Asian Para Games 2026: Bonnie Defends Title, Secures Malaysia’s Second Gold Medal

KUALA LUMPUR: National powerlifting champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin secured Malaysia’s second gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games after dominating the men’s 72-kilogramme (kg) category at the Nagoya City Trade & Industry Center today.

The victory saw Bonnie successfully defend the gold medal he won at the 2022 edition in Hangzhou.

The 27-year-old athlete from Serian, Sarawak, opened his campaign with a lift of 216kg before improving to 225kg on his second attempt.

However, Bonnie failed to complete a 231kg lift on his final attempt, leaving 225kg as his best successful lift.

China’s Zhang Pingkang claimed silver with a best lift of 212kg, while Iran’s Mohsen Bakhtiar took bronze after recording 208kg.

Bonnie, a two-time Paralympic champion, entered the final as the world record holder at 232kg, Asian record holder at 231kg and Games record holder at 230kg.

The victory also made up for Bonnie’s disappointment at failing to defend his Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow last July, where he managed only bronze in the men’s lightweight category.

Malaysia’s first gold medal at the Games was secured by para track cyclist Zuhairie Ahmad Tarmizi, who emerged victorious in the men’s C4-C5 1,000m time trial event.

BERNAMA