Bonnie Bunyau anak Gustin (born 3 June 1999) is a Malaysian powerlifter. He won Malaysia's first ever gold medal in the sport in the men's 72 kg event at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo and again at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris whilst breaking his own world record for men's 72 kg.

Bonnie Bunyau Gustin
Personal information
Birth nameBonnie Bunyau anak Gustin
NicknameBonnie
Born (1999-06-03) 3 June 1999 (age 25)
Serian, Sarawak, Malaysia[1]
Height132 cm (4 ft 4 in)
Sport
CountryMalaysia
SportPara powerlifting
DisabilityShort stature
Coached byJamil Adam
Medal record
Men's powerlifting
Representing  Malaysia
Paralympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2024 Paris 72 kg
Gold medal – first place 2020 Tokyo 72 kg
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 2022 Birmingham Men's lightweight
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2019 Nur-Sultan 65 kg
Gold medal – first place 2021 Tbilisi 72 kg
Gold medal – first place 2023 Dubai 72 kg
World Para Powerlifting World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2021 Dubai 72 kg
Gold medal – first place 2021 Bangkok 72 kg
Gold medal – first place 2024 Dubai 72 kg
Asia Oceania Open Championships
Gold medal – first place 2022 Pyeongtaek 72 kg
Asian Para Games
Gold medal – first place 2022 Hangzhou 72 kg
Silver medal – second place 2018 Jakarta 65 kg

Early and personal life

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Bonnie hails from Serian as well as Betong divisions, Sarawak and he is of mixed Bidayuh-Iban ancestry, two main Bumiputera native ethnic groups to the Malaysian state of Sarawak.[2] His father, Gustin Jenang competed in Para powerlifting at the 2010 World Championships in Kuala Lumpur. while his older brother, Bryan Junancey Gustin has also participated in the sport at international level. Bonnie took up the sport at age 15.[3]

Career

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He competed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games where he came 4th in the lightweight event. In 2020 Tokyo Paralympics Games, Bonnie was chosen as the Malaysian flag bearer at the opening ceremony.[4] He then set a new Paralympic record of 228 kg and earned Malaysia's first gold medal of the Paralympics Games in powerlifting.[5] A few months later, he won the gold medal in his event at the 2021 World Para Powerlifting Championships held in Tbilisi, Georgia.[6][7] He also set a new world record of 230 kg in the men's 72 kg event at the 2021 World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai.[8] In 2022, he won the gold in the Men's Lightweight powerlifting event at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.[9] During the 2024 Paralympic Games held in Paris, he was once again chosen as the Malaysian contingent flag bearer at the opening ceremony.[10] At the men's 72kg powerlifting event that was held on 6th September, he broke his own Paralympic record of 228kg and his own world record of 231kg by successfully lifting 232kg which earned him a second consecutive gold medal for himself as well as for Malaysia in the games.[11]

Honours

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  •   Sarawak :
    • Pingat Peringatan Cemerlang Jubli Intan (Emas) (2024)[12]

References

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  1. ^ Tarmizi, Nor Liyana (21 July 2022). "Bonnie mahu emas Komanwel 2022". Utusan Malaysia. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  2. ^ "Bonnie an icon for future athletes - SSS CEO". Bernama. 28 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Bonnie Bunyau Gustin". International Paralympic Committee. 28 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Bonnie, Siti Nooriasah named as Tokyo Paralympics flag bearers". www.thesundaily.my. 19 August 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-08-28. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
  5. ^ "Malaysia's Bonnie Bunyau Gustin sets new Paralympics powerlifting record". TheStarOnline. 28 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Tbilisi 2021: Bonnie Gustin and Bose Omolayo extend domination". Paralympic.org. 2 December 2021. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  7. ^ Morgan, Liam (2 December 2021). "Omolayo breaks world record to claim gold at World Para Powerlifting Championships". InsideTheGames.biz. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  8. ^ Lim, Teik Huat (22 June 2021). "Malaysian powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin sets new world record". TheStarOnline. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  9. ^ Lee, Seng Foo (2022-08-04). "Commonwealth Games: Bonnie makes history with para powerlifting gold for Malaysia". english.stadiumastro.com. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  10. ^ Meketar, Amril Muttaqien (29 August 2024). "BERNAMA - PARIS DAZZLES AGAIN IN STUNNING PARALYMPIC GAMES OPENING CEREMONY". Bernama. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  11. ^ "Sarawakian Bonnie Bunyau lifts 232kg to set new world record at Paris Paralympics". The Borneo Post. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  12. ^ "Mohd Zuki, Bonnie Bunyau among recipients of Sarawak's Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Medal". The Borneo Post. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
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