KUALA LUMPUR: Heavy is the head that wears the crown. And para-powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin will have to put down his world title and focus on the task at hand — fight for a gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games which begins on Sunday.
The Sarawakian will be the man to beat in Hangzhou as he enters the competition as holder of the men's over-72 kg category world record at 231kg, achieved at the World Championships in Dubai in August.
The 24-year-old said he expects a strong field at the Xiaoshan Sports Centre Gymnasium in Hangzhou.
Bonnie said Uzbekistan's Bekzod Jamilov, who won the bronze in the world championships, and lifters from China will be his main rivals.
"I cannot take the other athletes lightly. I have to be well prepared and do my best in the competition," said Bonnie.
"My target is to win the gold medal," he said.
At the 2018 Jakarta Asian Para Games, Bonnie had to settle for silver in the men's over-65 kg category.
However, he went on to win Malaysia's first powerlifting gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics after moving up to the over-72 kg category and set a new meet record of 228kg.
Bonnie followed up his spectacular run by winning the world title in 2021 with a new record of 230kg.
Last year, Bonnie also won the lightweight gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and set a new Games record with lifts of 210kg, 216kg and 220kg.
