Weightlifting: Laurel Hubbard's 'long journey'

Laurel Hubbard has grappled with her gender identity for decades, and her emergence as a female weightlifter this year was not the result of a sudden decision.

The transgender athlete has made international headlines over the past week, after her performance at the weightlifting world championships, where she became the first New Zealander to stand on the podium at that level, winning two silver medals in the super heavyweight class.

Her success has provoked widespread controversy, with opposition coaches — and some athletes — saying she should not be competing, as she has an unfair advantage over the other competitors.

But the 39-year-old Hubbard, who lived for 35 years as a male, says that perception is wrong.

"It probably seems to most people that I have exploded on to the scene," Hubbard told the Herald on Sunday. "But I would hope that people would understand it's been a very long journey to get to this point. I may have started competing in the last 12-18 months, but I started training years and years before that. To be honest, I had to wait until the world changed before I could really compete again [as a female] and I am grateful it has."

Hubbard says she first started weightlifting as a teenager, and was instantly attracted to the sport.

"It has been a pretty long journey," said Hubbard. "I first touched a barbell when I was only 15 years old. Some would say the barbell took hold of me, rather than the other way around. But wow, what a journey.

"There's been highs, there's been lows, there's been injury, there's been low moods ... but it's been so rewarding to finally get to this point and get my feet on the podium."

For the first time on Friday Hubbard told her side of the story, and what a tale it is.

Whatever you may think of New Zealand's transgender weightlifter, it's hard to deny the courage it takes to put yourself in the spotlight

Hubbard has battled with her gender identity for decades, and her transition from male to female was not a sudden decision. It has been a lengthy, complex process, and her switch to become Laurel four years ago might have happened considerably earlier, but for other factors, principally economic.

It hasn't been an easy road — she has had to change careers, from her previous office-based job, which became untenable and has also lived for significant periods without income — but Hubbard is grateful for the endearing support of her close network.

"I'm lucky that I have family, I have love, I have support, I have a job, I have workmates," said Hubbard.

"I have a wonderful support structure and I'm looking forward to going back to it. They have shown me nothing but love and support. I'm extremely lucky."

Hubbard also says the reaction from the public has been positive.

"I've been quite lucky," she said. "People that have approached me, have for the most part been supportive. It's been great, feeling care and support from the community."

Hubbard says one of the most difficult parts of her journey over the last few years has been the isolation, as she trains alone in Queenstown, without a coach or team-mates.

"I train by myself, I coach myself — which means I've got no one really to turn too when things get hard as they inevitably too," said Hubbard.

"So just keeping yourself going, even when your body tells you you shouldn't, when your mind tells you you shouldn't, that's probably been the hardest part."

Hubbard faced an avalanche of publicity on Friday, with extended interviews with all the major New Zealand media companies.

She will be in the spotlight more than ever, but doesn't want to be cast as an ambassador or pioneer for transgender athletes.

"I lift because that is just what I do," said Hubbard. "If people want to read more into me than what I am, that's for them to do. I don't see myself as a role model, I just am what I am."

Hubbard heads back to normal life now — returning to her day job in tourism tomorrow and back into training, as she counts down to the Commonwealth Games in April.

"I am enormously honoured to have been considered for selection, let alone to have been selected because in my weight class alone we have had so many fantastic athletes over the years," she said. "Realistically, all I can do is look forward to the next competition and no further."