KUCHING, Aug 28: Sarawak Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has congratulated Sarawakian powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin for his record breaking achievement in the Tokyo Paralympic 2020.
Abdul Karim, in a statement today, said Bonnie has made all Malaysians and Sarawakians feeling proud and his achievement is also a very good Hari Kebangsaan 2021 present for all.
“He did it again and as our world class powerlifter, Bonnie has lived up to his top billing in the men’s 72kg competition which was held earlier today.
“My heartiest congratulations to our Para powerlifter, Bonnie Bunyau Gustin for having won Malaysia’s gold medal in this year’s Paralympic and setting a new games’ record as well,” he said.
He noted the 22-year-old is well known to be the man to beat and he had not only delivered the gold medal but also a new Paralympic record with a new lift of 228kg, which is the nation’s best achievement in powerlifting since 2008.
Abdul Karim said Bonnie had also tried to break his world record of 230kg set just two months ago in Dubai’s World Para Powerlifting Championship 2021 but missed out on the 231kg bonus attempt.
“We are indeed proud of Bonnie’s achievement because during the competition, he went on to lift 228kg (deadlift) to successfully break the Paralympics record by 1 kg previously held by Rasool Mohsin of Iran.
“Nevertheless, he once again defeated his close rival, China’s Hu Peng, who is also ranked second in the world behind Bonnie, and was expected to give the Malaysian team the strongest challenge, but it was Egyptian Mahmoud Attiar who bagged the silver instead with a lift of 191kg while the bronze went to Micky Yule of Britain who finished third with 182kg.
“Once again we congratulate Bonnie and I sincerely hope his achievement will be an inspiration for other Malaysian and Sarawakian athletes to achieve glory globally. Syabas Bonnie,” he added. — DayakDaily
