S’wak powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau dedicates Paris Paralympic gold medal to dad’s sacrifice, support

KUCHING (Sept 14): Paris Paralympics powerlifting champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin is dedicating his gold medal to his father Gustin Jenang.

The 25-year-old Bidayuh from Kampung Baru Mawang, Serian said his father, a former para powerlifter for Sarawak, had worked very hard to get him to the level he is at now.

“Dad put in a lot of efforts, repeatedly sent me from Serian to the Samarahan Rehabilitation Centre (PPS) to undergo training until there was a time when he had to miss work.

“For me, this is a reward for his kindness and I dedicate this gold medal to my family who always supported me and know my hardships,” he told reporters after his hero’s welcome at the Kuching International Airport (KIA) from Kuala Lumpur today.

On his future plans, Bonnie said he will be focusing on the World Para Powerlifting Championships in Egypt next year and the Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028.

“I am aiming to go to the Los Angeles Paralympics and I do hope that there will be other Malaysian athletes who stand out at the international level besides me, and also I would like to see new athletes there,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gustin, who was also present to welcome back Bonnie, said he was proud and grateful for his son’s success in bringing back the Paris Paralympics gold medal.

“As a father, of course I am proud and grateful and I hope that after this he will be more successful in the sport.

“Bonnie is now 25 years old and still has chances to compete in more Paralympics, but I will not force him to continue or retire.

“This is because as a father and also a former athlete, we understand how it feels, the hardships and difficulties that he had gone through to reach this level,” he said.

Sharing a bit of his son’s personality, Gustin said Bonnie lives a normal life just like any other youths despite his shortcomings.

He said when Bonnie was 13 years old, he often took him and his brother Brian along to his training at Dewan Suarah Kuching and PPS Samarahan.

“From there, Bonnie showed interest and tried powerlifting, and at the age of 13 he started to be actively involved,” said Gustin.

Adding on, he said he also brought Bonnie to Kuching or Samarahan to train three or four times a week.

“The sacrifice was worth it when Bonnie succeeded in making the country famous in para powerlifting,” he said.