Table of Biography
Laurel Hubbard is a weightlifter from New Zealand. Laurel Hubbard was the first openly transgender woman to compete in the Olympic Games when she was chosen to compete in the 2020 Summer Olympics. Before her Olympic debut, Hubbard was ranked seventh in the IWF’s women’s +87 kg division.
Early Life and Childhood
Laurel Hubbard was born on February 9, 1978, in Auckland, New Zealand age is 44 years old as of 2022 and Hubbard is a New Zealand citizen by nationality and follows the Christian religion.
Similarly, her birth sign is Aquarian currently, she is living in Auckland. Moreover, Hubbard’s father and mother’s name is Dick Hubbard and Diana Reader respectively.
Hubbard’s father Dick Hubbard was a former Mayor of Auckland City as well as the founder of Hubbard Foods. However, there is no information available regarding Hubbard’s siblings.
Education
Talking about her educational background, she might have done her schooling at a community school in Auckland City. Later, Hubbard joined Saint Kentigern College in New Zealand. Moreover, Hubbard’s additional academic credentials are unavailable.
Career and Professional Life
Regarding her career, before coming out as transgender, Hubbard set New Zealand junior records in both lifts (snatch 135 kg, clean & jerk 170 kg) and total weight in the newly established M105+ division in 1998. (300 kg).
Hubbard transitioned to female in 2012. That year, she began hormone therapy. In 2017, Hubbard competed in international weightlifting for the first time. Hubbard qualified for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, but an elbow injury forced her to withdraw from the event while she was leading the field.
Following her injury, Hubbard announced her intention to retire from weightlifting. Hubbard returned to the sport later in her career, winning two gold medals at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) assigned the requirements for transgender weightlifters to compete in the Olympics to the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).
Caption: Laurel Hubbard lifting a weight. Source: News Azi
Hubbard met all of the requirements, and the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) announced on 21 June 2021 that she had been selected for the New Zealand Olympic team to compete in the women’s +87 kilogram category, making her the oldest weightlifter to qualify for the games.
More about Hubbard’s Career
As a result of this decision, Hubbard became the first openly transgender athlete to be chosen to compete in weightlifting at the Olympic Games. Since 2004, transgender athletes have been permitted to compete in the Olympics, with the current criteria in place since 2015.
Hubbard was the fourth oldest weightlifter to compete in the Olympics at the age of 43, and she was considered a medal contender. Hubbard struggled in front of a large media contingent, failing three snatch lifts and finishing last in her group.
However, she then thanked the IOC, IWF, NZOC, and all her New Zealand supporters for their support and encouragement throughout the competition. Hubbard later hinted at retirement, saying that old age had caught up with her.
Brand Endorsements
Hubbard has not endorsed any brand, nor has he promoted anything, nor has he been seen in any brand collaborations.
Awards and Nomination
On her Olympic debut, Hubbard was ranked seventh in the IWF’s women’s +87 kg division. Moreover, she competed in the heaviest 90 kg+ categories at the 2017 Australian International & Australian Open in Melbourne, winning the gold medal with a 123 kg snatch and a 145 kg clean & jerk, for a total of 268 kg at a bodyweight of 131.83 kg.
As a result, she became New Zealand’s first trans woman to win an international weightlifting title.
Caption: Laurel Hubbard winning a weightlifting competition. Source: Glinner update
Laurel Hubbard – Net Worth 2022
Laurel Hubbard is a professional weightlifter and has earned a considerable income via her work. Hubbard’s estimated net worth is around $500k.
Relationship Status
Hubbard may be single and not dating anyone right now. Also, Hubbard hasn’t been married before and doesn’t have any past relationship or any previous engagement. Moreover, Hubbard has no children and it is seen that she is quite happy being single at the moment.
Scandal
Despite meeting the eligibility requirements to compete, Hubbard’s victory was met with criticism, with some other competitors claiming the competition was unfair. Iuniarra Sipaia, Toafitu Perive, Deborah Action, and Tracey Lambrechs were among the athletes who criticized the decision to allow Hubbard to compete.
Michael Keelan, CEO of the Australian Weightlifting Federation, said it was unfair to other competitors. Also, Samoa 2019 chairman Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio and Samoa’s Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi both criticized the decision to allow Hubbard to compete.
Caption: Laurel Hubbard giving an interview. Source: AP News
Laurel Hubbard – Body Measurements
Talking about her height Laurel Hubbard is 6 Feet 1 inch tall and weighs 147kg. Similarly, her eye color is brown and her hair color is black. Also, Hubbard’s dress size is 6 and her shoe size is 11(US).
Social Media
Hubbard is not active on social media. Hubbard likes to be present and keep her personal life private, hence she does not use any social networking sites.