The Olympic-Paralympic Power Couple
At the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Trials - Getty Images
Paris 2024 proved that love is in the air, and no couple shined brighter than gold medalist Tara Davis-Woodhall and her Paralympic medalist husband, Hunter Woodhall. What started as a crush in high school has grown into a beautiful marriage where the two of them are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. Here’s their love story.
The Meet Cute
It all started at a high school track meet in 2017, where both athletes laid eyes on each other and felt a connection. Hunter told his best friend, “Damn, that girl is fine. I'm gonna marry that girl,” after seeing Tara for the first time. Hunter caught Tara’s eye after racing the 400 meters, after which she went up to him and gave him a hug. The two started talking and followed each other on Instagram when they went home.
After a few months of flirty Instagram DMs, the two went on their first date in June 2017. In July, they became officially a couple and haven’t looked back since.
Long-Distance Lovers
The two learned to make a long-distance relationship work while they were both in college. They started being an 11-hour drive apart, with Hunter at the University of Arkansas and Tara at the University of Georgia. The distance between them got shorter when Tara transferred to the University of Texas. They credit their ability to make the long-distance relationship work because they learned how to communicate and trust each other. While they are not perfect, the two had to learn how to operate as a couple and grow together.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Hunter said, “One of the things that's really important is understanding how to communicate on both sides. Understanding that we're doing the same things and we have the same goals, it's going to take both of us to motivate and push each other to the next level.” And they’ve done just that.
From 'Yes' to 'I Do
In 2021, the pair both competed at the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Tara finished sixth in the women’s long jump, and Hunter took home bronze in the 400-meter T62. By September of that year, the couple got engaged. In May 2022, the couple announced their partnership with Lululemon.
Their wedding in October 2022 was total perfection. The wedding involved about 200 of their family and friends. Tara and Hunter's dogs, Milo and Winnie, were ring bearers. Speaking on the day, Tara said, “This has been such a dream. Ever since we started dating, Hunter and I have talked about getting married. We truly saw each other for the rest of our lives and this is just so surreal. We've hit so many milestones together and this is the biggest one."
One year later, this joint post was shared, celebrating their love and many more years to come.
Living the Dream
Hunter and Tara celebrating after Olympic Trials win - Getty Images
Since then, the couple has shared their lives on TikTok and YouTube with over 1 million followers combined, and they have won the hearts of each one. Between traveling to track meets and training together, the two make sure to keep things fun while also being focused on their careers and their Olympic dreams.
After a close call in qualifying for the long jump finals at the Olympic Trials in June 2024, Tara was able to pull off a win and celebrate her punched ticket to Paris 2024. A few weeks later, Hunter punched his ticket to join the Paralympic team.
Hunter traveled to Paris to watch Tara compete at the Olympic Games, and Tara will no doubt do the same in a few weeks. Most recently, the couple has gone viral after Hunter’s heartwarming cheering during the long jump finals got shared online. The couple’s celebration after Tara wins gold is nothing but pure joy.
Just a few days later, the couple went viral again when Hunter planned the sweetest surprise party for Tara when she returned home from Paris. We cannot wait to see what other inspiring and tender moments come from Hunter competing in Paris. You can watch Hunter compete in the 100m T64 prelims on September 1st and the 400m T62 finals on September 6th.
The couple’s love and support for each other truly make them the Olympic-Paralympic power couple.
