Transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard made her Olympic bow on Monday as she competed in the women’s +87kg event in Tokyo.
The 43-year-old made history as the first ever openly transgender woman to compete at the Games.
But it didn’t go to plan for Hubbard, and she was eliminated after just three lifts.
On her first lift, she attempted 120kg, but the bar went over her head and behind her back, despite Hubbard having previously lifted a best of 132kg.
Having missed at 120kg, Hubbard attempted 125kg. She was shaking as she tried to lift it above her head, and it looked as if she had succeeded, but the judges ruled it out 2-1.
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Her second attempt at 125kg also failed with the bar going over her head, meaning her competition was over.
Hubbard’s participation in the Japanese capital has been a divisive topic due to the fact Hubbard was born male and transitioned after beginning hormone therapy back in 2012.
After being named in the Olympic squad, she said: “I am grateful and humbled by the kindness and support that has been given to me by so many New Zealanders.”
She competed in male events in New Zealand as a junior and began competing internationally for her country in 2017, winning a silver medal in the World Weightlifting Championships.
Mirror
