Victim of Bullying, Hunter Woodhall’s Parent’s Gut-Wrenching Decision Paved Way for Paralympics Glory

Hunter Woodhall is nothing short of cinematic, filled with dramatic twists, brilliant wins, and above all, an undying spirit. He was born on February 17, 1999, in Georgia, USA. But soon after his birth, Woodhall fought one of his toughest battles. Doctors diagnosed him with fibular hemimelia, a condition that halted the growth of his lower limbs. When he was just 11 months old, he had to undergo an amputation. This, however, did not stop or even slow him down.

Today, Hunter Woodhall has three Paralympic medals to his name. He won two during the 2016 Rio Games and another one in the 2020 Tokyo Games. But medals and wins aren’t why Woodhall’s name has been circling the headlines. Instead, it was his viral moments at the 2024 Paris Olympics alongside his partner, Tara Davis-Woodhall, that left the world awestruck. As the Olympics ended, Hunter Woodhall left Paris, only to come back again! He is all set to get back on track at the Paris Paralympics 2024.

The Rise of Hunter Woodhall

Hunter Woodhall’s story, from a small town in Utah to the international Paralympic stage, is a tale of overcoming adversity. He was homeschooled until the fifth grade, but that did not last long. He eventually joined a public school, where he was bullied. Amidst all this struggle, his family supported him. Initially using prosthetic legs, Woodhall later switched to carbon fiber “blades” that allowed him to soar on the track.

Soon after, Hunter Woodhall transitioned from junior high to high school. At 15, he made his international debut at the 2014 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Mesa, USA. By 2015, he was already competing on the global stage, representing the USA. He represented the US at the 2015 World Para Athletics Championships in Doha and went on to win a silver in the men’s 400m T44 and a bronze in the men’s 200m T44. But it did not stop there. By 2017, he had made history as the first double amputee to receive an NCAA Division I scholarship. And this was only the beginning.

Winning both battles and medals

Hunter Woodhall’s achievements extend far beyond the medals. His Paralympic journey began at Rio 2016, where he made his debut. At Rio, he won a silver in the men’s 200m T44 and a bronze in the 400m T44. Fast forward to Tokyo 2020, and he won again! Woodhall earned bronze in the men’s 400m T62 and competed in the men’s 100m T64, but missed out on a medal. But those are not the only wins in his list of laurels! Hunter Woodhall holds six World Championships medals. Between Doha 2015 and Kobe 2024, he won five silvers and one bronze.

Hunter Woodhall’s appeal goes beyond his medals and challenges. He is also winning in his personal life. His supportive partnership with Tara Davis has captured millions of hearts. The moment Tara won her gold and ran into his arms was a moment for the books. The two crossed paths at the Simplot Games indoor athletics meet in Idaho in 2017, and as they say, the rest was history. In 2022, Tara and Hunter Woodhall made it official and got married. With the Paralympics right around the corner, the world is curious to know if they will see the two together in Paris again.

Hunter Woodhall is a force to watch out for on the track at the Paris Paralympics. His trials alone were historic. At the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships, Woodhall set a new Americas record in the 100m T62 with a time of 11.00 seconds. It doesn’t end there. He also went on to win the 400m T62 title with a time of 48.04 seconds.

This marks Hunter Woodhall’s comeback after his setback at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris where he could not compete due to an equipment issue. “It’s so validating. It was a hard lesson to learn at worlds, but it was something I needed, and to see the outcome of that today was just so validating. It means the world to have my team here supporting me, it’s what the sport’s all about and makes the moment so special,” he added. 

As the Paralympics begin, all eyes are on Hunter Woodhall. Will he finally manage to clinch that ever-so-slippery gold this time? The world patiently awaits the answer.