Hamilton picked 'Best Comeback' by an athlete

By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau

Bethany Hamilton was back surfing less than one month after being attacked by a shark. Associated Press

The awards were presented at Hollywood's Kodak Theater and will be telecast on ESPN at 3 p.m. Hawai'i time on Sunday.

The winners were selected through Internet voting by fans.

Honolulu's Michelle Wie, 14, was nominated for Best Breakthrough Athlete and Best Female Golfer. LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and pro golfer Annika Sorenstam were the winners in those two categories, respectively.

The 13-year-old Hamilton was surfing with friends at dawn Oct. 31 at the Tunnels surf site in Ha'ena when a large shark bit off most of her left arm. Fellow surfer Holt Blanchard, her best friend's dad, used a surf leash as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding as they helped her to shore.

Hamilton, now 14, was back in the water surfing by Thanksgiving, a week after her stitches were removed and less than a month after the shark attack.

"What she's done is incredible, getting back to competitive surfing," Blanchard said yesterday. "I think she's not only surprised everybody who sees her, but I think she even surprised herself. It's just amazing."

Hamilton returned to competition Jan. 10, and placed fifth in her age group in the open women division of the National Scholastic Surfing Association championships in San Clemente, Calif., last month.

The three other ESPY comeback candidates were golfer John Daly, San Jose State football player Neil Parr and Oklahoma quarterback Jason White.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808)245-3074.