American Paralympic sprinter Hunter Woodhall experienced a powerful moment of triumph when he crossed the finish line to win a gold medal in the men’s 400m T62 final at the Paralympics.
His joy was not just about the victory itself, but also about sharing the moment with his wife, Tara Davis-Woodhall, an Olympic gold medalist.
Hunter Woodhall Olympic Gold Winner
After his race, Woodhall sprinted straight to the stands where his wife was waiting, their emotional reunion on the track a mirror image of a celebration that had taken place just a month earlier.
When Davis-Woodhall secured her gold medal in the women’s long jump at the Olympics, she had launched herself into her husband’s arms, overwhelmed with joy.
“I remember the crowd roaring and turning to look at my family, at Tara, my team – they were all so happy. I had to share that moment with them,” Woodhall told CNN’s Don Riddell after securing his maiden Paralympic gold.
For Woodhall, watching his wife dominate on the Olympic stage instilled in him the confidence that he could achieve his gold in Paris.
Having won a silver medal in Rio at the age of 17 and two bronzes in Tokyo, he knew that his time had come.
“We do everything together – we train together, eat together, recover together,” he explained. “Seeing Tara go out and crush it gave me so much belief. If she could do it, I knew I could too.”
American Paralympic champion Hunter Woodhall drew ‘confidence’ from his wife’s Olympic gold medal
The couple made a deliberate choice not to fully celebrate Davis-Woodhall’s Olympic win at the time, knowing that Woodhall still had his Paralympic event ahead.
They stayed focused, with both determined not to be distracted from their shared goal.
“What Tara achieved was incredible, but we didn’t let it consume us. We had unfinished business,” Woodhall said. “It takes a lot of humility and sacrifice to do that, and I’m really grateful for her support.”
Once Woodhall secured his Paralympic title, the couple’s joy spilled over. On the track, Woodhall lifted his wife into the air, spinning her around as they laughed and celebrated together.
“Me and Tara, we’re happiest just being around each other,” Woodhall said. “Whether we’re watching sunsets on the porch or training hard, we make each other better. We know neither of us are perfect, but we’re a great team.”
Woodhall’s celebration carried deep meaning, as it marked the culmination of a journey that began with significant physical challenges. Born with a fused right ankle and fibular hemimelia, which affected his left leg, Woodhall had both legs amputated below the knee just before his first birthday.
“I got my first pair of prosthetics at 15 months, so the odds were stacked against me from the start,” he reflected. “But my dad always told me, ‘You’ll be different, and that’s something you can’t change. What matters is knowing who you are and your worth.’”
Woodhall expressed gratitude for the challenges he faced early in life, as they taught him resilience and shaped his ability to appreciate the special moments that come with overcoming adversity.
Reflecting on his journey and his Paralympic gold medal, Woodhall grew emotional when asked what he would say to his younger self. “I’d tell him how special he is and how cool it is to be different,” he said, his voice breaking with emotion. “And I’d tell him to believe in himself.”
With his gold medal in hand, Woodhall’s message is clear: no matter the obstacles, self-belief and determination can lead to incredible achievements.