Well, that changed on Tuesday (22 June) when a Malaysian athlete made the country proud.

A gold and a new record

Malaysian powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin won the gold medal in the men's above 72kg category at the Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai, The Star Online reported.

Along the way, Bonnie smashed the world record and set a new one for himself.

On his second try, Bonnie managed to lift 221kg, which was enough to bring home the gold medal as his closest competitor, China's Hu Peng, only managed to lift 214kg.

With the gold medal already in his bag, the 20-year-old then decided to take a shot at the world record of 229kg, which was set by Iranian Rostami Roohallah in 2019.

Bonnie set the weight at 230kg, but he failed to lift it in his first attempt.

However, the Kuching-born athlete did not give up, and he managed to lift it on his second try, thus setting a new world record.

What a way to start the day at #Dubai2021 World Cup?WR and ? for Malaysia's Bonnie Bunyau Gustin ?? in the men's up to 72kg!2️⃣3️⃣0️⃣ kg?HU Peng ???INNOCENT Nnamdi ??? Live results: https://t.co/lp8svpU6bE#ParaPowerlifting @Paralympics @DCDuae pic.twitter.com/2BXCAugphr

— Para Powerlifting (@Powerlifting) June 22, 2021

With the win and the world record under his name, Bonnie will most likely be heading to 2020 Tokyo Paralympics as the number one paralifter in his category.

This is Bonnie's second gold medal at the Para Powerlifting World Cup this year; he won the men's 72kg category held in Bangkok, Thailand, in May.

Well done, Bonnie Bunyan Gustin! Relish in your achievement, because you definitely deserve it.