Hunter Woodhall and Tara Davis Woodhall's relationship is pretty much the ultimate athletic romance. The couple won the hearts of many when Hunter was spotted celebrating his wife's gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
But now, Hunter is one to watch as he takes to the Paralympics. Already a medalist, can he take home gold as well? The athlete told NBC News that he is "feeling really good, mentally and physically," ahead of the competition. "Watching Tara in Paris was a really great visualization. So I'm prepared."
© Patrick SmithHunter puts a lot of the couple's career success down to their support for one another, as he added: "There's zero chance that we would be doing what we're doing if we didn't have each other."
Here's everything you need to know about their adorable marriage.
Hunter's Paralympic journey
© Carmen MandatoTara isn't the only athlete in their relationship, as Hunter is a track and field athlete who has won three Olympic medals. He made his Olympic debut in Rio 2016, where at aged 17 he won a bronze medal in the men's 400 meters and the silver medal in the men's 200 meters. He then won bronze at the Men's 400m T62 in the 2020 Summer Paralympics.
He is set to return for Team U.S.A. as he competes in the 100m T64 and 400m T62. Categories T61-64 see athletes "competing with prosthesis affected by limb deficiency and leg length difference," according to World Para Athletics.
Tara's gold medal
When Tara won her Olympic gold medal for Team U.S.A in the long jump, no one was happier for her than her husband.
The moment she went to celebrate with him went viral on social media, as he could be seen exclaiming as he hopped with joy before she even came over, tears in his eyes as he raised his arms and cheered.
"You're the Olympic champion!" He yelled as she practically jumped into his arms and he caught her with ease. "I'm so proud of you," he added.
Clearly his wife's biggest fan, Hunter wore a white t-shirt with the words "TEAM TARA" emblazoned - and keen-eyed fans may have noticed a medallion hanging round his neck: it looked like his own bronze medal from the 2020 Summer Paralympics.
They were long distance high school sweethearts
Hunter and Tara met at a track meet in Pocatello, Idaho. Both had come from different states, as the Paralympian is from Utah while his wife grew up in Texas. At the time, they were high school athletes - and it was love at first sight.
She immediately approached him and gave him a hug, explaining: "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.'" That was the first time they talked.
Meanwhile, for Hunter, he remembered thinking: "I'm gonna marry that girl."
They stayed in touch over social media, and started dating that summer in June 2017. That fall, they both attended different colleges: Tara was at the University of Georgia, before she transferred to the University of Texas. Meanwhile, her future husband would attend the University of Arkansas.
YouTube power couple
© Steph ChambersThe couple share a YouTube channel together called Tara and Hunter, where they share an insight into their relationship and athletic careers to over 800,000 subscribers. The channel is six years old, chronicling everything from their long distance relationship to their engagement and marriage.
Puppy love
Tara and Hunter share two dogs, Milo and Winnie, who were ring bearers at their wedding. The adorable pooches make a regular appearance on their YouTube channel and respective social media accounts.
Their adorable wedding
© @taarra InstagramThe couple married on October 16, 2022 - over a year after Hunter popped the question. They married at D'Vine Grace Vineyard in McKinney, Texas, surrounded by 200 friends and family. Their ceremony was officiated by Hunter's teammate, Trenten Merrill.
