Hunter Woodhall Wins At Paralympics, Joining Wife As Gold Medalist: ‘Full Of Emotions’

One month after Tara Davis-Woodhall’s Olympic triumph in the long jump, her husband Hunter Woodhall, a double amputee, secured his own Paralympic gold medal at the Stade de France. The couple’s heartwarming embrace in the stands became a viral sensation during the Olympics, and now the roles were reversed with Hunter’s victory.

Woodhall clinched the T62 400 meters title in a blistering time of 46.36 seconds, outpacing his competitors from Germany and the Netherlands. His journey to this triumph was marked by setbacks, including missing the Para world championships due to malfunctioning prosthetics.

Reflecting on his win, Woodhall expressed his overwhelming emotions, stating, “This is like a fever dream. I am so full of emotions right now. It is so incredible. I have been waiting so long and gone through so much stress and worry about achieving this. When I crossed the line, I was like, ‘Am I really first this time or am I still dreaming?'”

An End to Dutch Dominance in Wheelchair Tennis

Yui Kamiji made history by sweeping the women’s wheelchair tennis events at the Paris Paralympics. She defeated Dutch favorite Diede De Groot in a thrilling singles final and clinched the doubles title with her Japanese teammate Manami Tanaka.

Speaking about her remarkable achievement, Kamiji expressed her elation, saying, “I just can’t describe how big this is. Yesterday, after the doubles match ended, I wasn’t satisfied. I started to think about the singles.”

Since wheelchair tennis’s inception in the Paralympics in 1992, Dutch players had dominated the women’s singles and doubles events, making Kamiji’s triumph even more significant.

Jincheng Earns 4th Swimming Gold

Chinese swimmer Guo Jincheng continued his stellar performance at the Games by securing his fourth gold medal in the S5 50-meter butterfly, setting a world and Paralympics record. His unique swimming style, reminiscent of a dolphin, has captured international attention and admiration.

Guo’s dominance in the pool has been a highlight of these Games, with his impressive medal haul and record-breaking swims.

Storey Wins Her 19th Gold

British cycling star Sarah Storey added another gold medal to her illustrious collection by winning the women’s C4-5 road race. The 46-year-old athlete showcased her tactical acumen and experience in a thrilling sprint finish to claim victory.

Storey’s remarkable career spans multiple Paralympic Games, with her success on both the track and road solidifying her status as a cycling legend.

China Sets World Records in Relay

China made headlines by setting a world record in the 4×100 universal relay, showcasing the team’s exceptional talent and teamwork. The mixed-gender and mixed-disability race highlighted the diversity and inclusivity of Paralympic sports.

The relay event featured athletes with various disabilities, culminating in a thrilling display of speed and skill.

Iran Wins Sitting Volleyball

Iran continued its dominance in sitting volleyball by claiming a second successive gold medal, defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final. The Iranian team showcased their skill and teamwork to secure another Paralympic title.

Notably, Morteza Mehrzadselakjani, known as the world’s second-tallest man, played a pivotal role in Iran’s victory with his exceptional performance on the court.

For more Paralympic updates and news, visit AP Paralympics.