Tara Davis-Woodhall makes a sand angel after winning gold in the long jump. (Credit: @TeamUSA on X)

Tara Davis-Woodhall makes a sand angel after winning gold in the long jump.

Credit: @TeamUSA on X

Former University of Georgia athletes Tara Davis-Woodhall and Jasmine Moore claimed gold and bronze, respectively, in the long jump. 

Moore competed at UGA for two seasons in 2020 and 2021 while Davis-Woodhall was there in 2017. 

Jasmine Moore celebrates her bronze medal in the long jump. (Credit: @TeamUSA on X)

Jasmine Moore celebrates her bronze medal in the long jump.

Credit: @TeamUSA on X

Davis-Woodhall, 25, came into the event as the favorite having jumped over seven meters at every competition since February and been unbeaten. She won her first championship this year at the World Indoor Championship. Now, she’s added another one with Olympic gold. 

Davis-Woodhall achieved this remarkable win with a jump of 7.10 meters. Beginning her day of competition with a strong 6.93m jump, she improved in subsequent rounds, jumping 7.05m in the second round, 6.95 in the third and 7.10m in the fourth. By the time Davis-Woodhall reached the sixth round, she was the last jumper and had not been surpassed by anyone. She jumped 6.68m, but it didn’t matter: she was an Olympic champion. She fell to the ground and made a sand angel, celebrating her achievement. 

“I’ve been saying this, I’ve dreamed of this moment my entire life — four years old when I started track and field,” Davis-Woodhall said. “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.”

She celebrated with her husband, Paralympian Hunter Woodhall, who will be competing in the T62 400m. Their joyous celebration at the field was to be continued later, Davis-Woodhall noted.

“We’ll have some tequila shots or something,” Davis-Woodhall said. 

Moore also had an incredible night as she jumped 6.96m to secure the bronze. With her bronze in the long jump as well as her bronze in the triple jump, she became the first American to medal in both. It’s a remarkable achievement for the 23-year-old Texan. 

“I am so over the moon,” Moore said. “I am so thankful and grateful. I was so nervous out here, because it was such a quick turnaround, but I trusted myself, and my body felt good. … This meeting has been a dream. Two Olympic medals, two bronze medals. I am so thankful.”

Germany’s Malaika Mihambo claimed silver with a jump of 6.98m. 

This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Rough Draft Atlanta.

Tags: Olympics  Georgia  University of Georgia