‘Busted arm’ forces NZ weightlifter to retire
she tried her best to achieve greatness as a weightlifter.
The transgender New Zealand athlete, 40, told a function for family and media on the Gold Coast she would not compete again after the horror injury suffered when she was trying for a Commonwealth record 132kg in the snatch in the women’s 91kg-plus competition on Monday.
‘‘My arm is busted,’’ Hubbard said from a stage she was sharing with Commonwealth Games weightlifting champion David Liti, as well as shot put gold medallist Tom Walsh and swimming gold medallist Sophie Pascoe.
‘‘It looks like it’s probably going to be a career-ending injury, which is a real shame, but I’m glad I’ve gone out trying to achieve my best on the platform.’’
As Hubbard made the announcement, two of the New
The injury came when the bar fell awkwardly behind her and she reeled in pain clutching her left elbow, ending her dream of winning gold. It was later confirmed she had completely ruptured a ligament in her arm.
Her coach, Simon Kent, told RNZ that Hubbard would need surgery, but was unaware if she had made a definitive retirement call.
‘‘It’s going to need surgery and elbows are a pretty integral part of our sport, so at 40 years of age it’s going to be tough,’’ he said. ‘‘That’ll be Laurel’s decision whether in six or 12 months’ time – does she pull the pin, or does she come back again?’’
The injury brought to an abrupt end her debut at the Commonwealth Games which drew widespread attention and controversy.