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Posted: Wednesday, September 21st, 2005 4:34 AM HST

Shark attack survivor wins surf contest

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) _ Kauai surfer Bethany Hamilton has won the O'Neill Island Girl Junior Pro, two years after a shark bit off her left arm. The 15-year-old received $1,500 after winning four heats in two-to-four foot surf at Poipu beach in Kauai this Sunday. Hamilton beat fellow Kauai surfer Leila Hurst in the final. Oahu's Alana Mock came in third followed by Big Island's Leilani Gryde. Hamilton has been wearing a special glove to facilitate her one-arm paddling since being attacked by a shark at a surf spot in Kauai in October of 2003. (Copyright 2005 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)