xtremesport4u

Did you read my article on Bethany Hamilton several weeks ago? 7th November to be exact.

Five years after surviving a shark attack, she is a runner-up for a world championship. Bethany was placed second in the women’s division of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships yesterday at Sydney, Australia. This is the event which is considered the world championship for surfers aged 20 and under.

Pauline Ado of France beat Hamilton in a hard-fought final, 13.43-12.47. Ado, 17, made ASP history as the first non-Australian female to claim the undisputed ASP Junior World Title, defeating opponent Bethany Hamilton, Hawaii, 18, in a hard-fought Final at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.

“I’m speechless,” Ado said. “I am so stoked. This is a dream come true. I can’t believe that I won. When I woke up this morning, I never imagined that this would happen.”

Hamilton, who lost her left arm during a Tiger Shark attack at home in Kauai in 2003, put in an inspirational performance, besting heavy event favourites Laura Enever (AUS), 17, and Leila Hurst (HAW), 16, before falling short to Ado in the Final. She is the first Hawai’i surfer to reach the final of the women’s division of the World Junior Championships.

“I’m really happy with my performance at this event,” said Hamilton, 18. “To make the final is really good for me. I haven’t had a good result in a while, so hopefully this will give me some confidence for the rest of the year.”

She will now compete on the World Qualifying Series in 2009 in an attempt to qualify for the elite Women’s World Tour.