KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has congratulated para powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin for winning the country's second gold medal at the Paris Paralympic Games.
In a post on X, Anwar expressed pride in Bonnie's achievement and he also made history by setting a new world record.
"We have won our second gold medal at the #Paralympic2024, and even more impressively, Bonnie Bunyau has broken the world record!"
"Congratulations! Your achievement is extraordinary!" he posted.
The 25-year-old athlete from Sarawak won the gold medal in the 72kg category after successfully lifting 232kg on his third attempt, surpassing his own world record of 231kg.
Bonnie's success sees him defending the gold medal he won at the 2020 Tokyo edition, making him a double gold medallist.
Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who was cheering for Bonnie at the La Chapelle Arena, posted her congratulatory wish on her Facebook page.
"The Negaraku is played for the second time at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena, Paris. Thank you, Bonnie Bunyau," she posted.
Squash legend, Datuk Nicol David, who was the Paris Olympics deputy Chef de Mission, also posted a poignant message to Bonnie.
"I remember when I was still competing, we would cross paths in the gym, and even after the toughest session you would still be there," she posted on her Intagram
"You would train so hard, so long that I would finish and just admire your power because I still to this day don't know how you did it.
"I will always be the first believer that Paralympians are the true legends of sport because they work three times as hard.
"You're a testament to that, and now you are a two-time gold medal winner and you even broke the world record again."
"I can honestly say you're a true Legend, and I have the most admiration for you. Thank you for showing Malaysia the value of hard work and big dreams."