Paralympic Swimmer Earns Silver, Breaks Record 16 Months After Losing Leg in Shark Attack

In an extraordinary display of resilience and determination, 24-year-old American swimmer Ali Truwit claimed two silver medals at the Paralympics, just 16 months after losing her leg in a horrific shark attack. Competing in Paris, Truwit earned silver in both the women’s 100m backstroke S10 and the women’s 400-meter freestyle S10, where she set a new American record with a time of 4:31.39.

“It’s a real full circle moment and speaks to the support I have all around me,” Truwit said after her remarkable performance. “When you are truly faced with death and you understand what a second chance at life means, you want to make the most of it.”

Her journey to the Paralympics began in May 2023, when a dream vacation in Turks and Caicos turned into a nightmare. While swimming off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Truwit was attacked by a shark. She fought off the animal and managed to swim 70 meters to a nearby boat, where she was rushed to a hospital and airlifted to receive urgent medical care.

Despite doctors saving her life, Truwit lost her foot and part of her leg, but her story didn’t end there. Just six months after the attack, she was back in the water, training with relentless determination. Truwit’s focus on gratitude and resilience carried her through what could have been an overwhelming ordeal.

Here’s why her journey stands out:

• Two-time Paralympic medalist: Truwit’s silver medal victories in the 100m backstroke and 400-meter freestyle demonstrate her unmatched drive, with her new American record standing as a testament to her relentless effort.

• Surviving a shark attack: In the face of a life-threatening attack, Truwit’s quick instincts and survival skills helped her escape and later endure multiple surgeries to save her life.

• Support system: From her friend Sophie, who tied a tourniquet on her leg, to Hannah, a medical student at the trauma hospital where she was treated, Truwit credits her close-knit support network for helping her navigate her recovery and return to competitive swimming.

“I think my parents have done an incredible job raising me and my three brothers to be adaptable, to try and look for the positives in life and appreciate all we have been given,” Truwit said. “When I was faced with a life-changing trauma, I worked to see the positive and focus on gratitude.”

Truwit’s perseverance, along with her drive to overcome adversity, is an inspiring story of how determination and community support can push the boundaries of what’s possible. Reflecting on her journey, she remains humble and thankful, acknowledging that the path to recovery wasn’t easy, but one that has brought her immense personal growth.

As she continues to inspire countless others, Ali Truwit is living proof that even the most challenging circumstances can lead to remarkable achievements. Her incredible comeback shows that with the right mindset, there is no limit to what one can achieve, even after a life-altering event.

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