Zoe Hobbs wins 100m at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Scotland; Oceanian record 10.93s

Zoe Hobbs exclusive on her journey to becoming New Zealand’s first 100m Commonwealth Games champion

The 28-year-old sprinter tells Olympics.com she owes “so much” to her parents after making history at Glasgow 2026.

Some 11,000 miles separate Taranaki in New Zealand and Glasgow in Scotland.

But not even a journey of more than 30 hours was going to stop Dorothy and Grant Hobbs from witnessing their daughter make Commonwealth Games athletics history.

“That makes it so special,” said Zoe Hobbs , when asked about the presence of her parents after becoming the first New Zealander – male or female – to win a 100m Commonwealth title .

“They’ve been with me since day one. They’ve been at every ribbon day and they’ll try to get to most international competitions that I do.

“Win or lose, I know that they’re always in my corner. They had a little bit of a tear in their eye, so I know how much it means to them.”

Hobbs’ mum and dad were not the only ones in tears.

For the sprinter herself choked up when explaining how her parents helped her become Commonwealth champion and Oceania’s fastest woman .

“I owe so much to them,” the 28-year-old told Olympics.com . “I wouldn’t be here today without them because financially it’s tough to get into the sport. It’s largely self-funded.

“Fortunately, I’m professional now so that’s a big game changer. But to the point of getting professional, they were in my corner and helping support me to all the meets I could get to.

“Knowing that they are always there to support and cheering for me, it’s a huge deal.

“I’m in a privileged position that they were able to help me from a young age to get me to where I am today.”

Commonwealth Games 2026: Athletics results – complete list

Zoe Hobbs poses beside her new area record in the women’s 100m at Glasgow 2026

Zoe Hobbs: “It’s a huge moment for New Zealand”

Born in Stratford in the region of Taranaki, Hobbs first joined Eltham Athletics Club at the age of five.

But she only started to fully focus on track and field in her final year at New Plymouth Girls’ High School, before going on to hone her skills at Massey University in Auckland.

“Athletics was always just a summer sport,” explained Hobbs. “It was all just fun and games.

“It was important for me as a youngster to do other sports as well - netball, basketball, pretty much anything and everything I could fit time for.

“But it was pretty evident that one of my strengths was jumping and sprinting.

“In 2016, I made the move to Auckland for uni and did my degree alongside athletics.

“I started training with James Mortimer, who I’ve been working with since that point in time.

“I’ve got some incredible people in my corner who have helped get me to where I am today.”

Hobbs won her first Oceania Area Championship title in 2019, then competed in the 100m and 200m at the World Athletics Championships in Doha later that year.

She broke the New Zealand 100m record in 2021, then the Oceanian 100m record in 2022, before finishing fifth in the 100m at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Hobbs reached the 100m semi-finals at Paris 2024 , having become the first woman from New Zealand to race in the event at the Olympics since 1976.

But her gold in Glasgow on Tuesday (28 July) – in another new Oceanian record of 10.93 seconds – was undoubtedly the highlight of her career.

“It’s a huge moment for me and I know it’s a huge moment for New Zealand as well,” she said.

“It’s not a traditional sport in New Zealand, sprinting. We’re more known as a nation for distance running, throwing.

“We’ve never seen a woman from New Zealand get a gold medal. It is just surreal. I’m still processing what’s happened.”

Zoe Hobbs crosses the line to win the 100m gold medal at Glasgow 2026

Hobbs’ message to youngsters: “Stick at it”

Hobbs’ historic win is sure to inspire young sprinters in her homeland.

So, what would her message be to any children to whom she is now a hero?

“Just to stick at it,” added Hobbs. “No pathway is linear.

“There will be people who will try to tell you that you shouldn’t do the 100m because it’s too hard. But just seriously, stick at.

“If you love something, just keep doing it because that’s the most important thing.

“That’s the thing I recognised in sprinting, that even if I didn’t crack it, I loved the sport. So just do it for the love of it.”

By David Coverdale Grace Goulding

23 July - 2 August

Commonwealth Games 2026 | Glasgow | United Kingdom