16 March 2020

US surfer Bethany Hamilton targets 2021 elite WSL World Championship Tour after surviving shark attack

US surfer Bethany Hamilton says she is aiming to qualify for the elite 2021 WSL World Championship Tour.

The 30 year-old, who lost her arm in 2003 in a shark attack whilst surfing, is ready to take on a new challenge.

And she will be back to competing on a full-time schedule as she takes part in the 2020 WSL Qualifying Series.

"I've always had a really competitive nature," she told BBC Sport.

It was only 26 days after the attack when she was back on the board and two years after that became national champion. 

"It's kind of easy for me now because I've been doing it for so long. 

"But I think it's just a funny thing with our culture, and today everyone tends to really celebrate drama and like pain in a weird way. 

"Whereas really we should celebrate the beauty and the triumphs and overcoming," she added. 

And as she continues to train towards qualification, she knows it is important to get the most out of her sport while she can as a professional athlete.

Hamilton said: "I have two little boys and my husband is really supportive, he knows there's only a little window you can push in a professional sporting arena as a women so I'm just going to go for it. 

"One arm does changes the game a bit but it all comes down to strategy and choosing your waves correctly."

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