Bethany Hamilton Withdraws From ESPY Nomination For Best Female Athlete With Disability

Bethany Hamilton has forfeited her nomination from ESPY Nomination for Best Female Athlete with Disability.

According to E news, the professional surfer has backed out from being nominated in ESPY. The surfer informed ESPN that she was thankful and appreciative of the nomination but didn't feel it was a good fit for her, so ESPN removed her from the category upon her request.

She had been previously nominated along with marathon racer Tatyana McFadden, volleyball player Heather Erickson, cross-country skier Oksana Masters and cyclist Shawn Morelli.

Back in 2004, Bethany Hamilton won the ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete for her determination and courage when she continued surfing after the incident she had with the tiger shark on October 31, 2003. 

The 26-year old surfer lost her arm at the young age of 13 during a morning surf along Tunnels Beach, Kuai by a shark attack. The surfer was lying on her surfboard with her left arm dangling before the 14-foot shark bit her.

According to Hamilton, she felt a lot of pressure and a couple of lightning tugs as she watched in shock while the water around her was turning red. The surfer was surprised that she stayed calm as her left arm was gone almost to the armpit along with a huge crescent shaped chunk of her red, white and blue surfboard. The accident has not destroyed the surfer but has made her stronger. 

As proof, Hamilton inspired people professionally by writing a memoir entitled "Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith,Family, and Fighting to Get Back on The Board," which later was made into a film.

Bethany Hamilton also got married to her Christian youth minister fiánce Adam Dirks on the island of Kauai. The pair had a small intimate ceremony for their wedding. The duo met on 2012 and has been in love ever since.