NATIONAL powerlifting champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin dedicated the gold medal he won in the men’s 72kg event at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games (Para Asiad) today to his brother.

The 24-year-old strongman said the presence of his brother Bryan Junency Gustin, 26, who would compete in the 80kg event, gave him motivation to win his first gold at the Games.

Bonnie, standing at 132cm, from Serian, Sarawak, in his second Para Asiad appearance lifted a winning 230kg – a new Games record.

The previous record was held by Iranian powerlifter Roohallah Rostami with a 229kg lift.

“Bryan’s presence helped me in winning this gold medal. I hope this gold will inspire him to win a medal for his events later,” Bonnie told Bernama.

“I am very happy with today’s success because I also broke the Games record.”

The silver medal went to home challenger Hu Peng with a 208kg lift while the bronze was won by Uzbekistan’s Jamilov Bekzod with a 204kg lift.

Bonnie’s success today brought Malaysia’s gold medal tally to five, after one gold each from swimming and track cycling and two from athletics. – Bernama, October 25, 2023.