"I wrote today, I will be Paralympic champion"- Hunter Woodhall opens up on being inspired by wife Tara about self-affirmation as wins gold in Paris 

Hunter Woodhall won the gold medal in the men's 400m T-62 at the Paris Paralympics. This was the American para-athlete's maiden gold medal in his second appearance in the Paralympics and he revealed that he was taught by his wife Tara to self-affirm as he aimed to achieve major milestones in his track and field career.

Hunter Woodhall began his Paris Paralympic campaign with men's 100m T64 however, the American athlete failed to achieve a podium position and finished sixth. He then marched on to the men's 400m T-62, an event in which he had recently set a new PR at the U.S. Paralympic Track and Field trials.

Woodhall won his maiden Paralympic gold medal in the men's 400m T-62 in a fully packed Stade de France after clocking 46.36s. Soon after the race, the American athlete revealed that he was inspired by his wife, Tara who won the gold medal in the women's long jump at the Paris Olympics to self-affirm and convert his dreams into reality.

“Tara has taught me a lot about self-affirmation. Before the Paris Olympics, she was writing in her journal, ‘I will be the Olympic champ’ ‘I am strong, I am fast’. I have had my journal here and I wrote today, ‘I will be the Paralympic champion’. And now I am."

Hunter Woodhall on losing the podium position in the men's 100m T64 at the Paris Paralympics

Hunter Woodhall at the Para Athletics Opening Press Conference - Source: Getty

After finishing sixth in the men's 100m T64 at the Paris Paralympics, Hunter Woodhall took to Instagram to express his thoughts about his performance. He focussed on the positive aspects of his race and shed light on how he had improved drastically in the 100m compared to his previous Paralympic appearance in Tokyo.

" Progress. I’m proud of the way I competed. I told myself I wanted to use the 100m as an opportunity to improve. In Tokyo I took dead last, and it wasn’t particularly close (11.28). Even though I didn’t get the result I wanted, looking back I’m proud of the progress. (10.96)," he wrote.

"I lowered my PR by so much, breaking American Records. Finished the second fastest double amputee over 100m. I may not have won but I fought hard, and competed in an event I’m still not fully comfortable in. Always tough facing failure, but I’m grateful," he added.

Hunter Woodhall won the bronze medal in the men's 4x100m Universal relay, concluding his campaign in Paris with two medals.