SAINT-DENIS, France — Hunter Woodhall pushed forward, his gaze locked on the finish line at Stade de France.

This wasn’t just any race; it marked the peak of years of unyielding training and a moment he had been waiting for. As he charged through the final moments of the men’s T62 400-meter sprint, finishing at 46.36 seconds, Woodhall felt the tension of his journey dissolve, replaced by the exhilarating joy of winning a Paralympic gold medal.

“This is my first gold; it’s my first victory in a major championship, and they couldn’t have picked a better one,” Woodhall expressed after the competition.

Not only did he compete against the finest Paralympic sprinters globally, but he also excelled. Woodhall finished strongly, pulling away from his competitors in the final stretch of the race.

“We worked on this race repeatedly,” the 25-year-old double amputee shared. “I documented in my journal precisely how I intended to execute this race. It turned out exactly that way.

“My plan was to start strong and maintain a steady pace, knowing it would come down to the last 100 meters.”

The Journey to Greatness

Woodhall’s path to success was filled with obstacles.

He was born with fibular hemimelia, a congenital defect resulting in a short or missing fibula bone. At just 11 months old, both of his legs were amputated to enhance his long-term quality of life.

He went on to excel as both a high school and college athlete, breaking records and making significant achievements throughout his career.

His significant moment on the international scene arrived during the 2016 Rio Paralympics, where he secured a bronze in the 400 meters and a silver in the 200 meters.

When the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics occurred, he earned another bronze in the 400, but still yearned for something — a gold medal.

Paris became the setting where he pushed his limits and finally attained the top honor on the podium. He also earned a bronze as part of Team USA’s 4×100 universal relay team.

“I’ve been writing in my journal these past few days,” Woodhall recounted. “I kept noting, ‘I will become the Paralympic champion.’”

“And now it’s a reality.”

The Strength of Two

Journaling was a practice Woodhall adopted from his wife, Tara Davis-Woodhall — an Olympic gold medalist.

A fellow athlete, Tara recently won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics with an impressive 7.10-meter jump in the long jump event. Together, they are one of sports’ most dynamic couples.

“Tara has imparted so much knowledge to me, one of which is the value of self-affirmation and journaling,” Woodhall remarked. “Before the Olympics, she would write in her journal something like, ‘I will be the Olympic champion, and I am strong and swift.’ I took that inspiration with me.”

The couple first crossed paths at a track event and instantly clicked, their bond deepening as their sporting careers flourished. Despite attending different universities — Woodhall at Arkansas and Davis-Woodhall at Texas — they remained committed to assisting each other while dealing with the challenges of elite sports. They got married in 2022 and now train together, motivating one another to reach even greater levels.

Training alongside an Olympic gold medalist carries its own set of challenges, but Woodhall embraces them, expressing that he appreciates having the jumper training next to him on the starting blocks.

“Tara is amazing,” Woodhall declared. “She’s my accountability partner, my training buddy, and my best friend. We’re in this together, and these past four years have been filled with trials, but we’ve tackled them as a team.”

The personal nature of their relationship is vital to their professional achievements. Their shared understanding of the rigorous demands of high-level competition permits them to build a unique support system that many athletes can only dream of.

Davis-Woodhall noted that she seldom acknowledged her own gold medal until her husband had the opportunity to earn his. Now, they can proudly wear their medals together, forever united as champions.

“I’m pretty sure both of us outlined our yearly goals for Paralympic and Olympic gold, and we haven’t stopped working towards them since then,” Davis-Woodhall said. “It’s truly been the wildest journey of our lives. Now we get to gaze at our accomplishments every day.”

Beyond Sports

Outside of track and field, Woodhall and Davis-Woodhall have emerged as influential voices in their community.

Many find motivation in the Woodhalls’ journey as they openly share both their triumphs and challenges, connecting with a broad audience. Through social media, they provide insights into their training routines, competitions, and personal lives, making the realm of athletics and medal-winning feel more accessible to everyone.

Their message promotes persistence and dedication, inspiring countless young athletes. However, their influence extends beyond encouragement; they are also dedicated advocates for increased inclusion and representation in the sports world. As notable personalities in their sports, they leverage their platforms to confront outdated beliefs about disabilities and to encourage diversity in athletics.

Woodhall expressed the pressure he feels to perform for his fans, stating, “Athletics carries this weight of expectation. It can be heart-wrenching and challenging as the outcome is often unpredictable. Nonetheless, I aimed to put on a show for those backing me. I realized how many viewers tuned into the Paralympics and wanted to showcase what we are capable of. The applause we received was overwhelming.”

Together, the Woodhalls are redefining the standards of elite athletes. As they prepare for upcoming Paralympic and Olympic events, their journey continues to motivate a fresh generation of athletes, regardless of physical ability.

The focus is no longer on whether the Woodhalls can stand victorious together, but rather how long they can maintain their position at the pinnacle of success.