Bonnie’s new world and Paralympic records lift Malaysia out of doldrums for nation’s gold No. 2

PARIS: Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, Sarawak’s national powerlifting champion, stamped his mark as the world No. 1 in the men’s up to 72-kg category by defending his gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics yesterday.

Bonnie, 25, who hails from Serian, retained his title and 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.

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

He secured his gold with an initial lift of 221kg, comfortably defeating Italy’s Donato Telesca, who lifted 209kg in his first attempt.

Bonie made his second attempt with ease, lifting 226kg and finished with a final lift of 232kg to seal his victory.

China’s Hu Peng took the silver with a final lift of 214kg, while Telesca had to be contented with the bronze with a 213kg lift.

Last 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. 

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 metres T44 (physical disability) contributed two more medals.

A screen grab of Bonnie celebrating his gold medal win.

Bonnie cements his status as the world’s best powerlifter in his category.