Commonwealth Games: Transgender Kiwi star's injury could be 'career-ending'

Laurel Hubbard says her career might be over. Photo / Photosport

The gruesome elbow injury that ended Laurel Hubbard's quest for a Commonwealth Games gold medal, could also end her short, yet remarkable, weightlifting career.

On Monday, the 40-year-old weightlifter dislocated her left elbow as she attempted a Games record 132kg for her last snatch lift in the 90kg+ final at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre.

Hubbard said afterward she suspected a ruptured ligament but on Tuesday confirmed the injury could be "career-ending", AFP reported.

Speaking at a public event, Hubbard said: My arm is busted. It looks like it's probably going to be a career-ending injury, it's being looked at.

"I'm glad that I've gone out trying to achieve my best on the platform because as the (New Zealand team) slogan says you have to 'earn the fern', you can't just phone it in.

"Thank you very much for your support, I'm very grateful."

Hubbard, who spent most of her life as Gavin before transitioning, won two medals at last year's world championships.

She became eligible to compete as a woman after showing testosterone levels below the International Olympic Committee threshold, AFP reported.

Although her presence on the Gold Coast caused much division, Hubbard received strong backing from the Commonwealth Games Federation.

Hubbard earlier said, "it's obviously a difficult time".

"The one thing I'm happiest about is that I tried to reach my best performance. This [the injury] happens sometimes, but that's sport.

"We can always go back and re-run these things in our heads, but the truth is unless we try to be the best person and athlete we can be, then really we're not being true to sport. I'm happy with the decision I made to take those weights."