Born with fibular hemimelia in his left leg and a fused right ankle, life has never been easy for Hunter Woodhall. Doctors advised that amputation was the best course of action to maximize his mobility, and his legs were amputated when he was just 11 months old. But from the moment he received his first running blades after entering middle school, he embraced the track and never looked back. From becoming part of the USA para track and field team at the age of 16 in 2015 to clinching the gold in the 2024 Paris Paralympics, his motivations and love for the sport continued to remain high and grow. So how could he back down from supporting future athletes at the NCAA Indoor Championships Finale? And he did that!

Reflecting on his Paralympic triumph, Hunter Woodhall took to Instagram today to share a heartfelt message with his followers. He expressed gratitude for everything the sport has given him and encouraged others to support and invest in its future. “Reminiscing on this moment, and this sport. It has given me every good thing in my life. I want to see it grow and continue to change. Thank you to everyone who is pouring into it. Watching the NCAA meet today, I’m so excited for the future of the sport. If you get some time today, watch NCAA’s on ESPN+,” he wrote. His message came as excitement built around the NCAA Indoor Championships, which, for the first time, are being held in Virginia Beach and will be showcased live on ESPN+.

The post featured a carousel of images from his Paris adventure. The first image was from his gold run in Paris. On September 6, he made history in the 400-meter T62 final, clinching his first-ever Paralympic gold medal. The victory was made even sweeter as he sprinted straight into the arms of his wife, Tara Davis-Woodhall, after crossing the finish line, and that was the second image. The third image, captured Hunter’s emotions as he was seen holding the USA national flag while expressing all his feelings. The other three pictures were also from his Paris stint, showing him in action.

Coming to the NCAA Indoor Championships, the event features both men’s and women’s competitions, bringing together top collegiate athletes to compete on one of the biggest stages in track and field. The championships, spanning March 14-15, showcased the intense competition across 17 events. Oregon clinched its eighth women’s team title, while USC secured its third men’s championship victory and first since 1972. Among the standout performances was Arkansas’ Isabella Whittaker, who shattered records in the women’s 400m with an astonishing time of 49.24.

Coming to Hunter Woodhall, he continues to advocate for the growth of track and field, his legacy extends far beyond the medals. Hunter Woodhall wants to shape a better future for the sport for generations to come, despite the struggles he has been facing every day.

Hunter Woodhall talks about his everyday struggles

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For the first six months of Hunter Woodhall’s life, specialists attempted various corrective measures, but nothing seemed to be working. The most optimistic outcome at the time was that he would need a walker or some other assistive device to move around. When he was about 10 months old, his family found Shriners Hospital for Children, where doctors were the first to suggest amputation as the best course of action.

Growing up, Woodhall quickly became aware that he was different from other kids his age. “I mean, I had to put on my legs every morning,” he recalls. His father’s career in the Air Force meant that his family moved frequently, which added another layer of adjustment to his childhood. Until fifth grade, Woodhall was homeschooled, and it wasn’t until he transitioned to public school that he fully realized he was considered disabled.

Despite the challenges he faced, Woodhall’s story is one of resilience and determination. He turned what could have been a limitation into an opportunity, pushing past obstacles to become a Paralympic champion. His journey serves as an inspiration, showing that struggles can be transformed into strengths with perseverance and the right mindset. Woodhall continues to use his platform to raise awareness and encourage others to embrace their own paths, no matter the difficulties they may face.