Show of power as Bonnie shatters world record to win Paralympics gold

PETALING JAYA: World record holder, three-time world champion and now a two-time Paralympics gold medal winner.

Powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin oozed class as he smashed his own world record in the men’s 72kg category en route to giving Malaysia their second Paralympics gold medal for Malaysia at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena in Paris today (Sept 6).

The 25-year-old from Sarawak stamped his mark on the bench from the start.

Bonnie was the last to come out and lifted three times his body weight with an opening effort of 221kg.

Bonnie further separated himself from the rest of the field by heaving 226kg with his second successful attempt.

With the gold assured, Bonnie raised the weight to 232kg and successfully cleared the challenge for a new world record mark and his second Paralympics title.

He had held the previous world record mark of 231kg which he had set at the world championships last year.

Bonnie thus joins shuttler Cheah Liek Hou as Malaysia’s Paralympics champion in Paris.

Liek Hou played his way to the men’s SU5 singles gold medal at the same venue last Sunday.

China’s Hu Peng took silver with 214kg while Donato Telesca of Italy, who cleared 213kg, took bronze.