KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has congratulated Sarawak powerlifter, Bonnie Bunyau Gustin for winning the first gold medal for Malaysia in the powerlifting for the 72kg category event in the Tokyo Paralympic Games today (Aug 28).
The national powerlifting champion, who hails from Serian, lifted 228kg in his third attempt, breaking the Paralympics record of 227kg set by Rasool Mohsin from Iraq in Rio 2016.
“Congratulations and well done to Bonnie for winning the gold medal! I believe that in other events, it is possible that our athletes will win more medals and bring glory to the country,” he said during a press conference after launching the Centexs Mukah Campus and Oil Palm and Agriculture Academy on Aug 28.
He added that the athletes who won medals in the Tokyo Paralympic Games would be given incentives as rewards.
“However, the sum of the rewards will be decided later as the federal government will also provide incentives to the athletes who win medals as well.
“We, the Sarawak government, will give the incentives on top of what the federal government gives,” he explained.
The silver medal was won by Egyptian athlete Mahmoud Attia while the bronze went to Micky Yule of Great Britain.
