Mick Hartley

Something of a jaw-dropper:

Transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard has been named University of Otago sportswoman of the year at the Blues awards earlier this week.

Hubbard is believed to be the first transgender winner of the award in the event’s 113-year history.

The Queenstown athlete became the first openly transgender woman to compete at the Olympics when she contested the women’s 87+kg at the Tokyo Games this year.

The 43-year-old was eliminated from the event when she failed to make a successful lift in the snatch.

Her achievement was recognised with the sportswoman of the year award at University of Otago and OUSA Blues and Golds Awards on Tuesday.

In a short statement to the Otago Daily Times Hubbard said she was ‘‘grateful for all of the support and kindness received from the teaching staff and students at Otago University’’.

‘‘It is not possible for athletes to complete at the Olympic level without the encouragement and aroha of friends, family and supporters.

‘‘This award belongs to everyone who has been part of my Olympic journey.’’

Otago University Students’ Association president Michaela Waite-Harvey said the Blues awards aim to highlight Otago students excelling in their chosen sport.

‘‘We could think of no-one more worthy of sportswoman of the year than Laurel Hubbard who represented Otago and New Zealand incredibly well at this year’s Tokyo Olympics.’

Incredibly well at this year’s Tokyo Olympics?? He didn't make one successful lift! And that's apart from the obvious fact that he's a man competing in a woman's event, thus depriving a female sporting hopeful of their chance to compete.  Doesn't seem to matter to these idiots, though. He deserves the title, apparently, just for his astonishing chutzpah in claiming to be a woman. And making a mockery of women's sport.

It'd be funny as satire. But, incredibly, it isn't. Funny or satire.