Tara Davis-Woodhall's Emotional Triumph at World Championships

Tokyo, Sep 16 (AP) — Long jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall couldn't help but smile through tears as the U.S. national anthem played in honor of her gold medal achievement at the world track and field championships.

Fully cognizant of the current struggles facing the United States, Davis-Woodhall is resolute in her hope and determination for her country. These emotions were evident in her heartfelt reaction during Monday night's ceremony in Tokyo.

"I genuinely believe in my country, even though we're going through tough times," Davis-Woodhall expressed. "It's crucial to showcase positivity and remind ourselves that we're united, all human, with one heart and mind. If we harness this unity, we can achieve greatness.

"I wholeheartedly believe in our potential," she added. The 26-year-old from California soared to a distance of 7.13 meters (23 feet, 4 3/4 inches) to clinch the world title, adding to the Olympic gold she secured last year.

These victories stem from a pivotal moment two years ago when she clinched a silver medal at the world championships in Budapest. Describing it as both "exciting and fun, yet painful," that experience fueled her and her husband, Paralympic gold-medal sprinter Hunter Woodhall, to recommit to more rigorous training, improved nutrition, and a focused approach to their goals.

Following her Olympic triumph, numerous opportunities emerged.

Widely recognized for her dynamic personality and boasting over a million Instagram followers, Davis-Woodhall nearly singlehandedly ushered in the inclusion of her event in the all-women's track circuit, Athlos.

After receiving an invitation from Athlos founder Alexis Ohanian to attend the series debut in New York, initially focused solely on track events, she made her stance clear.

"I told him, I won't attend unless field events, including mine, are part of the lineup," Davis-Woodhall shared.

Ohanian listened, and next month, Davis-Woodhall and her fellow athletes will showcase their skills in the iconic Times Square.

While she anticipates that thrilling event, the experience in Tokyo, with the gold medal draped around her neck, remains unparalleled.

"Representing African-American women and humanity at large is a profound honor," she reflected. "Wearing 'USA' across my chest is an indescribable feeling, one I will forever cherish." (AP)

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)