PETALING JAYA: Bonnie Bunyau Gustin makes it to the Commonwealth Games podium as promised but it's not the gold medal Malaysia were waiting for at SEC Armadillo tonight (July 24).
The two-time Paralympic powerlifting champion had gone for a final attempt of 230kg in the men's lightweight category (up to 72kg) but did not manage to return it to the height of the bar.
Bonnie opted not to appeal and thus settled for bronze with a total of 153.5 points from his second successful attempt at 220kg.
It was redemption day for Mark Swan of England, whose bodyweight stands at 71.5kg, claimed the first gold of the Commonwealth Games with a total of 153.9 points having cleared 222kg.
Swan had lost to Bonnie in this event at the last edition in Birmingham four years ago.
Nigeria's former Paralympic champion Roland Ezuruike, who weighed in at 50.8kg, settled for silver with a total of 185kg to collect 153.9 points.
For the Commonwealth Games powerlifting format, brute strength alone will not decide the outcome, with athletes ranked using a formula that combines body weight and successful lifts.
