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VICE Sports

Competitor Outrage After Kiwi Transgender Weightlifter Wins Aussie Women’s Title

Her Australian victory could put her in line for selection be to the NZ weightlifting team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

When Kiwi Laurel Hubbard took out the women's over 90kg division at the Australian International weightlifting competition in Melbourne on Sunday, she achieved a personal first - her first ever victory in an international event.

The nature of that victory merits it, too. Hubbard lifted 123kg in the snatch discipline and 145kg in the clean-and-jerk for a combined 268kg total that was 19kg better than the second-placed contender.

The title notched up another a first too, with Hubbard becoming the first Kiwi transgender weightlifter to win an international competition. It's the second of those two achievements that the 39-year-old Hubbard - who was born Gavin and transitioned in her mid-30s - is attracting criticism and outrage for.

Two-time Australian Olympic weightlifter Deborah Acason told One News that Hubbard's inclusion in the women's ever was unequal.

"If I was in that category I wouldn't feel like I was in an equal situation. I just feel that if it's not even why are we doing the sport?," she asked.

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