[1] Hobson finished second to Bill Adams in the lightweight division at the 1949 New Zealand national amateur wrestling championships.

[7] At the 1951 national championships, Hobson won the lightweight division, beating Bill Adams, and was also named as the most scientific wrestler at the tournament.

He was, however, named in the New Zealand team for that year's world championships in Japan, subject to fitness, but ultimately did not compete.

[11] Later that year, Hobson lost the final of the welterweight division at the national championships to Jack Monaghan on points.

[17] He won his second bout, against his Welsh opponent, A. Scott, before losing his next fight to Coenraad de Villiers from South Africa.