Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Bethany Hamilton, 13, finished fifth in her age group at a national surfing contest this week, less than three months after a shark bit off her left arm. The director of the competition offered to match up the onetime champion against weaker surfers in early rounds to help her reach the finals, but she refused. “She wanted to be treated like anybody else,” organizer Bobbi Lee said. Bethany was attacked by a 15-foot tiger shark on Oct. 31. She nearly bled to death, but was surfing again within a month. Bethany said she was pleased with her return to competitive surfing, although she had trouble pushing herself onto her feet with just one hand. “It was definitely a good start,” she said.
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