Bonnie ready to shoulder the task of winning gold for himself and country

PETALING JAYA: A shoulder injury will not stop Bonnie Bunyau Gustin (pic) in his quest to capture gold in the Asian Para Games from Oct 22-28 in Hangzhou.

The Asiad crown is the only title missing from the national powerlifter’s impressive collection and Bonnie is determined to fight through the pain barrier to complete his mission.

The 24-year-old has won gold in the World Championships (three times), Paralympics and Commonwealth Games but had to settle for silver in the previous Asiad in Jakarta in 2018.

“I injured my right shoulder before the Birmingham Commonwealth Games last year but I’m confident that I can keep my injury under control,” said Bonnie.

“My coaches have set a target of a medal of any colour but I’m only going for the gold.”

Bonnie is also pumped up after capturing his third world title just a fortnight ago in Dubai.

The victory was made even sweeter after the Sarawakian rewrote his world record by lifting 231kg in the men’s below 72kg – an improvement of one kilo from the last mark of 230kg set in the same city in the Para Powerlifting World Cup two years ago.

“Winning the world title is definitely a boost for me for the Asiad. I’m not thinking of setting a new record but I just want to do well,” said Bonnie.

“I believe my closest challengers could be from the hosts China.”

Meanwhile, Games chef de mission and Malaysian Paralympics Council (MPC) vice president K. M. Rajendran was pleased with the preparations of the para athletes bound for the Asiad so far.

“The athletes whom I have met so far are in high spirits and I can see that their preparations are going well,” said Rajendran after visiting the National Paralympics Center in Kampung Pandan yesterday.

“Of course the pressure especially on the younger athletes will only increase when they arrive in Hangzhou. The coaches play an important role in helping them cope.”