Hubbard back in black
Nearly a year after a potential career-ending injury, controversial transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will represent New Zealand again.
Hubbard will return to the international scene for the first time since last year’s Commonwealth Games at the Arafura Games in Darwin over April 26 to May 4.
The 41-year-old contemplated retirement following a horrific elbow injury sustained at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
While trying for a Commonwealth record 132kg in the snatch in the women’s 91kg-plus competition, Hubbard’s injury occurred when the bar fell awkwardly behind her and she reeled in pain clutching her left elbow, ending her dream of winning Commonwealth Games gold.
It was later confirmed she had completely ruptured a ligament in her arm.
She represented New Zealand as Gavin Hubbard before she transitioned in her mid-30s.
The injury brought to an abrupt end her debut at the Commonwealth Games which drew widespread attention and controversy. Hubbard was cleared by the International Weightlifting Federation to compete in women’s tournaments in 2017.
Following surgery, Hubbard returned to competition at the national weightlifting championships in Papatoetoe in September.
She competed in the 90kg and over class, the same in which she was lifting at the Gold Coast Games when the injury happened.