Tara Davis and Hunter Woodhall's Relationship: All About the Olympic Couple’s Romance

Mar. 15, 2025

Tara Davis and Hunter Woodhall.Photo:Hunter Woodhall/Instagram

Hunter Woodhall/Instagram

Tara DavisandHunter Woodhallthrived in the spotlight at the2024 Paris Olympics, but the athletes’ love story started with humble beginnings when they met at a high school track meet in 2017.From their initial meeting to managing a long-distance relationship during college, Davis and Woodhall have faced numerous challenges and demands of competitive sports. Through consistent communication, trust and mutual respect, they have stayed together, eventuallymarrying in 2022and competing on the world stage for the second time at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Davis is known for her achievements in the long jump and hurdles, while Woodhall has earned acclaim as a Paralympic medalist. Born with fibular hemimelia, which led to the amputation of his lower legs at 11 months, Woodhall has set new records and inspired many with hisresilience and determination.

Here’s everything to know about Tara Davis and Hunter Woodhall’s relationship.

Davis made the first move

Hunter Woodhall and Tara Davis.Tara Davis/Instagram

Tara Davis/Instagram

While Davis grew up in Texas and Woodhall in Utah, the couple met across state lines in February 2017 at a track meet in Pocatello, Idaho. Both high school athletes at the time, Davis approached Hunter and embraced him.

“I stepped onto the track and said, ‘I don’t know why I have to do this, but I have to give you a hug,’ " Davis toldTown & Countryin August 2024. “And that was the first time we talked.”

For Woodhall, he remembered thinking, “I’m gonna marry that girl,” the athlete said in aYouTube videoreminiscing on their first encounter.

They started dating in 2017

Tara Davis and Hunter Woodhall.Hunter Woodhall/Instagram

After their initial meeting, Davis and Woodhall followed each other on social media, stayed in touch and officially started dating that summer in June 2017.

Although they both started college at different universities that fall — Davis at the University of Georgia before transferring to the University of Texas, and Woodhall at the University of Arkansas — they stayed together through the distance, perTown & Country.

They balanced their long-distance relationship with communication and trust

Tara Davis and Hunter Woodhall.Tara Davis/Instagram

Although Davis and Woodhall remained together throughout their respective college experiences, the distance wasn’t always easy, and required consistent effort from both athletes to make it work.

The athlete added that there have been “countless situations” where each had been at fault, but they “learned from those lessons” and continually work to “grow [their] relationship.” Davis shared that they always try to empathize and listen to the other side of the argument. “We try not to tell each other how we should feel,” she explained.

While the Arkansas-based pair are no longer doing long distance, they still work on communicating and prioritizing their relationship amidst the demands of being professional athletes.

“One of the things that’s really important is understanding how to communicate on both sides,” Woodhall told PEOPLE in June 2022. “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.”

They’re both Olympic athletes

Carmen Mandato/Getty ; Abbie Parr/Getty

“This will be [Woodhall’s] second Paralympics, but for me, it was my dream. It was my Olympic dream. That’s my dream,” Davis told PEOPLE in August 2021. “And to experience at a time andbe a couple that are Olympiansis just insane.”

Davis placed sixth in the women’s long jump, and Woodhall won a bronze medal in the men’s 400-meter dash.

The pair returned to the world stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Davissecured gold in the women’s long jumpand Woodhall won thegold medal in the men’s 400m T62.

“We’ve just been thinking about this moment for so long,” Davis told PEOPLE after her husband’s big race. “I didn’t really want to process [my win] a month ago becauseI wanted to do it together.”

They married in October 2022

Tara Davis celebrates with Hunter Woodhall on day nine of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials on June 26, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon.Steph Chambers/Getty

Steph Chambers/Getty

After gettingengaged during a romantic getawayin Mexico in September 2021, Davis and Woodhall wed on Oct. 16, 2022, at D’Vine Grace Vineyard in McKinney, Texas.

“This has been such a dream,” Davis told PEOPLE in October 2022. “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.”

In a jointInstagram postin October 2023, the duo commemorated their first wedding anniversary.

They share their lives on YouTube

Hunter Woodhall and Tara Davis.Hunter Woodhall/Instagram

When Davis and Woodhall are not competing on the field, they post on social media to connect with fans.

The two share their experiences as a couple and professional athletes on their YouTube channel, giving their nearly 800,000 subscribers an intimate first look at training sessions, personal milestones and details of their relationship.

In avideo postedin August 2024, they vlogged the days leading up to Davis’ first competition at the Paris games, “We’re at our Second Olympics. Together this time.,” emphasizing that while it’s their second Olympic stint, it’s the first they can cheer for each other on the stands without COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

“Last time at the Olympics we weren’t able to be together but everything is different now,” the video caption reads. “We get to watch and support each other.”

They push each other to be their best

Tara Davis-Woodhall of the United States celebrates her silver medal win with Hunter Woodhall after the Women’s Long Jump Final during the World Athletics Championships on August 20, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary.Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty

Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty

Whether celebrating personal victories or facing challenges, Davis and Woodhall aren’t shy about motivating each other.

When Davis finished in sixth place at the Tokyo Olympics, Woodhall shared onInstagramhis appreciation and support for his wife’s achievements as an athlete and individual.

“To compete at the Olympics is one thing, to be disappointed at finishing 6th in a world filled with 7 billion people is another. It shows how driven you are and how motivated you are to be the best,” he wrote, adding, “You are my hero.”

In July 2024, when Woodhallset a new American Recordin the men’s T62 400-meter race, Davis shared aheartfelt poston Instagram, celebrating his resilience and athleticism.

“This season you have worked so hard to be the best version of Hunter Woodhall you could be! Time and time again you have overcome challenges that many athletes or humans have never faced,” she wrote. “You are the definition of inspirational.”

A moment they shared at the 2024 Olympics went viral

KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images

After Daviswon gold in the women’s long jump final,she ran straight into Woodhall’s arms as he told her, “Babe, you’re the Olympic champion!” The sweet moment between the couple went viral online, though Davis told PEOPLE she doesn’t spend a lot of time on social media herself.

“Everyone’s been telling me the whole world’s been seeing it, [but]that’s just Hunter and I. He’s my biggest supporter, and I guess the whole world got to see how much he supports me,” she said.

Davis is already prepared to root for Woodhall in the Paralympics when the couple returns to Paris at the end of August.

“I’ve been telling everyone that — watch the Paralympics! It’s going to be a special show,” she said. “Team USA is coming with a vengeance, and we’re going to dominate this year."

source: people.com