YANG di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah today congratulated national Paralympic powerlifting athlete Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, who won Malaysia’s first gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

In a post uploaded on Istana Negara’s Facebook page, the king and queen also expressed their joy and pride over the Sarawak-born para-athlete’s feat that has made the nation proud.

“Bonnie’s achievement is very meaningful for the Malaysian contingent and an inspiration to fellow athletes in their hunt for more medals in the biggest Paralympic sporting event,” the statement read.

According to the royal couple, Bonnie’s outstanding achievement has once again proved that Malaysia is capable of producing athletes and individuals of quality, calibre and international standard.

It also shows that with commitment, high fighting spirit and hard work, the people can compete and succeed at the international level, said the statement.

The royal couple expressed hope that Bonnie’s success and fighting spirit will also be a source of inspiration to all Malaysians, especially para-athletes, to work hard and strive for success in their respective fields. 

“Their Majesties wish Bonnie all the best and pray that he will achieve continued success and, once again, make history and a name for himself in upcoming competitions,” said the statement.

Bonnie, 22, grabbed the gold medal by lifting 228kg, defeating Egyptian athlete Mahmoud Attia (191kg) and British athlete Micky Yule (182kg) in the men’s 72kg powerlifting event.

More remarkably, he also broke the Paralympic Games record of 227kg held by Iraqi Rasool Mohsin, set in Rio 2016, by lifting 228kg in his third attempt on the first day of the event today. – Bernama, August 28, 2021.