Julius OkorieAmerican Tara Davis-Woodhall upgraded her Silver medal won at the Tokyo Olympics to Gold at the Paris Olympics on Thursday night.
The 25-year-old posted 7.10 metres in women’s long jump to take the title from Tokyo Olympic gold medallist and three-time world champion, Malaika Mihambo, of Germany who claimed silver with 6.98m. American Jasmine Moore, jumped 6.96m to secure bronze.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIt was a no stress situation for Davis-Woodhall as she sealed victory before her final jump. She stood up briefly after landing, then fell back into the sand with a wide smile to the delight of the Stade de France crowd, who appreciated her with a clap offering.
For Woodhall, it was a dream come true and nothing could have been sweeter than realising the dream with the entire world watching.
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“I’ve been saying this, I’ve dreamed of this moment my entire life – four years old when I started track and field,” said Davis-Woodhall, who is unbeaten this year and has jumped beyond seven metres in every competition since February. “I’ve been telling myself all year: 8-0-8, that’s the day we win the Olympics. 8-0-8, that’s the day.
Asked about having her husband, US Paralympian Hunter Woodhall, the T62 400m bronze medallist at the Tokyo Paralympics, with her, she responded: “It’s everything. We’ve worked so hard this season. I’m so excited to come back for the Paralympics, I’ll be here supporting him just like he’s here supporting me. I just can’t wait, it’ll be very special.”
On the subject of tattooing the word ‘sacrifice’ on her torso she added: “It’s the first word I even learned. I have sacrificed so much for my life, since the age that I can remember. It’s been a lot.”
As for her proposed celebration: “I got to go find my husband, we’ll have some tequila shots or something.”
Ese Brume of Nigeria finished fifth with a sixth-round best of 6.70m, one place ahead of the United States’ Monae Nichols, who reached 6.67m.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
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