'Never give up on your dreams'-Tara Davis-Woodhall and husband Hunter Woodhall reflect on journey to Olympic glory

'Never give up on your dreams'-Tara Davis-Woodhall and husband Hunter Woodhall reflect on journey to Olympic glory

Festus Chuma 11:43 - 08.09.2024

Tara and Hunter Woodhall reflect on their Olympic journeys and share emotional messages to their younger selves about resilience.

Tara Davis-Woodhall and her husband Hunter Woodhall recently shared heartfelt messages to their younger selves after clinching gold medals at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics.

This powerful couple, celebrated not only for their athletic prowess but also for their unwavering support for each other, shared their stories during a post-victory interview, where they were presented with childhood photos of themselves.

Tara Davis-Woodhall, who outshone the Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Malaika Mihambo with a stunning 7.10 m long jump, her personal best, found herself choked up as she reflected on her journey.

“I would just tell this little girl, never give up on your dreams. You're not dreaming too big. I know some people would doubt what I was doing or make fun of the way I looked, being such a strong, small girl, but there was always a reason for me to be fit and strong. I would tell her that we finally did it and you have a cute husband as well,” she said in an interview shared on Olympics Instagram handle.

Her husband, Hunter Woodhall, echoed a similarly inspiring message, having secured his own victory in the 400m T62 event with a record time of 46.36s.

This victory marked his first-ever gold medal at the Paralympics, adding to a commendable collection of medals from previous games.

“I would tell him to be proud of who he is and to be proud about being different and just to believe in himself,” he said.

From an early age, both athletes faced daunting challenges. Tara Davis-Woodhall, despite her diminutive stature, struggled to make her mark in the sport during her early years and battled mental health issues and depression.

Her resolve to not only continue but excel in her sport has made her a strong advocate for mental health awareness, frequently addressing the issue in public discussions and interviews.

Hunter Woodhall's journey has been equally challenging and inspiring. Faced with bullying and isolation in school due to his disability, Hunter’s achievements on the global stage have turned him into a symbol of resilience and determination.

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