SELANGOR: Hard work, family rivalry and plenty of mee kolok helped fuel Bryan Junency Gustin to a golden performance in the men’s up-to-88kg para powerlifting event at Para SUKMA Selangor 2026 today (Sept 8).
The 29-year-old produced three successful lifts of 150kg, 160kg and 165kg at the Selangor International Trade and Exhibition Centre to comfortably claim gold ahead of Perak’s Chee Der Min, who took silver with a best lift of 120kg.
The victory was made even sweeter by his younger brother, Brownson John Gustin, who joined him on the podium after taking bronze with a best lift of 110kg.
Bryan, who is also the brother of national para powerlifting champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, said the friendly rivalry within the family had helped push all of them throughout their preparations.
“My younger brother is number three, I am number one,” he said, adding that their success in powerlifting came down to consistent training.
He told reporters about his secret to success, Bryan, whose personal best stands at 201kg, kept it simple.
“Just training,” he said, before joking about the amount of mee kolok he had eaten before the competition.
The Sarawak lifter now hopes to carry his momentum beyond Para SUKMA, with a possible SEA Games appearance on his radar.
With the Para SUKMA title secured, Bryan is now looking to raise his level further, hoping his next big lift can come on an even bigger stage.
