The timing couldn’t be any worse for Tara Davis-Woodhall. She was feeling stronger than ever, training hard and looking forward for a good performance in Budapest. Except, a head-on car collision that occurred while she was on her way to train, put everything on hold. Now, she has opened up about the incident, even sharing a chilling footage of the crash.

The dashcam footage she shared on Instagram gives a pretty unsettling look at what happened. It shows another vehicle coming across Davis-Woodhall’s way before the two cars collide head-on. She later mentioned that they were going at 20mph when the accident happened.

She made it clear that she was “lucky and blessed to be alive” and grateful to have escaped without life-threatening injuries. But that doesn’t mean she walked away from the crash unscathed.

The media she shared on her Instagram showed her arms covered in bruises. She suffered a concussion too. However, she mentioned that the physical damage was only part of what she has been dealing with.

“I’m physically okay. Mentally, it’s just something’s going on in there,” she said.

It is truly understandable that she would be feeling low. This entire accident and recovery threatens her highly anticipated participation in a massive upcoming international competition.

The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship is officially scheduled for September 11-13 in Budapest. The massive event carries a record $10 million prize pot, with individual champions set to receive a staggering $150,000 payout. Davis-Woodhall was heavily promoted as a lead content creator and “Ultimate Star” for this prestigious gathering. But now, everything is on the line she admits. 

“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.” 

Ever since the accident, she hasn’t been able to train.

“I haven’t trained at all due to [the crash]. I’ve seen my doctors and my physios, and everyone’s just trying to get me back into it,” she said. 

She has been honest about how difficult that has been.“I’m pretty down right now and am trying to work out how best to get back on the horse.” 

What makes the timing brutal is also the fact that Davis-Woodhall thought she was in exceptional shape before the accident, describing herself as faster and stronger than ever.

“It’s really unfortunate timing,” she said. “I’m at the peak of my training right now. I’m as fast as I’ve ever been. I’m as strong as I’ve ever been.”

And there was plenty of evidence behind the confidence. She famously captured Olympic gold at Paris 2024 before securing the world title in Tokyo the following year. The world’s top-ranked women’s long jumper recently produced a legal 7.20-meter personal best at the USATF LA Grand Prix in June. She subsequently edged Italy’s Larissa Iapichino by a single centimeter to win the Prefontaine Classic in July. She has the momentum to take on Budapest, only for it to be put on hold now. 

But she knows, though, that there is no rushing a recovery from a concussion. With the Ultimate Championship just around the corner, she is taking the situation one day at a time.

“This decision is very difficult for me,” Davis-Woodhall said. “I don’t know where I am right now. So, day by day.”

If she cannot recover in time, her absence would be a major blow to an event built around athletics’ biggest names. But, as news of the crash spread, the long jump champion was met with an outpouring of support from across the track and field community.

Support Pours In for Tara Davis-Woodhall After Scary Crash

Her Instagram comments quickly filled with messages from some of the sport’s biggest names, all relieved that the accident had not resulted in more serious injuries.

Olympic champion Gabby Thomas was among the first to react, making it clear where Davis-Woodhall’s priorities should be right now. “This is so scary!! Recovery first. Glad you’re okay ❤️❤️,” Thomas wrote.

Allyson Felix also sent her support, reflecting the relief felt by many who saw the footage. “So glad you are okay. Sending love!🫶🏾,” the track and field legend commented.

Twanisha Terry echoed those sentiments while wishing Davis-Woodhall a smooth recovery. “Glad there weren’t any major injuries, wishing you a speedy recovery! 🫶🏾” she wrote.

For Nikki Hiltz, seeing the footage appeared to underline just how frightening the incident could have been. “Omg SO scary 😭 so glad you’re okay ❤️‍🩹sending you the best recovery energy ✨,” Hiltz commented.

Masai Russell kept her message short but heartfelt, simply writing, “❤️ glad your ok.”

Alexis Ohanian, who has long been involved in supporting athletes and women’s sports, also joined the chorus of encouragement. “Send all the best vibes and prayers,” he wrote.

And then there was the message closest to home. Davis-Woodhall’s husband, Hunter Woodhall, responded to her post with a simple “❤️” – a brief message that nonetheless carried plenty of weight after such a frightening incident.

For Davis-Woodhall, those messages offered a reminder that she has plenty of people in her corner. But with Budapest approaching fast, the biggest question remains unanswered: will the reigning Olympic and world champion be healthy enough to take the runway?

The decorated long jumper will lean heavily on this massive support system as the 2026 athletic calendar progresses toward the mid-September championships.