Olympics: Australian weightlifter Charisma Amoe-Tarrant applauds inclusion of transgender competitor in Kiwi team
Charisma Amoe-Tarrant has no problems competing against New Zealand transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard at the Olympics.
Olympics
Don't miss out on the headlines from Olympics. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Australian weightlifter Charisma Amoe-Tarrant has nothing but respect for New Zealand transgender Olympian Laurel Hubbard and is happy to compete against her at the Tokyo Games in the women’s super heavyweight class.
Amoe-Tarrant, who won a silver medal for Nauru at the 2018 Commonwealth Games before switching allegiances, is part of a five-strong Australian Olympics weightlifting team for Tokyo.
The team – which also includes Erika Yamasaki (59kg), Kiana Elliott (64kg), Brandon Wakeling (73kg) and Matthew Lydement (+109kg) – is Australia’s biggest Olympics weightlifting contingent since the Sydney 2000 Games.
New Zealand’s weightlifting team includes 43-year-old Hubbard, who after transitioning at the age of 35 has competed at international level since 2017 and won eight events.
Hubbard’s eligibility doesn’t sit well with her Belgian rival Anna Vanbellinghen, who said it was a “bad joke”.
However, Amoe-Tarrant wishes Hubbard the best for her Tokyo campaign.
“I have so much respect for her,” Amoe-Tarrant said.
“I wish her and everyone else, all the other lifters, the best and I hope we all come together and enjoy the Olympics.
“This Olympics now is quite different.
“I just wish her well. I’ve competed with her. I’ve always had some good chats with her.”
Australian Olympic team deputy chef de mission Susie O’Neill said Hubbard’s Games eligibility should not be questioned.
“As athletes we’re used to following rules, and Laurel has passed the rules that the IOC (International Olympics Committee) has set to compete in the Olympic Games,” O’Neill said.
“It’s about controlling the controllables. All these athletes here are training really hard, and I’m sure they’ll go out there and perform at their best and compete against anyone who’s allowed to compete at the Olympic Games.”
Amoe-Tarrant nearly gave up on her Olympics dream after the Tokyo Games were delayed by a year due to Covid-19.
“It’s been a rough year,” she said.
“I nearly gave up … I just had so many doubts. Covid hit me pretty hard.
“I have my ups and downs but I have so many good people around me who are supporting me.”
Gold Coast product Wakeling is the second Indigenous Australian to lift at an Olympics after Anthony Martin did so at Sydney 2000.
“It’s an honour to be able to continue the line of Indigenous representation in the sport of weightlifting,” Wakeling said.
“I am very much looking forward to seeing that number grow in the years to come.”
The number of Australian athletes selected for Tokyo is now 273, with the final team expected to total between 450 and 480.
Australian Weightlifting Federation chief executive Ian Moir said: “The qualification process for these Games began more than 2½ years ago, and there have been a few twists and turns over that time and a great deal of uncertainty.
“Australian weightlifting is so very proud of each and every one of these athletes. We can’t wait to see them on the platform in Tokyo.”
Originally published as Olympics: Australian weightlifter Charisma Amoe-Tarrant applauds inclusion of transgender competitor in Kiwi team
Is this Australia’s most remarkable – and oldest – elite athlete? We think so
He is one of Australia’s most remarkable athletes - a soon to be 99-year-old still competing in the elite arena and making waves, Now he’s revealed the secret of his success and future plans.
Ironman legend’s son making waves in a different sport
It’s a name synonymous with surf life saving but this Next Gen athlete is hoping it’s also on an Olympic start list by the Brisbane 2032 Games - or even LA in 2028 in a different sport.