Tara Davis-Woodhall's puts long jump on the radar in the US with gold medal leap

(NEXSTAR) -- The United States' Tara Davis-Woodhall leaped her way to the top of the podium with a dominating long jump performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Thursday.

Face-to-face with defending gold medalist, Germany's Malaika Mihambo, Davis-Woodhall let off a monstrous 7.10m jump with her final attempt.

She became just the fourth American to win gold in women's long jump joining Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1988), Brittney Reese (2012) and Tianna Bartoletta (2016).

But for Davis-Woodhall, her gold medal is not just about making history, but also making an impact for the future.

"That's my biggest goal in life. To change the sport and get eyes on the sport," Davis-Woodhall said. "And I definitely did."

Davis-Woodhall's gold medal comes after a second-place finish at the 2023 World Championships.

Fellow countrywoman Jasmine Moore walked away with the bronze medal.