She will also become the oldest weightlifter in the Olympics and will rank fourth in the women’s heavyweight competition. Hubbard won a silver medal at the 2017 World Championships and a gold medal at the 2019 Samoa Pacific Games. She participated in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, but suffered a serious injury that frustrated her career.

Hubbard said: “I feel grateful and humble for the kindness and support given to me by so many New Zealanders.” “Three years ago, when I broke my arm at the Commonwealth Games, someone told me that my sports career might be possible. Has come to an end. But your support, encouragement and your [love] Take me through the darkness.

“The past 18 months have shown us all the power of kinship, community, and working together to achieve a common goal.”

The additional burden Hubbard had to bear was that her efforts made her a hot topic in the fairness debate surrounding the participation of transgender athletes in women’s competitions. She has faced anger, contempt and ridicule, and has been directly criticized by her opponents.

Hubbard participated in the competition under her real name, Gavin Hubbard. She set a national record in the youth competition and had the best result of 300 kg in snatch and clean and jerk.

Hubbard made the transition 8 years ago at the age of 35. Since then, she has met all the requirements of the International Olympic Committee’s regulations on transgender athletes and fair competition.

The women’s 87 kg and above competition will be held on August 2.