All eyes are on Bonnie as Malaysia target an early podium finish in Glasgow

Power start: The two-time Paralympic champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin seeks another golden moment on the powerlifting platform.

PETALING JAYA: The stage is set for powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin to perform his magic on the barbells to hand Malaysia a strong early lift in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Para powerlifting takes the spotlight with the very first of four gold medals to be decided tomorrow, the day after the opening ceremony of the Games.

And the men’s lightweight category (up to and below 72kg) will be of particular interest to Malaysia as Bonnie returns to Glasgow as the defending champion.

Bonnie will share the spotlight with his elder brother, Bryan Junency Gustin, who will also compete in the same category.

Barring a huge upset, the nation can count on Bonnie to deliver the very first medal and National Sports Council director general Jefri Ngadirin is hoping all turns out well on the day of competition.

“Bonnie will be starting as the two-time Paralympic champion and is the man to beat in the category,” said Jefri.

“Hopefully, he can deliver a great start for the Malaysian contingent but then anything can happen as the Commonwealth Games is of a different format compared to the Paralympic.

“The field is only divided into two categories – lightweight and heavyweight (over 72kg), so if the athlete is lighter, he has an advantage,” he said.

The bulk of the athletes have arrived and settled down in Glasgow. Jefri added they are happy to see the athletes going through the process without much hassle.

“Maybe the athletes needs to walk about 500m from the main accommodation area to take the shuttle bus to various competition venues.

“We accept the situation as this is the arrangement of the host country to provide transportation facilities for us.”

Malaysia will see their smallest contingent comprising only 59 athletes – 37 able-bodied and 22 para athletes due to the trimmed down Games.

Previous Commonwealth Games usually feature 20 sports but there is only 10 on the roster this time.

Malaysia will only be competing in eight sports – athletics and para athletics, lawn bowls and para lawn bowls, 3x3 basketball and wheelchair basketball, track cycling and para track cycling, weightlifting and para powerlifting, swimming and para swimming as well as judo.

Malaysia are not competing in boxing and netball.