New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard to become first openly transgender athlete to compete at Olympics

Laurel Hubbard lifted a whopping 628 pounds in two lifts to qualify for her first Olympic Games. And when she competes in Tokyo next month, she will make history as the first openly transgender athlete ever to do so. 

Representing New Zealand,  Hubbard will compete in the women's super-heavyweight 87-kg weightlifting category on August 2. The 43-year-old will also be the oldest lifter at the Games.  "I am grateful and humbled by the kindness and support that has been given to me by so many New Zealanders," Hubbard said in a statement. "The last eighteen months has shown us all that there is strength in kinship, in community, and in working together towards a common purpose. The mana of the silver fern comes from all of you and I will wear it with pride."