New Zealand transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard

Transgender weightlifter Hubbard beats home favourites at Samoa 2019 after driving incident revealed

Hubbard was favourite to win the gold medal at last year's Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast but had to withdraw mid-competition due to an elbow injury, which later required surgery.

Her appearance in the Australian city divided opinion as Hubbard - born as Gavin before transitioning in her 30s - entered a female event.

Hubbard was eligible to compete at Gold Coast 2018 because she passed the International Olympic Committee criteria for transgender athletes after proving her testosterone levels stayed below certain levels in the 12 months leading up to the event.