Hunter Woodhall, whose heartfelt support for his wife Tara Davis-Woodhall went viral after her Olympic triumph, is now set to make his mark at the Paralympics. Just weeks after cheering Tara to her gold in the women’s long jump, Hunter has taken to the purple track of the Stade de France in Paris, determined to add his own golden chapter to their shared story. Moreover, now the Paralympics are not just about personal achievement for Hunter. Rather, they are about honoring the journey he and Tara have shared and also making his Olympic gold medalist wife proud.

He was born with fibular hemimelia, which led to the amputation of both his legs below the knee, which made him hear that he wouldn’t be able to walk. But Hunter took up a challenge, and as he reveals in his Instagram bio, he decided to run instead of walking. Now, with the world watching, he’s poised to run for the gold and make history fueled by the love and support of his wife. With Hunter Woodhall now on the tracks, the spotlight has shifted from Tara Davis-Woodhall to her husband.

Hunter Woodhall has dramatically captured the center stage now as he blazed through the men’s 100-meter T64 heats, clocking an impressive 11.02 seconds and making it to the final dash. His performance secured him a spot in the final, alongside three of the world’s fastest para-athletes. As he raced, Tara watched him with bated breath and her nerves on edge. After the race, Tara took to X and wrote, “Yooo, my stomach was doing The Biles II while being a spectator tonight. 😭” 

Simone Biles has five elements named after her in the women’s artistic gymnastics Code of Points, and the Yurchenko Double Pike is the crown jewel. This vault, featuring a round-off, back handspring with a half-turn, and a front stretched somersault with two twists, is the hardest in women’s gymnastics. Simone made history as the first woman to attempt it in competition in 2021, scoring a jaw-dropping 6.4 in difficulty. After the Paris Olympics, she said, “Getting up and not having to think about doing a Yurchenko double pike is a blessing,” which pretty much sums up her relief.

Meanwhile, Tara Davis-Woodhall, watching her husband compete, compared the nerve-wracking experience to the gravity-defying skill named after Simone. Tara’s heartfelt commentary captured the emotional rollercoaster of being a supportive spouse and the anxiety of cheering on a loved one.

With Tara Davis-Woodhall’s reality check, will Hunter Woodhall finally secure the Eldorado in the Paris Paralympics?

Tara Davis-Woodhall has been trying hard to keep her enthusiasm and anxiety regarding her husband’s performance under control. Yet, just like she failed to hide her emotions and excitement and took to social media to vent her raw, unfiltered feelings out, her anxious self too had a few words for her husband. Besides showering praise, Tara Davis-Woodhall did not hesitate to give him a solid reality check before the D-Day. 

After the Rome Diamond League, Tara Davis-Woodhall was caught in a candid conversation with the media. And while she was asked about her thoughts on her husband participating in the Paris Paralympics 2024, the Paralympian’s wife delivered a reality check that underscores the gravity of the competition ahead. Tara Davis-Woodhall stated, “Just going out there and having fun. I mean he’s worked hard this season to get to this point. He has a target on his back and he’s going to be hunted this year.” She acknowledged the fierce rivalry that Hunter was soon about to face on the track. 

Although Hunter, as a seasoned athlete with three Paralympic medals, is no stranger to the pressure of the international stage, this time the stakes are a bit higher. Track enthusiasts might be having an added layer of expectations from Hunter after his wife’s recent triumph in Paris. So now, as the Paralympics continue, all eyes, full of hopes, are on Hunter Woodhall. 

With the 100-meter final and his next events, the 400-meter, and the 4×100 universal relay, just days away, there’s a sense of anticipation in the air. One question now looms on everyone’s mind—Will Hunter match Tara’s golden moment and add a golden crown to their extraordinary athletic love story with a victory of his own?

Don’t miss this week’s Think Tank episode on EssentiallySports. Maddisen Skinner’s coach, one of America’s top volleyball talents, shares insights into his star student.