Tara Davis-Woodhall advances to World Athletics Championships 2025 final at first try

The United States' Tara Davis-Woodhall secured her place in the finals of the women's long jump at the World Athletics Championships 2025. She is aiming to earn her first gold medal at the World Championships, having previously won silver at the 2023 edition held in Budapest.

The 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist earned her place in the finals on her first attempt in the qualifications with a jump of 6.88. She was placed in Group A of the qualifications.

Earlier, Tara Davis-Woodhall had qualified for the World Athletics Championships, following her first-place finish at the USA Track and Field Championships, which took place at the Hayward Field in Eugene. She dominated the event, jumping a whopping 7.12m. Her competitors, Claire Bryant and Quanesha Burks, who achieved 6.97m and 6.90m respectively, also booked their spots at the World Athletics Championship finals in Tokyo.

She also impressed at the Prefontaine Classic 2025 earlier this year in July, where she won the women's long jump, with a best jump of 7.07m. Malaika Mihambo and Claire Bryant collected second and third places at the event, with jumps of 7.01m and 6.80m.

Tara Davis-Woodhall's husband Hunter Woodhall reflects on Olympic champion's moment in Tokyo that shaped her journey

Tara Davis-Woodhall at the 2025 Diamond League - BAUHAUS-galan. Source: Getty

Tara Davis-Woodhall's husband, Hunter Woodhall, shared a heartfelt message for the Olympic champion ahead of her participation at the World Athletics Championships 2025. Back in 2021, Davis-Woodhall failed to secure a podium finish at the Tokyo Olympics, in the same stadium that will be hosting the World Championships. Hunter shared how the experience shaped her and how she returned stronger. In an Instagram post, he wrote:

"Redemption. Back in stadium that shaped you. I remember watching you compete here in 2021 from Arkansas just wishing I could hold you. Now coming back I am grateful for all the challenges because they shaped the athlete you walked in as today. You are ready. You are her. Go do what you do best. You're made for this."

At the Tokyo Olympics, Tara Davis-Woodhall made her Olympic debut but finished sixth. Three years later, she became an Olympic champion in Paris with a best effort of 7.10m to defeat the Tokyo gold medalist Malaika Mihambo of Germany (6.98m).

Her husband Hunter is also a Paralympic gold medalist, which he achieved at the Paris Paralympics in the men's 400m T62.

About the author

Abhiruchi is a US Olympics journalist at Sportskeeda, specializing in Athletics, Swimming, Gymnastics, and Wrestling among other sports. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and has over 2 years of prior experience in the sports journalism sector.

Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy are Abhiruchi’s favorite Olympians. She began following them in 2018, and seeing their transformation from initially not wanting to play together to becoming the world's top-ranked men's doubles pair inspires her.

Track & Field excites Abhiruchi the most because of the diverse range of events involved in it. Neeraj Chopra's historic performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics stands as her favorite Olympic moment as it was India’s first gold in track and field events. She feels that focus should be placed on up-and-coming athletes to increase the coverage of Olympic sports during the off-season.

Abhiruchi applies journalistic principles learnt while pursuing her Bachelor’s degree by prioritizing first-hand information, cross-checking via multiple reliable sources, and fact-checking for accuracy. She follows reputed sources and numerous established athletes on social media platforms to remain updated.

When not reporting, Abhiruchi enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

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Edited by Abhiruchi Rout