Jono, Ben & Megan - The Podcast - Zoe Hobbs Joins Us After Commonwealth Games Glory

Episode Date: July 29, 2026

Fresh off her Commonwealth Games gold medal, Zoe Hobbs joins us to relive the moment she stood on the podium, heard the New Zealand anthem, and saw the flag raised. She shares the emotions behind her historic win, reveals she was once told to consider events other than the 100 metres, and explains how she handled racing through torrential rain before clocking an incredible 10.93 seconds. Plus we look back at Jono's attempt to race Zoe and why he definitely shouldn't take any credit for her success...   Join the Itty Bitty Hitty Committee HERE!Instagram:  @THEHITSBREAKFASTFacebook: The Hits Breakfast with Jono, Ben & MeganSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

uh zoi oh my god we got soo benni oh wow soi it's jono ben and megan from the hits congratulations thank you oh my lordy we're so proud of you thank you i felt the support from home so much i didn't get on my phone till late yesterday and my phone's just been going bonkers so i've been a little bit overwhelmed with the amount of support that's come from home oh we just watched just watch the middle ceremony, mate. Very emotional. Some tears. What was going through your mind as that flag was raised and the anthem was playing? A lot, a lot of emotions, just the journey it's taken to get here and knowing that those closest to me were in the stands watching the moment together. It was unreal. I never thought I'd get a moment to stand on a dais and hear the national anthem and see the flag get raised,

so it was really special. I heard you talk yesterday about young Zoe as well, and people saying that you should not carry on with 100 meters. I mean, that's pretty crazy that that happened. Yeah, crazy. I was told to take up, we'll consider taking up other events other than the 100 because, yeah, it's too stacked. So glad that I stuck to my guns. Would you like to name and shame that person?

No, no, no. That's a great message for young people. It is. Because that happens to a lot of, like, especially in New Zealand, Kiwi kids are told you can't do it. It's too big a dream. So you're an inspiration. Good on you, Zoe.

Now, how you used to date, it looked like as you crossed the finish line, you were surprised. Yes and no. It was more just like, obviously it's a huge feat to have won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. And for that to be in the iconic event of the 100 was just, I think, the part that was where I was in more disbelief. I knew that I had it in me to get the gold. But in a 100, it's such fine margins and it's just about putting together the right. race and yeah I had to put together a really good race no no room for hiccups and I think I managed to execute really well and that's what helps secure the goal one hiccup you couldn't control

is the torrential rain that you were running in and we were like if there's one event that you kind of need grip on the ground is that how does the rain affect your race but semi-final was crazy I don't think I've ever run in anything quite as bad as that um I started to go a little bit blind on the start of the line for the semifinal because it was that torrential that my makeup started to run into my eyes and I couldn't. I was like, oh, I can't wipe my eyes because then I'm just going to get black eye everywhere

with my mascara. And I'm on television and it's a nightmare. And so I was like, I'm just going to have to blink profusely to try and get like any form of irritation out of my eyes. Meanwhile, we're like crouched on the start line ready to go and I'm like feeling the torrential rain on my back and I'm like, okay, let's just get the show on the road. that one was more about just like

getting through safely and managed to take that box and onto the final unfortunately the final eased up a little bit in terms of the conditions so that was quite nice to have that final a bit nicer and now you have the metal around your neck interesting shape of the middle at the moment it's more sort of kind of like a triangular shape metal

I think it's like a Scottish shield almost oh that makes sense now Zoe I don't know you've a lot of training that you've done leading up to this I don't know if you remember a particular race that took part out at Trust Stadium there. I was actually part of your training program. I don't come in here and take any credit for anything that's always done. And a roundabout way, is there anything you'd like to thank me for Zoe?

Wasn't your singlet backwards? Yeah, isn't it? Yeah, he's the one person that should give up on 100 metres. You were told to do it. Yeah, I'll stop being a hater. We re-shared that video and how much, like, You're so much faster than Jono, but in that race, was that 100% for you? I want to know if Johnno was going 100%.

Honestly, mate, I was going as fast as this body could move. You were slow motion. You were too busy filming. Yeah, a lot of stuff going on. I noticed you could have done a bit more social media in your race yesterday. Yeah, I should have got the hand-a-cam out. Film from POV. Oh, we are so proud of you, though.

Congratulations. Who's over there? You talked about your friends and family. Who are there to support you and share this moment with you? I've got my parents here, my aunt's here, partner, Kelly, Chelsea Lane, who's my therapist, and James. And I've also got a training partner, Zach. I'm just waiting on the other side, so we're ready to celebrate all together. And, yeah, have a nice evening.

What was the first thing your parents said to you when you saw them? they said that was so cool love it my mom actually missed the race dad had like sprung out of his chair and was covering the because mom was trying to film it

the camera didn't catch any of it except for the start you know your mom and then the camera what is she done what are she done and dad's like she's just got the call oh my gosh the problem is your sport goes really quickly

yeah that's the problem over in 11 seconds Oh, Zoe. Yeah, it was here. 10.93. Yeah, such a great time. Such a great moment. Congratulations.

Thank you for your time this morning. We really appreciate it. Thank you.