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Athletics NZ boss hails Zoe Hobbs' historic Commonwealth Games triumph
Sport Nation • July 29th, 2026 1:56 pm
Zoe Hobbs | Photo: Photosport
Athletics New Zealand chief executive Cam Mitchell says Zoe Hobbs' historic Commonwealth Games 100m gold medal is a landmark moment for New Zealand sport.
Hobbs became the first New Zealander to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal in the blue-riband sprint event, producing what Mitchell described as an "incredible" performance.
"What a special moment for New Zealand sport," Mitchell told Sport Nation's Millsy & Guy.
"I was a bit worried when I saw her out in lane seven, but she really held her own, almost accelerated through that middle phase and finished strongly.
Zoe Hobbs | Photo: Photosport
"To have a sprinting Commonwealth Games gold medallist, a female from Taranaki, is pretty impressive."
Mitchell said Hobbs' victory reinforced New Zealand's growing strength across multiple athletics disciplines.
"We're becoming an athletics nation, not just focused on middle distance like we were in the 1980s. We've got high jumpers, middle-distance runners, shot putters and now a sprinter winning the 100 metres."
He added Hobbs' breakthrough would not only raise her international profile but also improve her chances of gaining entry into higher-level competitions ahead of next year's World Championships and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Listen to the full interview below:
