Samoa says it is unfair for transgender weightlifters to compete in women's divisions and plan to take their protest to the International Weightlifting Federation.
New Zealand lifter Laurel Hubbard won the over 90kg division at the Australian International event in Melbourne earlier this month.
The 39-year-old lifted a combined total of 268kg, 19kg better than silver medallist Iuniarra Sipaia of Samoa.
The President of the Samoa Weightlifting Federation, Jerry Wallwork said the move will discourage women from participating in the sport.
Wallwork said the fact Hubbard denied a Samoan lifter the gold medal was irrelevant and the main issue was one of fairness.
Source: Radio NZ
