Born on February 17, 1999, Hunter Woodhall has emerged as a remarkable figure in the world of athletics, not just for his incredible achievements on the track but also for his inspiring story of resilience and his high-profile relationship with sprinter Tara Davis-Woodhall. A double amputee who has defied the odds, Woodhall has won three medals across the last two Paralympics, capturing the hearts of fans around the globe. As he sets his sights on gold at the upcoming Paris Paralympics, his journey continues to be a powerful testament to determination and the human spirit.

Woodhall’s story is one of triumph over adversity. At just 11 months old, he faced a life-altering tragedy that would define his path forward. Yet, from an early age, he was determined not to be defined by his disability. “I wasn’t going to be seen as just someone with a disability,” he told Sports Illustrated in 2017. Instead, he set out to challenge perceptions and prove himself as a top-tier athlete.

With the unwavering support of his parents, who encouraged his dreams and nurtured his competitive spirit, Woodhall’s journey is a shining example of what can be achieved through grit, perseverance, and an unyielding desire to push boundaries. His story isn’t just about overcoming physical limitations—it’s about breaking down barriers and inspiring others to reach for greatness, no matter the obstacles in their way.

A tragedy awaited Hunter Woodhall at just 11 months old

The 2x World Championship medalist, Hunter Woodhall, has always been a warrior from her childhood. He was not born with a congenital birth defect. As he was suffering from fibular hemimelia, his parents had to make the tough decision of amputating his legs at just 11 months old. The fibula is the outside bone of Hunter’s lower leg, which was missing in both of Hunter’s legs. Though he had his feet, the problem was on his right ankle since it was fused to his legs, and he only had nine toes.

Initially, specialists attempted corrective surgery, which did not work. Then, when his parents took him to Shriners Hospital for Children, they suggested amputation. After six months of the operation, he started his journey with prosthetics. Much later, in an interview with PEOPLE, he recounts, “It took actually a while to figure out that amputation might be a good solution,” revealing it was a tough decision for both Steve and Barb Woodhall, his parents. With the “everything happens for a reason” mentality, he first encountered obstacles when his homeschool journey ended and his public school journey started.

As he was a victim of bullying, it affected him badly. He once said, “That was a really tough time for me,” reflecting his worst life experience. Then, he felt like he was not talking to anyone, not even with his parents. Keeping everything to himself, he tried to cope with everything. Slowly, he inspired many other athletes like him, from a less confident kid at school to becoming an Paralympic champion. His story reflects an inspiring dedication to overcoming obstacles, from his early challenges to his current pursuit of gold. 

How did Hunter Woodhall become one of the most celebrated Paralympians?

Hunter Woodhall’s path to becoming one of the most celebrated Paralympians is a remarkable journey of perseverance and triumph. During his childhood, he went to Vancouver, where he first attended the 2010 Winter Paralympics games because his parents wanted to boost his confidence. The ‘out of the world’ experience motivated him to join the U.S. Paralympic team in 2015 to represent the nation internationally. Then, he bagged silver and bronze medals in the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships. “Man, I could be really good at this,” he realized early in his track and field career. He then won silver and bronze medals in the 2016 Rio Olympics at 200m T44 and 400m T44 events. 

Coming to the Tokyo Paralympics, he again showed his prowess at the track and field and snatched bronze in the 400m T62 event. This is when he first met his wife, Tara Davis-Woodhall, whom he married on 16th October 2022. Having a supportive wife and a loving family, he achieved silver medals in the 2024 World Championships in the 100m T64 and 400m T62 events, respectively. Then, after finishing off at 46.9s at the U.S. Olympic trials, Paris is on his calendar, and his dream of getting gold at the Paralympics may come true. “World championships can change your career, but the Olympics can change your life,” is how this 25-year-old American sprinter puts it. After his wife became the gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, his quest for Olympic glory and gold has become more evident.