Bonnie, who won gold in the men’s 72kg powerlifting event, said both of them played key roles in shaping his success in the world of sports.
He said his father, Gustin Jenang, 54, who won the bronze in the men’s 59kg category at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games, had encouraged him to become the successful athlete that he is today.
Bonnie said he was proud and relieved to be able to fulfil the wishes of his father, who had wanted to compete in the Paralympic Games when he represented the country before.
“This success is for my father, he wanted to represent the country in the Paralympic Games but did not succeed. I am happy to win the country’s first gold here,” he told reporters here.
The 22-year-old from Sarawak not only won the gold but also broke Iraqi Rasool Mohsin’s Paralympics record of 227kg set in the Rio 2016 edition by lifting 228kg in his third attempt at the Tokyo International Forum en route to the gold today.
The silver medal was won by Egyptian Mahmoud Attia while the bronze went to Micky Yule of Great Britain.
Bonnie said his interest in powerlifting arose when he often followed his father to train as a child before starting to represent the country in 2017.
Bonnie was also excited to deliver a gold medal for his coach, Jamil Adam, who celebrated his 52nd birthday yesterday.
He said Jamil never tired of giving him a boost to do his best no matter whether he felt stressed or otherwise in training sessions or competitions.
However, Bonnie said he was disappointed for failing to break his own world record of 230kg that he set at the 11th Fazza Dubai Powerlifting World Cup in the United Arab Emirates last June. He failed to lift 231kg in his fourth attempt today.
Admitting that he was nervous because this was his debut at the Games, he also said the fatigue he experienced after breaking the Paralympics record resulted in him not being able to improve on his own world record.
“Maybe a little tired and my breath at that time was not enough to make the last push,” he explained, adding that he hid his nervousness from his coach during the competition.
On his plans after this, Bonnie said he intended to take a break by returning to Sarawak to meet his family before making preparations for the world championship in Georgia this November.
He added that his family also managed to give him added motivation when he contacted them last night.
Bonnie, who likes to listen to rock music to calm himself before competing, is determined to work even harder to continue his excellent run in Paris 2024.
He also hopes that his success will inspire his other teammates to achieve the three-gold target set for the Malaysian contingent in Japan.
Congratulations from PM
Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob congratulated and thanked Bonnie for contributing the first gold medal “for the Malaysian Family” at the Tokyo Paralympics, referring to his “Kerajaan Keluarga Malaysia” motto.
In a post on his Facebook page, he said Bonnie’s success was a source of national pride when the national anthem, NegaraKu was played and the Jalur Gemilang was raised in Tokyo.
“Malaysia’s first gold! Thank you Bonnie Bunyau Gustin for presenting the Malaysian Family with the gold medal in men’s powerlifting.
“You made us proud when NegaraKu was played and the Jalur Gemilang was raised in Tokyo,” he said.
Sarawak deputy chief minister Douglas Uggah Embas also congratulated Bonnie, a Bidayuh from Kampung Baru Mawang, Serian, through the GPS Facebook page.
Sarawak plans reward
Meanwhile, Sarawak tourism, arts and culture minister Abdul Karim Rahman said the state would reward Bonnie as well as other athletes from the state who win medals in Tokyo.
“Surely there will be rewards from the state government and also the federal government for Bonnie and all athletes who win medals at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics,” Abdul Karim told Bernama today.
He said Bonnie had also made all Malaysians and Sarawakians proud with his achievement.