Glasgow: National powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin has given his all in an attempt to defend his men's lightweight powerlifting gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, according to his coach, Mohamad Shahibullah Ambi. Mohamad Shahibullah stated that Bonnie exhibited fighting spirit as he sought to perform at his highest level after recovering from a chest injury.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bonnie faced a challenging competition at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) Armadillo. In his third lift, he attempted to lift 230 kilogrammes (kg) to secure first place, a goal that eluded him. Despite this, his coach acknowledged Bonnie's resilience and determination, particularly in light of his recent recovery from a left chest injury earlier this year.

Bonnie's rehabilitation was conducted at the National Sports Institute, where his training focused on comfort and medical advice. Mohamad Shahibullah noted that the process of reducing Bonnie's body weight to meet the lightweight category of under 72 kg might have contributed to his energy levels during the competition. Despite these challenges, Bonnie managed a best lift of 220 kg for 153.5 points, earning a bronze medal.

Mark Swan of England claimed the gold medal with a lift of 222 kg for 153.9 points, while Roland Ezuruike of Nigeria secured the silver with a lift of 185 kg for 153.9 points. Mohamad Shahibullah expressed optimism for improvement in future competitions, emphasizing Bonnie's dedication and high spirits.