Ready to rock: Powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin at the Paris Paralympics.
PETALING JAYA: The Porte de La Chapelle Arena must surely be the favourite hunting ground for Malaysia in Paris.
Just days after shuttler Cheah Liek Hou played his way to the men’s SU5 singles gold medal, the Jalur Gemilang could be raised for the second time at the venue this week.
Powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin will leave no room for drama when he takes to the Paralympic stage in Paris today.
On top of his mind is retaining the men’s 72kg title and delivering the second Paralympic gold medal for the Malaysian contingent.
The 25-year-old Bonnie said he intends to put in a season-best opening lift effort.
Bonnie holds a season-best performance of 218kg, which he recorded in winning gold at the Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai in March.
He is also the current world record holder at 231kg and also the Paralympic Games record setter of 228kg.
There is little doubt as to his capability but Bonnie is not taking anything for granted.
“I need to start strong as anything can happen in a high-stakes competition like this.
“I do not know what my rivals are planning, so I cannot take anybody lightly,” said the Sarawak-born Bonnie, who has not been defeated in the category since he moved up to the 72kg category back in 2020.
Egypt’s Mahmoud Attia, the silver medallist from Tokyo three years ago, is back for a second shot at gold but Bonnie particularly has to watch out for Italian rival Donato Telesca.
The Italian powerlifter is also the same age as Bonnie and has moved down from the above 80kg category to give the Malaysian a run for his money.
Telesca managed to take silver behind Bonnie in the world championships in Dubai last year and boasts the second best performance in the world this year with a total of 216kg achieved in a competition in Georgia.
“I need to be cautious as I don’t know his strategy. But mentally, I am ready. The country is counting on me and I hope all Malaysians will pray for my success,” added Bonnie, who was also the flagbearer for the Malaysian contingent during the opening ceremony on Aug 28.
Besides Bonnie, Malaysia also have Tokyo Paralympics silver medallist Jong Yee Khie and Nicodemus Manggoi Moses in the fray.
Yee Khie will compete in the men’s 107kg category while Nicodemus will make his Games debut in the men’s 97kg category.
