FOCUS ON 1 RACE AT A TIME

Pereira not altering her game plan after finishing 5th fastest overall in 100m heats

- Kimberly Kwek

Bangkok is a familiar place for Shanti Pereira, who has visited the city for holidays and competitions in the past.

Returning to the Thai capital "always feels comfortable" for Pereira and Singapore's sprint queen seemed at ease as she easily qualified for the women's 100m semi-finals of the Asian Athletics Championships after clocking 11.50 seconds in the heats on Thursday.

While she enjoys shopping and eating while on holiday in Bangkok, it is strictly business this time for Pereira, who topped the first of four heats and placed fifth overall among 25 runners.

After achieving a historic sprint double at the SEA Games by clinching the 100m and 200m titles, Pereira could stand a chance of winning a medal at the Asian championships.

"The last time I wasn't one of the top contenders, but this time I am. So it's a very different feeling coming into a championship knowing that I'm one of the top few," said the 26-year-old, who did not qualify for the final at the previous edition in 2019 after placing 11th in the semis.