Everyone knows Bethany Hamilton’s story. Back in 2003, when she was just 13, she lost her arm in a shark attack. Since then, she’s become one of the most inspiring people on the planet. And as a wildcard in the Fiji Pro, she just tacked another notch on her wall of achievements. In the second round at Cloudbreak, Bethany Hamilton eliminated Tyler Wright, who is leading the women’s leader board, and she was just getting warmed up.
Tyler Wright has been a dominant force on the tour this year, winning three out of four events. In her entire career, this is only the second time she’s lost in round two. Shortly after, in round three, Bethany Hamilton advanced through to the quarter finals by beating six-time world champ Stephanie Gilmore and Johanne Defay, who is currently sitting at number seven in the ratings. Hamilton took the lead early and kept a stranglehold on her competitors for most of the heat.
“Stephanie, Tyler and Carissa are three of my favorite female surfers, so it was daunting knowing I had Stephanie in my heat,” Hamilton said after her win. Tyler Wright wasn’t all that concerned about her loss. If she’s going to lose, losing to Bethany, who is one of her closest friends, is the preferred option. “She’s the greatest human probably ever,” Wright said in a post-heat interview. Hamilton shared the same sentiment: “I’m pulling for her to win the world title this year,” she said. “She’s one of my favorite humans in the world.”
Watch the Fiji Pro live on WorldSurfLeague.com.
