KUALA LUMPUR: Paralympic athlete, Bonnie Bunyau won the first gold medal for the country in the powerlifting event for category 72 kilogramme (kg) at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 today.
Bonnie snatched the gold medal through his best lifting of 228 kg and subsequently broke the record held by Iraqi athlete, Rasool Mohsin who had lifted 227 kg at the Rio de Jeneiro Paralympics 2016.
The world record holder, Bonnie was leading since he started with his first lift of 217, 225 and 228 before his fourth attempt failed to break his own world record of 231kg.
However, the silver medal was won by Egyptian athlete, Mahmoud Attia lifting 191 kg while the bronze was held by Micky Yule of Great Briatin lifting 182 kg.
Before Bonnie participated in the Tokyo Paralympics, the Sarawak born athlete had proven his excellent performance at the 11th World Cup Para Powerlifting Fazza in Dubai in senior male category above 72kg.
Bonnie had broken the world record by lifting 230 kg which was held by Roohallah Rostami from Iran lifting 229 kg at the Para Asia Jakarta in 2018. The silver medal was won by Hu Peng from China who lifted 214 kg while the bronze was held by Ndamdi Innocent from Nigeria lifting 213 kg.
In July 2021, Bonnie also won the gold medal at the World Cup Para Powerlifting in Bangkok, Thailand. – Malaysia World News
