Malaysia bags second powerlifting medal at Tokyo Paralympics

National powerlifting athlete Jong Yee Khie bagged a second medal for Malaysia, winning silver in the men’s 107kg category at the Tokyo Paralympics today.

Despite failing in his first attempt to lift 230kg, he bounced back to clinch the silver medal in his second attempt, lifting 237kg.

However, the 32-year-old from Batu Kawa, Kuching, was unable to improve further, failing in his third and final attempt to lift 245kg.

Jong’s success helped make up for his disappointment after finishing seventh in the 97kg category when making his Paralympics debut in Rio 2016.

This is the second medal won by the national powerlifting camp at the Paralympic Games. Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, who competed in the men’s 72kg category, made history by becoming the first athlete to win gold for the national contingent in the prestigious games last Saturday.

Bonnie not only won gold, but also broke the Paralympics record after lifting 228kg.

The previous record of 227kg was set by Rasool Mohsin of Iraq at Rio 2016.

In today’s action at the Tokyo International Forum, the gold medal was won by Mongolian athlete Sodnompiljee Enkhbayar who lifted 245kg – a new Paralympics record in the category.

Sodnompiljee started convincingly by lifting 241kg to break the Paralympics record of 238kg set by Pavlos Mamalos of Greece at Rio 2016.

He stole the limelight once again when he broke his own record after lifting 245kg on his second attempt.

The bronze medal went to Saman Razi from Iran who lifted 231kg.