US Paralympic swimmer wins silver, sets new record 16 months after losing leg to shark

Former American college swimmer Ali Truwit proves that never giving up pays off. She recently won two silver medals at the Paralympic Games, 16 months after losing her leg to a shark.

The 24-year-old swimmer competed in Paris and won silver in the 100m backstroke women S10 on September 6 and the ladies S10 400 meter freestylesetting a new American record in the last with a time of 4:31.39, CNN reported.

“It’s a real full circle moment and it’s a testament to the support I have all around me,” Truwit told reporters after her race. “When you’re really faced with death and you understand what a second chance at life means, you want to make the most of it.”

“Every day there’s something new I learn, that brings back a new memory of the attack,” she added. “Because I was conscious the whole time. Honestly, at first I thought it would be something where I would overcome the fear and that was it.”

“I’ve learned from this journey that this is not what this journey looks like,” Truwit continued. “That there are going to be days that it’s amazing and there are going to be days that I have to fight to get that love back. But I would say I’m at 90:10 right now of feeling really comfortable and happy in the water and I’m grateful to be there.”

Ali Truwit is simply incredible 🌟#ParisParalympics photo.twitter.com/m970lHnAer

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) September 5, 2024

In May 2023, Truwit was swimming in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Turks and Caicos on vacation when she was attacked by the shark. She managed to fend off the animal and swam about 230 feet (70 meters) to a boat before being airlifted to hospital, CNN reported.

“I think it was survival instinct. It was a terrible day, it’s a terrible memory. It was shocking, terrifying, but I’m alive, I’m here and I’m going to make the best of it,” Truwit said.

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Doctors were able to save her life, but the swimmer ultimately lost her foot and part of her leg in the attack. She underwent three operations and returned to the water six months later, now a two-time silver medalist.

Truwit could never have gotten where she is today without her perseverance, but she says she has received support from her loved ones, friends and family.

“Sophie, who was in the water with me and put a tourniquet on my leg and saved my life, is in the stands, as is Hannah, who did her medical school internship at the trauma hospital that I was airlifted to,” Truwit said after the race. “I’m so lucky for them and everyone else in the stands.”

“I think my parents did an incredible job of raising me and my three brothers to be adaptable people, to try to see the positives in life and to appreciate everything we were given,” she added.When I was faced with a life-changing trauma, I tried to see the positive and focus on gratitude, and that carried me.”

Related: US Closes Olympic Swimming with Another Gold Medal and New World Record