"Start using that weapon earlier in the race" - Michael Johnson shares advice for Para Athletics World Championships silver-medalist Hunter Woodhall

Michael Johnson is one of the best sprinters to have ever taken to track, and it's obvious that the American has gathered some pearls of wisdom in his decorated career. Most recently, Johnson shared his learnings with para-athlete and three-time Olympic medalist Hunter Woodhall.

Woodhall recently competed at the World Para Athletics Championships, clinching silver in the T64 100m finals, finishing behind Costa Rica’s Sherman Isidro Guity. For Woodhall, this marks his fifth overall World Championships medal and first in the 100m.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) to share a video of the finals, Michael Johnson had a word of advice for the Paralympian, as he wrote:

“I’m not a coach (and would probably be a bad one) but wondering if @hunterwoodhall should skip the drive phase. As an amputee he may not get the same benefit. And his max velocity is 🔥🔥, so start using that weapon earlier in the race?”

Hunter Woodhall certainly seemed to appreciate the Olympic legend’s insights, replying to the tweet,

“🤔🤔I think you might be on to something 🤔🤔 Lemme try something at @BislettGames.”

Woodhall originally gained recognition as a sprinter when he was still in school, competing with the United States National Paralympic team as a 16-year-old. In 2016, the American competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics, when he was a high-school senior, winning a silver in the T44 200m, and a bronze in the T62 400m.

The 25-year-old then went on to become the first double-amputee track and field athlete to earn a Division I athletic scholarship when he signed with the University of Arkansas. In his collegiate career, Woodhall ran alongside able-bodied runners, becoming a three-time All-American and winning a SEC Outdoor Championships bronze in the 4x400m.

After his heroics at the collegiate level, Hunter Woodhall went on to compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, winning a bronze in the T62 400m.

Hunter Woodhall agrees with Michael Johnson's criticism of the World Relays

Outside of the track, Michael Johnson and Hunter Woodhall are both enthusiastically engaged in solving the issues surrounding the world of track and field.

Both the sprinters often discuss with fans what needs to be done to revive the dying popularity of athletics, and are often active on X. Most recently, Michael Johnson criticized the World Relays event for its lack of consideration for fans.

“World Relays is an example of a constant problem with track. Amazing event! But feels like the primary focus is providing an opportunity for athletes and federations, and fans are an after thought,” he wrote on X.

Michael Johnson went on to criticize the broadcast of the competition, and pointed out the half-empty stadiums,

“Broadcast was poor and stands were half full for an event I believe the casual fan would find incredibly entertaining. But requires a fan focused strategy. Too much of track is structured as ‘this is our event for us’. Kind of like opening a restaurant set up to serve just your family and wondering why you have no customers.”

Woodhall agreed with Johnson’s observation, retweeting the original quote and writing,

“Not wrong.”

Both Michael Johnson and Hunter Woodhall are focused on bringing change to the world of track and field and often interact on social media platforms to discuss the things needed to elevate the sport.