BROWNSON LIVES UP TO GUSTIN LEGACY WITH POWERLIFTING BRONZE ON PARA SUKMA DEBUT

KUCHING, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Sarawak’s Brownson John Gustin marked his debut at the 2024 Malaysia Para Games (Para SUKMA) with a bronze medal in the men’s below 80-kilogramme (kg) powerlifting event, adding to the Gustin family’s storied legacy in the sport.

Brownson follows in the footsteps of his father Gustin Jenang and older brothers Bryan Junency and two-time Paralympic champion Bonnie Bunyau - who have all represented Malaysia at various international competitions.

The 15-year-old Brownson clinched bronze for the best lift after hoisting 93kg on his third attempt with cheers from world record holder Bonnie, Bryan, Gustin, his mother Evelyn Gelagar, and the home supporters. 

He had earlier lifted 81kg and 85kg to be placed fourth in the total lift with 259kg at the Youth and Sports Complex.

His teammate, Mohd Firdaus Affandi clinched gold medals for both best lift (125kg) and total lift of 368kg, Penang’s Mohd Rosdi Yaakup (100kg, 285kg) took the silver medals and Mohamad Azam Asmawi (262kg) of Johor won the bronze for total lift. 

Brownson said he decided to take up the sport last year after being inspired by his father and brother Bonnie, who clinched the Paralympic gold in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. 

“My ambition is to be more famous than my brother. This is my first competition… am proud of my lift in front of him. My dad and brother advised me not to be nervous,” said the student of SMK Taee, Serian.

Meanwhile, Bonnie said he was proud of his youngest brother’s achievement and believes that Brownson can become a world and Paralympics champion one day. 

Gustin, 58, who was in national team from 2006 to the 2017 ASEAN Para Games in Kuala Lumpur, said Brownson’s discipline and performance had improved vastly since joining the state’s centralised training camp in July. 

"Before he joined the sport, he was not very disciplined… his mother has to wake him up like 10 times. But since he joined the centralised training, he has been getting up by himself and is all pumped up to attend training.

"Like all parents, we also hope that our sons can reach a higher level. Powerlifting has helped us a lot, including economically,” he said.

Last month, Bonnie defended his Paralympic gold in the men’s 72kg category by lifting 232kg, breaking the previous world mark of 231kg that he had set at the 2023 World Para Powerlifting Championships in Dubai. It also set a new Paralympic record, surpassing his previous mark of 228kg at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Yesterday, Bryan set a new national record en route to winning the men’s below 88kg category Para SUKMA gold medal by lifting 191kg.

-- BERNAMA