Sarawakian Para Powerlifter Smashes Own World Record with 231KG Lift
Bonnie Bunyau anak Gustin first set a world record by lifting 230kg during the 11th Fazza Dubai 2021 Para Powerlifting World Cup. Now, the 24-year-old para-powerlifter, who is of short stature, has outdone himself and retained his world title by lifting 231kg in the men’s over-71kg category, earning him the gold medal at the Dubai 2023 World Para Powerlifting Championship in the United Arab Emirates on 24 August 2023.
Donato Telesca of Italy came in a distant second with 202kg, while Bekzod Jamilov of Uzbekistan won bronze with 200kg. As reported by The Borneo Post, 610 para powerlifters from 79 countries are participating in the championships which are currently being held at the Hilton Al Habtoor City Hotel.
Back at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, the national athlete of mixed Bidayuh-Iban ancestry won Malaysia’s first-ever gold medal in the sport in the men’s 72kg event. In the process, he also broke the Paralympic record.
In 2021, he gained Malaysia’s first gold medal of the Tokyo Paralympics Games in powerlifting and set another new Paralympic record of 228 kg. Then in 2022, he won the gold in the Men's Lightweight powerlifting event at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Sports and Youth Minister, Hannah Yeoh has also congratulated him on his outstanding achievement:
Tahniah Bonnie!From strength to strength! https://t.co/uWltDugpoU— Hannah Yeoh (@hannahyeoh) August 25, 2023
Born in Serian, Sarawak, Bonnie hails from a family of powerlifting heavyweights as his father, Gustin Jenang competed in para powerlifting at the 2010 World Championships in Kuala Lumpur. His older brother, Bryan Junancey Gustin has also participated in the sport at an international level.
Watch his amazing feat here:
While superhero strength is usually only seen in comic books, it seems like Bonnie comes close to being a real-life example!
Image credit: @flashsukan