Bonnie blew his rivals away by lifting 230kg. Silver medallist Peng Hu of China could only lift 214kg while bronze medallist Nnamdi Innocent of Nigeria managed 213kg.
Bonnie’s feat erased the previous mark of 229kg set by Iran’s Roohallah Rostami at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Para Games in Indonesia.
This is Bonnie’s second straight win, having delivered the gold medal in the same category at the World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Bangkok on May 7.
In Bangkok, the 22-year-old Kuching-born Bonnie won gold with a lift of 226kg while 2012 London Paralympic winner Nader Moradi (204kg) of Iran took silver and Alexandr Daskov (140kg) of Kazakhstan finished third.
Another national para athlete, Jong Yee Khie, is scheduled to compete in the men’s over-107kg category later tonight.
Bonnie’s amazing feat caught the attention of youth and sports minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican, who tweeted his congratulations.
“Amazing! Gold and a new world record!
“Congratulations Bonnie Gustin on this proud achievement. This is the power of our athletes. The power of Malaysian athletes!” he tweeted.
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