Tara Davis-Woodhall’s swift return to the track at the Rome Diamond League has left fans buzzing. Just after her jaw-dropping 7.1m gold medal jump in Paris, the Olympic long jump champion is already setting her sights on her first Diamond League victory.
While many expected her to take a breather and focus on cheering for her husband, Hunter Woodhall, at the Paris Paralympics, Tara has been dropping hints about trying her hand (or feet) in some new track events too. Amid the buzz, Tara Davis-Woodhall gets candid about her shocking Rome Diamond League return!
In a candid post on Threads, Tara addressed the buzz around her decision to compete again so soon. “People are asking why I’m competing after winning gold? Well, I want to see how far I can jump without the pressure of trying to win an Olympic Gold Medal,” she shared.
Her unexpected move has sparked a mix of curiosity and confusion among fans. Some think she should take a well-deserved break, while others are thrilled at the prospect of more jaw-dropping performances and potential new victories.
Davis-Woodhall’s victory came despite battling a bone bruise in her heel before the Olympics. Although many expected her to take a break, she’s gearing up to stir things up.
As Rodney Green predicted, Tara is set to compete in the long jump at the Rome Diamond League on August 30, where she’ll face off against the top four finishers from Stade de France once more.
She will be joined by fellow Olympic champions Hamish Kerr, Masai Russell, and Winfred Yavi at the Stadio Olimpico, making for a strong field with high expectations. But her comeback has more layers!
Recently, the 25-year-old athlete was spotted with a new training routine, sprinting with a heavyweight strapped to her waist. Her Instagram caption was cryptic: “The season’s not over yet. Let’s go have some fun. See you in Rome.” Could she be eyeing a shift to track events? It wouldn’t be out of the question.
Legends like Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis have excelled in both sprinting and long jump, and Tara has shown similar potential, with impressive times in the 60m hurdles and 100m earlier in her career. This buzz aligns with what track legends Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green discussed on the Ready, Set, Go podcast. On August 15, Green mentioned, “She is that talented. I won’t be surprised if I see her in the 100m…trying to do a triple.” Gatlin added, “Word on the street is that she also can hurdle a little bit too.”
Fans are also curious about how Tara will manage to support Hunter Woodhall in the Paralympics, given that his race is just days after the Rome Diamond League.
As both Tara and Hunter prepare for their respective challenges, the balancing act between Tara’s Diamond League preparation and supporting Hunter will be closely watched. Hunter’s journey to his third Paralympics hasn’t been smooth either; he’s been battling back from COVID to fight for gold!
Tara Davis-Woodhall balances the Diamond League prep while Hunter’s en route to Paris for post-COVID gold!
Hunter Woodhall’s diagnosis of COVID-19 has thrown a wrench into his preparations for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. The 25-year-old double-amputee sprinter, who was recently in Paris supporting his wife, long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall, confirmed his condition in a post on Threads on August 15. “I tested positive for COVID,” he wrote, adding, “Unfortunate timing, but I knew it was a risk being around so many celebrating/traveling. Won’t be an excuse, gonna kick this thing and I’ll be ready for the Paralympics.”
via Reuters
Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall had planned to “go home for 13 days, pack it up, [and] get some more training in for Hunter” ahead of the Paralympic Games. Despite a COVID-19 diagnosis disrupting Hunter’s training, he made a full recovery and, after testing negative, shared his recovery update: “Officially clean household. Let’s goooo. T-7 days till we head out to Paris! Will finish recovery and sharpening up.” As of August 25, he was even seen boarding his plane to the French capital.
As Tara prepares for the Rome Diamond League, her thoughts are with Hunter, and she might soon join him after her stint in the DL. His 100-meter T64 heats are on September 1, followed by the 400-meter T62 on September 6. Tara will likely return to Paris to support him, just as he supported her. Their shared commitment to excellence not only drives their performances but also inspires many. How do you think their dedication will impact their future achievements? Share your thoughts below!
