By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Aug 29: Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan believes every aspiring athlete should emulate Sarawakian Paralympic champion, Bonnie Bunyau Gustin who won the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in the below 72 kg category powerlifting event yesterday.
Snowdan said Bonnie has set a high standard by breaking the Games’ record and should be the sports idol that every athlete should follow in order to achieve success in the international arena.
“Bonnie has shown us sports is a career for everyone and is dictated by competency and excellence.
“Bonnie is our shining example, our sports idol which every aspiring athlete should emulate,” he said in a statement.
Bonnie created history yesterday by becoming the first Malaysian athlete to win the gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 in the below 72 kg category powerlifting event.
He broke the Games’ record with a 228 kg lift beating his closest rival, Mahmoud Attia from Egypt (191 kg) and Micky Yule from the United Kingdom (182 kg).
Snowdan congratulated Bonnie for winning the gold medal for Sarawak adding that it was also a great and prestigious achievement for Malaysia in the international scene.
He noted Bonnie has set the bar high by breaking the Games’ record with a 228 kg lift, erasing the previous record of 227 kg won by Mohsin Rasool from Iraq in the 2016 Rio Paralympic.
“We are proud of you. Thank you for your commitment, perseverance and the will to win,” he added.
Snowdan said every Sarawakian should be proud of his achievement. — DayakDaily
