From Farah Najihah Zuraimi
NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Two-time Paralympic powerlifting gold medallist Bonnie Bunyau Gustin will begin his ASEAN Para Games (APG) Thailand 2025 campaign in the men's 80-kilogramme (kg) event with his sights set on the gold medal.
With just the 26-year-old Bonnie and another powerlifter from Thailand competing, the Malaysian knows that he has to stay calm, focused and have faith in his own abilities.
"The men's 80kg category has only two competitors… I will need to lift around 200kg if I hope to strike gold,” he told reporters after Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Mordi Bimol met the athletes at Terminal 21 Korat here today.
Bonnie, who is competing in the APG for the first time since the 2017 edition in Malaysia, admitted that the biennial Games in Nakhon Ratchasima hold a special meaning in his journey with the national team.
"For me, there will always be challenges. I never take them lightly. We do not know what will happen during the competition. For now, I am all ready to compete,” he said.
When Bonnie won the two Paralympic powerlifting gold medals, he was competing in the 72kg category. This will be the first time he is trying his hand at the 80kg category.
Bonnie will also be accompanied by his elder brother Bryan Junency Gustin (88kg category), with both events set to be held on Saturday (Jan 24).
-- BERNAMA
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