The long-awaited good news after four days of the Tokyo Paralympic Games came when the national paralympic athlete, Bonnie Bunyau Gustin won Malaysia’s first gold medal.
The country’s gold prospect snatched a victory in the powerlifting event for the 72 kilograms (kg) category.
Bonnie recorded the best lift at 228kg, thus breaking the previous record held by Iraqi athlete, Rasool Mohsin at 227kg from the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics.
The silver medal went to Egyptian athlete Mahmoud Attia with a lift of 191kg while bronze was won by Micky Yule from Great Britain at 182kg.
Bonnie was in the lead since his first lift with a record of 217, 225, 228 before failing to break the world record in his fourth attempt when lifting 231kg.
The 22-year-old previously won gold at the 11th Fazza Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai in the men’s senior over 72kg category.
Bonnie’s victory is a source of pride for all Malaysians.
Rosli Mansor
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