Tara Davis-Woodhall will end her season abruptly following a head-on car collision that left her with a concussion and derailed her training plan.
In a message posted on social media on Monday, the Olympic and world champion made the announcement just days before the inaugural Ultimate Championship in Budapest where she was set to compete in the women’s long jump.
“Did not think I’d be making this post. After careful consideration with my team, we have decided to end the 2026 season,” Davis-Woodhall said. “This one hurts. I’m sad, disappointed and just hurt by all of it. I know this has to be part of my story. There has to be a reason for this. I’ll never questions Gods path for me. I WILL BE BACK. Just a hitch in my giddy-up.
Last Wednesday, Davis-Woodhall, 27, posted photos of injuries to her from the accident while a video showed a car quickly swerving into the path of the vehicle she was traveling in as she drove in a parking lot.
The front of both cars sustained extensive damage with their airbags deployed and Hunter Woodhall, her husband, was also shown at the scene.
“Last week I was involved in a head on collision on my way to practice,” Davis-Woodhall said in her first post about the incident. Luckily I walked away without any major injuries. However, a severe concussion and other injuries have not allowed me to train. At this point I’m working with my team and doctors to get healthy, but I’m not sure if I will be ready to compete at Ultimate Championships next week. More updates to come.”
It is unclear if the accident occurred in Manhattan, Kansas where the couple lives and trains.
Davis-Woodhall was among the marquee names billed to appear at the Ultimate Championship, which begins on Friday at Gyula Zsivotzky National Athletics Centre in Budapest. She would have competed in a loaded women’s long jump field that will see Thea LaFond, Davisleydi Velazco, Saly Sarr, Leyanis Pérez, Liadagmis Povea, Dariya Derkach, Ackelia Smith and Gabriele Santos battle for a title that’s now wide open in her absence.
Meanwhile, the decision to end the season also means that Davis-Woodhall will not defend her long jump title at Athlos in London on September 18. At the second Athlos event in New York last October, she won the long jump after pushing organizers to include field events in the competition.
Among the flood of comments in her social media post on Tuesday, Athlos founder Alexis Ohanian offered encouragement to Davis-Woodhall, who will use the long offseason to focus on her recovery.
“We’re so proud of you and totally understand and support your decision,” Ohanian said. “Please still join us in the crowd at London.”
