Born in Georgia, Olympic medal winner Tara Davis-Woodhall’s husband, Hunter Woodhall, is captivating attention both on and off the track. Known for his unwavering resilience and dedication, Woodhall gained recognition after clinching bronze in the men’s 400m T62 at the Tokyo Olympics. He’s ready to shine with gold in his sights for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

In a recent interview with E! News, Woodhall expressed his confidence: “In Tokyo, I was optimistic of like, ‘Yeah, I want to win the gold medal’. But this year, I know I have it within myself to win.” He believes he’s made all the right decisions and is poised to deliver his best performance. Woodhall also encourages fans to embrace the Paralympics with the same excitement as other sports, inviting everyone to experience and support these incredible events.

Hunter Woodhall encourages U.S. fans to join in the Paralympic excitement

Hunter Woodhall, a three-time Paralympic champion, has been outspoken about how the Paralympics should be viewed. On Threads, he addressed the misconceptions, saying, “Listen. If anyone is telling you how to feel or what to do while watching the Paralympics, that’s horse radish.” He added, “Just come to watch. You don’t have to be educated on everything going on. You don’t have to adhere to any rules. I am so grateful you’re taking time to watch what we’ve worked so hard for.”

Hunter emphasized that fans are welcome to enjoy the sport in their way. “However it inspires you, or whatever you feel is welcomed,” he concluded. “Sports are incredible because everyone experiences them differently. Para sport is no different.” His message is clear – the Paralympics are for everyone, and every form of appreciation is valid. He says that fans might boost the morale of Paralympic athletes just by being there cheering and enjoying the games for what they are. They can create a warm and kind atmosphere for the participating athletes. This will help those athletes like Woodhall to follow their dreams without any burden of added pressure.

Woodhall booked his ticket to Paris after his significant performance at the 2024 US Paralympics trials in Miramar, Florida. With finishing off at 46.09s, he successfully secured his place at the podium in the Men’s T62 400m event. However, he set a new record of 10.78s in the Men’s T62 100m event. This year, he is confident enough to give his best shot to get to the podium. He expressed his feelings, “I can go in with a confidence that I’m just going to give it my best shot.” Hence, through his heartfelt message, he urged the fans to appreciate the Paralympics and celebrate extraordinary talents.

In the Paris Olympics, he will compete on September 1 in Men’s 100m T64 heats, and the finals will be on September 2. Furthermore, Woodhall will participate in the 400m T62 on September 6. He is already in Paris with his wife, Tara Davis Woodhall, an American track and field athlete. After testing negative for COVID, he’s ready to smash the race and leave competitors behind. From overcoming obstacles to achieving greatness, Hunter Woodhall’s journey reflects his enduring spirit and future ambitions.

Hunter Woodhall: A legacy of triumph and ambition

Hunter Woodhall’s journey began with fibular hemimelia, a condition that stunted his lower leg development. At 11 months old, he had both legs amputated below the knee. Despite this, he learned to walk and run fast. Hunter’s breakthrough came at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, where he won silver and bronze medals and earned the 2016 Male High School Track Athlete of the Year title. His hometown honored him with “Hunter Woodhall Day” on September 15. He became the first double amputee to receive an NCAA Division I athletic scholarship, competing for the University of Arkansas and becoming a three-time NCAA All-American.

At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Hunter won bronze in the 400m T62 and finished eighth in the 100m T64. His World Championships record includes six medals—five silver and one bronze—from 2015 to 2024. Hunter is married to fellow athlete and Olympian Tara Davis-Woodhall off the track. They share their lives on their YouTube channel, “Tara and Hunter.” With the Paris 2024 Paralympics approaching, Hunter faces a new challenge. He tested positive for COVID-19 on August 15, 2024, while supporting Tara in Paris. Despite the setback, he remains determined, “I tested positive for COVID. Unfortunate timing, but I knew it was a risk being around so many celebrating/traveling. Won’t be an excuse, gonna kick this thing and I’ll be ready for the Paralympics,” he wrote.

Hunter joked about Tara’s reaction to his diagnosis in a TikTok video. “This is not ideal, knowing that I got the Paralympics coming up in two weeks,” he said. “It’s completely my fault; I was around a bunch of people celebrating, traveling, everything. It’s not gonna be an excuse,” he continued. “But I’m going to keep a positive attitude and get better really quick. I’ll get back to training and run fast at the Paralympics. It will be okay.” With the Games just around the corner, can Hunter overcome this latest challenge and secure the gold he’s aiming for?