Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall’s husband Hunter Woodhall is gearing up for a tough outing against some formidable opponents at the Paris Paralympic Games. The Games are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 28, and will go on till Sunday, September 8.
Woodhall has not had a smooth journey in his preparations for the global sporting showpiece event, contracting COVID-19 amid his training and being forced to take a break as he recovered. However, he has since bounced back and will be hoping to ensure he posts better performances than he did during the delayed 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
The 25-year-old’s Paralympic journey started at the 2016 Rio Games where he won the 200m T44 silver in a time of 21.12 seconds and claimed the bronze medal in the 400m T44 in 46.70 seconds. New Zealand’s Liam Malone won the gold medal in both events. At the 2016 Games, Woodhall set a personal best time in the 200m and smashed the American record in the 400m.
Woodhall was named the 2016 Male High School Track Athlete of the Year by US Paralympics. In Tokyo, Woodhall qualified for the final of the men’s 100m T64 after finishing third in the heats but faded to an eighth-place finish in the final. In the men’s 400 m T62, Woodhall finished third to settle for the bronze medal.
At the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, Woodhall has been entered for the men’s 100m and the 400m. Woodhall will step on the purple track for his first event, the men’s 100m T64 on September 1 at 7:00 PM. If he makes it to the final, he will be in action on September 2 also at 7 p.m. In the men’s 400m T62, Woodhall will be in action in the final of the event on September 6 at 7:00 PM (all times local).
Hunter Woodhall showers wife Tara Davis-Woodhall with praise
Hunter Woodhall explained that Tara Davis-Woodhall is one of the reasons he has managed to achieve great milestones in his career.
In an interview with KSL TV, Woodhall explained that his wife is one of the most talented athletes and there is a lot he has learnt from her. He added that heading into the Paris Paralympics, he is in the form of his life as he seeks to follow in his wife's footsteps.
"She is so talented, and she is so technical with what she does. She has taught me so much and has made me so much of a better athlete and person," Woodhall said.
"I am in the best place I have ever been athletically and mentally, so I am excited to compete and race and have a good time and execute. Amazing things can happen when you find something you love, and you really just show up and do your best every single day," he said.
Tara Davis-Woodhall was mightily impressive at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games where she claimed the gold medal in the women’s long jump after clearing a height of 7.10m. Defending champion Malaika Mihambo and Jasmine Moore finished second and third respectively after jumping 6.98m and 6.96m.
Images of the couple celebrating after Davis-Woodhall's Olympic gold medal was confirmed were shared widely on social media.