KUCHING: Paralympic champion, Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, has lauded Sarawak’s improved sports facilities, especially better access for athletes with disabilities (OKU), and hopes continued investment will help produce more world-class talent.
The 26-year-old powerlifting icon said the difference in training environments between now and when he first began competing is significant.
“So far, I can see that sports facilities in Sarawak have improved – in training venues, new facilities, and accessibility for OKU athletes,” he told Sarawak Tribune recently.
Bonnie, who made history by winning gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in the men’s 72 kg category, recalled the challenges he faced in the early stages of his athletic journey, particularly the lack of accessible training spaces.
“Compared to before, the difference is huge. Now, we have gyms with proper wheelchair paths and support systems for crutch users. That didn’t exist when I first started,” he said.
He added that the increased awareness and commitment to inclusivity have made it easier for young para-athletes to pursue their dreams without the same barriers he once encountered.
Bonnie believes that his achievements – both nationally and internationally – have helped raise the profile of para sports in Sarawak and served as a catalyst for further progress.
“My hope is that Sarawak continues this momentum and produces more world-class athletes in the future,” he said.
At the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, he earned another gold medal while breaking his own world record in the men’s 72 kg category.
Hailing from Serian, Bonnie’s rise to global fame has not only placed Sarawak on the international sports map but has also inspired a new generation of athletes across Malaysia.
He claimed the Best Para Athlete Award at the 2024 Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM)-100PLUS Awards ceremony last Monday (July 14).
