KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- National powerlifting champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin is not taking lightly the presence of Donato Telesca, who could pose a threat to his title defence in the men's up to 72-kilogrammes (kg) category at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
Despite his reputation as the world record holder with 231kg and the Games record of 228kg, Bonnie said he needs to be cautious of the Italian as he has yet to strategise against his closest rival in the competition set to take place at Porte de La Chapelle Arena.
“Right now, I am in the peaking phase. There is pressure to defend the title, but I need to prepare my mind to achieve it and also break the record.
“I also don’t know the latest developments of the challenger from Italy, so right now, I am in a cautious phase,” he said after receiving a visit from Malaysia’s Chef de Mission to the 2024 Paralympic Games, Datuk R Subramaniam, at the Paralympic Sports Excellence Centre in Kampung Pandan, here today.
He also expressed pride in being chosen once again to be the Jalur Gemilang (national flag) flag bearer during the official opening ceremony of the prestigious Games on Aug 28.
Bonnie, who previously carried the Jalur Gemilang at the Tokyo 2020 edition, said the honour fuels his spirit to continue bringing glory to the country at Paris 2024.
Meanwhile, the 25-year-old is happy to see the addition of another athlete, Nicodemus Manggoi Moses, who will accompany him and the men’s 107kg silver medallist Jong Yee Khie in Paris 2024.
“Previously in Tokyo, it was just me and Yee Khie; now, the three of us are going, and I feel happy that the support is increasing,” he said.
Nicodemus, who will be making his Paralympic Games debut, will compete in the men's 97kg category.
The 2024 Paralympic Games will officially open on Aug 28 and conclude on Sept 8.
PROFILE:
Name: Bonnie Bunyau Gustin
Age: 25 tahun
Birthplace: Sarawak
Category: men's 72kg
Hobbies: Sightseeing
Favourite food: Nasi goreng ikan masin (Fried rice with salted fish)
Number of siblings: Three (second child)
Achievements: Tokyo Paralympics 2020 champion
Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 champion
World Champion in 2019, 2021 and 2023
Hangzhou Asian Para Games 2022 champion
World record holder - 231kg
Paralympic Games record holder - 228kg
-- BERNAMA
