Heavy price to pay Yee Khie pipped to the gold based on body weight

All smiles: Jong Yee Khie celebrating with the silver medal of the men’s above 77kg at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre yesterday.

IF only Jong Yee Khie was 3.7kg lighter, he would have won a gold medal for Malaysia in powerlifting.

But the para athlete had to settle for a silver medal after losing to former world champion Abdulzeez Ibrahim of Nigeria in the men’s above 77kg based on body weight at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre yesterday.

Both the 29-year-old Sarawakian and Ibrahim were tied after lifting 220kg.

Unfortunately, the judges awarded the gold to the lifter with a lighter body weight and Ibrahim won it because he weighed 93.10kg compared to Yee Khie’s 96.80kg.

Yee Khie had mixed feelings despite bettering the bronze medal he won at the 2014 Glasgow Common­wealth Games and setting a personal best.

“But it’s sad to lose out on body weight,” said Yee Khie.

“I was mentally prepared for the Games and came here with a mission to win.

“I wanted to prove to the Nigerian that I can do better than him by carrying all my three weights without any problems,” said Yee Khie, who lifted 205kg, 213kg and 220kg.

“I’m delighted to improve my personal best by eight kilogrammes. It’s a big boost as I prepare for other major events.”

“I want to do well at the Para Asian Games in Jakarta in September,” said Yee Khie, who competed in the Rio Paralympics in 2016.

Meanwhile, youngster Bonnie Bunyau Gustin made a memorable debut in the Games by breaking his own national junior record by nine kilogrammes in the men’s below 77kg division.

The 18-year-old from Sarawak lifted 166kg to finish fourth and was delighted to re-write his own national junior record.

“I was up against the best powerlifters in the Games and I did well to finish fourth,” said Bonnie.

“It has been a good experience and it taught me that I need to be mentally stronger at the next Games.”