NAYPYIDAW — Mok Ying Ren got the ball rolling for Singapore’s track and field squad at the Myanmar SEA Games by winning the Republic’s first-ever gold medal in the men’s marathon. Then Dipna Lim-Prasad took over by becoming the first Singapore female sprinter since 1979 to win an individual medal with her bronze in the 400m hurdles.

Teenager Shanti Pereira had looked set to keep the historic medals rolling in for Team Singapore yesterday, after her blistering 24.12sec run in the women’s 200m heats that saw her slicing 0.24s off Lim-Prasad’s national 200m record of 24.36s.

The time — which is also a new national under-23 and junior record — saw her entering the afternoon’s final as the second-fastest qualifier behind Vietnamese sprint queen Vu Thi Huong, who had clocked 23.99s in the heats.

But it turned into a case of deja vu for the young sprinter at the Wunna Theikdi stadium yesterday, as she clocked 24.16s to finish fourth for the second time in two days, after doing the same in the 100m final on Tuesday.

Yesterday, a slow start saw the 17-year-old Shanti chasing down her older rivals from the get-go. But Vu, Neeranuch Klomdee (Thailand), and Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Oanh proved too fast for the Singaporean, who missed out on a podium spot after finishing just 0.03s behind bronze medallist Nguyen (24.13s).

Five-time gold medal winner Vu, 27, finished first in 23.55s to claim her third golden brace (100m, 200m) of the SEA Games after triumphs in 2007 and 2009, while Klomdee finished second in 24.02s.

But despite missing out on a medal again, Shanti was in a noticeably happier mood yesterday.

“I’m not really disappointed as I ran all out this morning, and I broke the national record,” she said. “It’s my first SEA Games and I’m still young compared to everyone else.

“I knew people were thinking about it (a medal) because I finished second in the qualifiers and I thought maybe I could get a medal. But I didn’t pressure myself much and just went for it.”

The Republic Polytechnic student will now join team-mates Lim-Prasad, T Piriyah, and Wendy Enn in their bid for medal glory in the women’s 4x400m relay today.

The quartet will also be aiming to better the 39-year-old national record of 3min 43.85sec set by Glory Barnabas, Maimoon Azlan, Lee Tai Jong and Chee Swee Lee at the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran.

Currently ranked third this season with a time of 3:47.82s, the Singaporeans will face tough challenges from Vietnam and Thailand, who are ranked first and second this year with respective times of 3:44.49s and 3:47.54s.

Added Shanti, who also holds the national 100m record of 11.89s: “We don’t really know our chances yet as surprises do happen. But of course, we are hoping to get a medal. Vietnam will be strong tomorrow, they are crazy!”

Yesterday’s athletics action saw Thai speedster Jirapong Meenapra claiming a coveted treble in the men’s 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at the SEA Games to spark off celebrations among the Thai supporters.

Flashing a cheeky smile ahead of the 200m final yesterday, the 20-year-old powered his way to the finish line to claim gold in 21.29s, ahead of Malaysia’s Harith Ammar Mohd Sobri (21.46s) and Trong Hinh Le of Vietnam (21.47s).

Swamped by Thai media and supporters eager for photos with the newly-crowned triple champion, Jirapong even entertained spectators with an impromptu dance at track side yesterday. Having already clinched three gold medals in Myanmar, the University of Bangkok student — who won a bronze with the men’s 4x100m team at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games — has set his sights on a bigger goal.

“I want to win the relay at the Asian Games next year. And I want to finish in the top three in the 100m event,” he said.

Thailand last won the men’s 4x100m relay at the 2006 Asiad.

The final day of athletics at the SEA Games today will see women’s shot put gold and silver medallists Zhang Guirong and Du Xianhui gunning for medals in the discus throw.

The men’s and women’s 4x400m relay teams will also be in action at 4pm and 4.30pm, Myanmar time.