CWG 2018: New Zealand transgender weightlifter withdraws mid-event

New Delhi, Delhi, India

Transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard withdrew midway through the Commonwealth Games tournament on Monday despite leading the standings after the snatch in the 90kg-plus division.

The 40-year-old suffered an elbow injury when attempting a Commonwealth record 132kg in the snatch when leading the women's 90kg-plus division.

She lifted 120kg in her first attempt, then stupmed at 127kg, Hubbard raised the weight another 5kg for her third attempt to break her own record of 131kg.

Shortly into the clean and jerk component, it was announced that Hubbard had declined her lifts.

The New Zealander, who lived as Gavin Hubbard until four years ago and competed at national level as a man, finished second in the women's super-heavyweights behind American Sarah Robles at the world championships in December.

Earlier on Monday, Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive David Grevemberg called on her nation to support the lifter.

"I hope all New Zealanders... would get behind one of their athletes that has gone through the pathway to achieve greatness, and within the rules of the sport," Grevemberg told reporters.

Hubbard was cleared by the International Weightlifting Federation to compete in women's tournaments last year. Hubbard was a silver medallist at last year's world championships in the United States and was a dominant favourite to win gold on Monday.