[4][5] Prior to making her Olympic debut, Hubbard achieved a ranking of 7th in the IWF's women's +87 kg division.

[8] Hubbard has spoken against what she calls "one of the misconceptions that's out there" that she had been training all her life before she transitioned, stating that she ceased lifting in 2001, explaining, "it just became too much to bear ... just the pressure of trying to fit into a world that perhaps wasn't really set up for people like myself".

[16][15][17] Athletes that were critical of the decision to allow Hubbard to compete include Iuniarra Sipaia,[17] Toafitu Perive,[17] Deborah Acason[15] and Tracey Lambrechs.

[13] Hubbard qualified for the 2018 Commonwealth Games,[18] but an elbow injury during the competition forced her withdrawal from the event[19] while leading the field.

[28][4] The IOC's Medical and Scientific Director Richard Budgett, has advocated for more research into trans participation in sports.

[4] In front of a large contingent of media Hubbard struggled, with three failed snatch lifts, placing last in her group.

[51][52] In 2017, Hubbard told an interviewer that she began participating in weight lifting when she was living as male because she hoped it would enable her to become masculine.

[53] Commenting on criticism she receives for participating in women's weightlifting as a transgender athlete, Hubbard said in 2017, "All you can do is focus on the task at hand and if you keep doing that it will get you through.