrough at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) saw her win a bronze medal in the 100 meters and a gold medal in the 200 meters, where she set a new national record. She continued to shine at subsequent SEA Games, earning bronze in both events in 2017 and 2019. In 2021, she qualified for the 200 meters at the 2020 Summer Olympics, marking a significant milestone in her career.

Record-Breaking Year (2023)

The year 2023 proved to be a transformative period for Pereira. She broke her own national records multiple times, including an impressive 11.20 seconds in the 100 meters at the Asian Athletics Championships, making her the first Singaporean woman to achieve gold at the event and ending a 16-year medal drought for Singapore. Additionally, she successfully defended her 200 meters title at the SEA Games, setting a new record of 22.69 seconds.

World Athletics Championships and Asian Games (2023)

In a historic achievement, Pereira qualified for the 2023 World Athletics Championships on merit, where she competed in both the 100 meters and 200 meters, setting another national record of 22.57 seconds in the latter event. She also won silver in the 100 meters and gold in the 200 meters at the Asian Games, marking Singapore’s first medal in track and field at the Games in 49 years.

Future Aspirations

As she prepares for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Pereira aims to build on her success. Despite facing a stress injury in her fibula in April 2024, her resilience and determination have led her to be named a flag bearer for the Olympics. Veronica Shanti Pereira’s journey reflects not only her individual triumphs but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of athletes in Singapore.