Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall got a big surprise when she came home. Her husband, Hunter Woodhall, threw her a party to celebrate her gold medal win. The touching moment has gone viral online, making many people happy.
Olympic Glory Meets Heartwarming Homecoming
Tara won her first gold medal in long jump at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. She and Hunter, who is a Paralympic sprinter, shared their joy online. But the best was yet to come.
Hunter posted a video on TikTok showing him getting ready for Tara’s surprise. He got red, white, and blue balloons to match the American flag. “I made it home and we’re going to throw a surprise party for Tara,” he wrote.
Gold Medal Celebration Takes Flight
When Tara landed in Arkansas, she was dancing with her medal. She even gave it a name – Philippe. “The gold medal has made it home. You’re in Arkansas, Philippe,” she said happily.
The real surprise came when Tara got to her favorite pizza place in Springdale. A big group of friends and family were waiting for her. She was so shocked she could only say “Whoa” before she started crying. Everyone was cheering and blowing horns.
Love Story Born on the Track
Tara and Hunter’s love story began at a high school track meet. They were both seniors then. Tara noticed Hunter getting ready for a race and thought he was cute. She didn’t know he had prosthetic legs at first.
Hunter was born with a condition that meant his legs had to be removed when he was a baby. He used prosthetic legs at first, then switched to blades so he could run.
From First Sight to Forever
Hunter told his friend he was going to marry Tara the day he saw her. The next day, Tara gave Hunter a hug after his race. They talked while getting their medals and hit it off right away.
Tara made the first move online, sending Hunter a message on Instagram. Even though they lived far apart, their love grew. They got engaged in 2021 and married in 2022 in Texas.
Now, Hunter is getting ready for his own big moment. He’ll compete in track events at the Paralympics in Paris, starting August 28.
