Bonnie lifts Malaysia to second gold, setting new world record

Malaysia’s powerlifting champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin cemented his status as the world’s best in the men’s up to 72kg category by successfully defending his gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics today.

Bonnie, who claimed Malaysia’s second gold at Paris 2024, not only retained his title but also broke his own world record of 231kg set at the 2023 World Para Powerlifting Championships in Dubai with a new record of 232kg on his final attempt at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena.

The 232kg lift also set a new Paralympic Games record for Bonnie, surpassing his previous mark of 228kg set at Tokyo 2020.

Bonnie’s dominance was evident early on as he secured his gold with an initial lift of 221kg, comfortably outstripping his nearest competitor, Italy’s Donato Telesca, who lifted 209kg in his first attempt.

The 25-year-old, who has dwarfism, made his second attempt with ease, lifting 226kg and finished with a final lift of 232kg to seal his victory.

Hu Peng from China claimed silver with a final lift of 214kg, while Telesca settled for bronze with a 213kg lift in his second attempt.

On Monday, Cheah Liek Hou clinched the country’s first gold in badminton by defeating Indonesia’s Suryo Nugroho 21-13, 21-15 in the men’s SU5 singles (physical impairment) category.

Two more medals came from Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli, who won silver in the men’s shot put F20 (intellectual disability), and Eddy Bernard, who earned bronze in the men’s 100 meters T44 (physical disability).

The Paris 2024 Paralympics, which began on Aug 28, will conclude on Sunday.

Bonnie’s feat was all the more amazing as he was suffering from severe shoulder pain from an injury sustained in training last week, which led to significant swelling.

“The first lift was painful and it only worsened with each attempt. I’ve never experienced such pain before; it used to be just my back shoulder,” he told Bernama after the medal ceremony.

He attributed the injury to insufficient warm-up before his Paris 2024 training sessions.

Due to the discomfort, Bonnie admitted he was anxious about his performance at his second Paralympics, following Tokyo 2020.

“I was really afraid I wouldn’t be able to perform at Paris 2024 but I tried to calm myself two to three days before the competition to ensure I was mentally prepared and motivated to do my best,” he said.

On his strategy for today’s competition, the Sarawak-born athlete said he and his coaching team aimed to secure the gold medal early in the first two attempts and then break the world record on the final attempt.

Bonnie also dedicated his victory to his family, coaches, the Youth and Sports Ministry, the National Sports Council, the National Sports Institute and the Malaysian Paralympic Council for their unwavering support.

He now plans to use the RM1 million reward from the Sports Victory Prize Scheme to support his family in Sarawak.

- Bernama

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