Competing before her
gender transition, Hubbard set New Zealand junior records in 1998 in the newly established M105+ division with snatch 135 kg, clean & jerk 170 kg, total 300 kg.
[8] Those records were later surpassed by
David Liti.
[9]
In 2012 Hubbard was appointed to the position of Executive Officer for Olympic Weightlifting New Zealand.[
citation needed] Subsequently she
transitioned to female and became Laurel Hubbard.
[10]
At the 2017 Australian International & Australian Open in Melbourne, she competed at the heaviest 90 kg+ category, winning the gold medal with a 123 kg snatch and 145 kg clean & jerk, for a total of 268 kg at a bodyweight of 131.83 kg.
[11][12] She thus became the first
trans woman to win an international weightlifting title for New Zealand.
[10][13] Although Hubbard met eligibility requirements to compete, her win sparked controversy, with some other competitors claiming the competition was unfair.
[5][13][14] Athletes that were critical of the decision to allow Hubbard to compete include
Iuniarra Sipaia,
[14] Toafitu Perive,
[14] Deborah Acason[13] and
Tracey Lambrechs.
[13] Australian Weightlifting Federation's chief executive, Michael Keelan, said it was unfair to other competitors.
[12]
