"I still couldn't breathe"- Hunter Woodhall extends gratitude to his doctor who helped him through COVID diagnosis leading to Paralympics glory

At the Paris Paralympics, Hunter Woodhall was phenomenal, storming to gold in the men's 400m T62 category. With that the American claimed his maiden gold medal at the Games, mirroring a feat his wife, Tara Davis-Woodhall had achieved just a handful of weeks before at the Paris Olympics.

For Woodhall, his campaign at the 2024 Games started in the 100m, where he finished sixth in the finals. He followed this up with a gold in the 400m, before wrapping things up with a bronze in the 4x100m universal relay.

However, the journey to these Paralympic triumphs hadn't been for the 25-year-old, as he was diagnosed with COVID-19 on August 15, just a couple of weeks before he was scheduled to compete in Paris.

Recently, Woodhall's doctor, Noah Moos, shared a behind-the-scenes look into the American's success, posting multiple photos on Instagram and writing,

“Paralympic dump of Hunter Woodhall’s preparation for his gold medal. His victory in the 400 was one of the most masterful performances I've ever seen. You can swipe all the way to the end to see the crazy treatment that opened up his breathing to a new level and reset his nervous system leading into the final. Truly grateful I get to be part and of their team and to witness them make history!”

Woodhall expressed his thanks in the comments section by writing,

“Could not have done it without you bro.”

The runner also took to his Instagram stories to explain a part of his treatment, writing,

“We were dealing with fall out from Covid all the way up to the day before the race. I still couldn't breathe.”

Via Hunter Woodhall's Instagram

Hunter Woodhall thanks wife Tara Davis-Woodhall after his Paralympics gold medal

Hunter and Tara Davis-Woodhall at the 202e World Athletics Championships Source: Getty

For Hunter Woodhall, the Paris Paralympics marked his third venture at the biggest stage the sporting world has to offer, but it was his first time winning gold. After his victory, the American thanked his wife for his success, writing on Instagram,

“To my wife. I couldn't do this alone. You built me up and kept me accountable. You believed in me, and helped me grow. You taught me how to enjoy the moment. You showed me how to be a competitor. We did it.”

Tara Davis-Woodhall also experienced a fantastic campaign at the Paris Olympics, walking away with gold in the women's long jump. Meanwhile, after winning his gold and bronze from the 2024 Games, Woodhall's overall Paralympic medal tally moved up to five.