A transgender weightlifter who formerly participated in the men’s division dominated an international competition in her debut on the women’s circuit.
Laurel Hubbard of New Zealand took gold in the women’s over 90kg division at the Australian International and set four national records in the process, reported the New Zealand Herald.
With combined lifts of 268 kg, the 39-year-old transgender athlete bested the nearest competitor by 19 kg. The lifts set national records in the snatch and clean jerk.
Before transitioning, Ms. Hubbard competed in weightlifting as a man.
She has since surpassed Rio de Janeiro Olympian Tracey Lambrechs as the top Kiwi weightlifter.
“Lambrechs, who won bronze at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014, admitted she was initially upset by being knocked off the top rung in the rankings by Hubbard, but she is trying to take a positive approach to her competitive future,” the Herald reported.
The strong performance at the International gives Ms. Hubbard a good chance of being selected to represent New Zealand at next year’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
• Bradford Richardson can be reached at brichardson@washingtontimes.com.
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