KUALA LUMPUR - National paralympic powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin is on the right track to give a medal-winning performance at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, scheduled from Aug 24 to Sept 5.
A member of the Malaysia paralympic contingent, Bonnie, the world record holder in the under 72kg, is expected to deliver a medal for the country at the Games based on his performance during his last training session at Bukit Jalil, said national coach Jamil Adam.
“Of course, we are hoping for Bonnie to win gold but any colour will do,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.
Bonnie is among the favourites at the Tokyo Paralympics after winning the 11th Dubai Faza Powerlifting championship in the UAE last June and the World Para Powerlifting in Bangkok, Thailand in May.
The Kuching-born para athlete broke the world record with a lift of 230kg in UAE, erasing the previous record of 229kg by Iranian Roohallah Rostami at the Asian Para Games in Jakarta in 2018.
Meanwhile, Jamil cautioned the 22 year-old athlete who is making his debut at the Games to be wary of the threat from other contestants, especially silver medalist at the Rio Paralympics, Rasool Mohsin, and 2017 world champion from China, Hu Peng. Both are strong contenders for the gold.
Jamil also said another Malaysian athlete, Jong Yee Khie is expected to perform well in the 107 category.
Jong is mentally and physically tuned to perform at the Tokyo International Forum which is the venue for the Paralympic Games this year.
“Thank God, Jong is free from problems and his final preparations have been going smoothly before we leave for Tokyo on Aug 21,” Jamil said.
Bonnie is expected to carry the nation’s hopes on Aug 28 while Yee Khie on Aug 30.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican before this had announced that the paralympic contingent is expected to bring home three gold medals with powerlifting contributing a medal at the Games. - Bernama. August 14, 2021
